High School History Recap
The High School History Recap podcast was started by two passionate teachers from South Africa who realised the value of taking history teaching and learning beyond the confines of the textbook and classroom. Their recipe includes constructive conversations with learners and experts alike. William and Colin investigate topics covered in most history classrooms but also ask questions about how best to teach and learn these topics. They cover the "what to teach", "how to teach", "how we learn", and "thinking tools" of history teaching and learning. Find them on any podcast player platform like Apple or Spotify. Let's share the love for history. Find us on Twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis. Our email address is highschoolhistoryrecap@gmail.com.
High School History Recap
#13 Reevaluating World War II: Stalin's War with Prof Sean McMeekin
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William H Palk, Colin du Plessis and Prof Sean McMeekin
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Season 4
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Episode 13
Join us for a conversation with Prof Sean McMeekin on his new book Stalin's War: A New History of World War II. This is a very timely discussion in light of the unfolding war in Ukraine.
Some of the points of discussion:
- How is Stalin’s War different from the conventional Hitler-centric account of World War II?
- How is it possible to even write a new history of World War II 77 years after the fact?
- Is the way we teach World War II unbalanced?
- How likely was the Hitler-Stalin pact?
- What are the main differences between fascism and communism?
- How much of a surprise was it when Germany invaded the Soviet Union?
- How much of the Nazi defeat can be attributed to Stalin’s planning?
- What are the gaps in the conventional Hitler-centric account of the lead-up to the outbreak of World War II?
- Are there similarities between the invasion of Poland before World War II and the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine?
- What about Japan’s role in the outbreak of World War II?
- What are the circumstances around “Poland’s betrayal” at Tehran?
- What did Stalin want to get out of World War II?
- Is Stalin a model for Putin?
- Is Putin trying to establish the Soviet Union?
- Why didn’t NATO seize to exist when the Soviet Union collapsed?