What If? | A Lasting Peace at Tilsit (Republish)
15-Minute History14 Juli 2025

What If? | A Lasting Peace at Tilsit (Republish)

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on July 12, 2021.

___

The raft floated in the midst of the River Niemen. On it were two beautiful pavilions, one for the Emperor of the French and the other for the Czar and Autocrat of All the Russias. In the French tent, Napoleon Bonaparte argued with his foreign minister, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, over how harsh the peace terms with the defeated Russians should be. Talleyrand, a servant of every revolutionary government since 1789, was a snake in silk stockings, but he knew foreign policy better than anyone else in the emperor’s entourage. He begged the emperor to treat Russia gently and put an end to fifteen years of war. But Napoleon, flush with the victory at Friedland earlier that year, was determined to humiliate Alexander I, and Talleyrand, ever the obedient servant in public, fell silent. What if Napoleon had heeded Talleyrand’s advice in 1807 and treated the Russians with more respect? What would our world look like today if history had taken a different course? In this series of bonus episodes on “15-Minute History,” Joe and I will be sharing some of our favorite “What If?” scenarios from this series with you. Building on the theme of Season Four, learning from history, we hope to provide some lessons on how individuals shape the destinies of large groups and entire nations.

Avsnitt(462)

Pop Quiz - Iran, then and now

Pop Quiz - Iran, then and now

With events in Iran moving hour by hour, Joe asked about the Iranian Revolution of 1979, how that regime could hold onto the country for so long, and why we are now seeing a possible change in governm...

15 Jan 7min

"Daring Mighty Things" | The Panama Canal and American Intervention in Latin America

"Daring Mighty Things" | The Panama Canal and American Intervention in Latin America

Over a century ago, the United States blasted its way through a continent in one of the largest engineering projects in world history. The Panama Canal's construction brought with it decades of Americ...

12 Jan 16min

Pop Quiz | Communism vs. Fascism (Repost)

Pop Quiz | Communism vs. Fascism (Repost)

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on December 14, 2023. New episodes starting this Monday, January 12. __Have an id...

8 Jan 11min

Arrows vs. Knights | How England Defied the Odds at Agincourt (Repost)

Arrows vs. Knights | How England Defied the Odds at Agincourt (Repost)

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on January 27, 2025. New episodes starting next week!___The Battle of Agincourt, ...

5 Jan 15min

Pop Quiz | Answering an Audience Question & The Overton Window (Repost)

Pop Quiz | Answering an Audience Question & The Overton Window (Repost)

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 5, 2025.___In this double pop quiz, Jon answers a question from an audien...

1 Jan 9min

America's Utopian Mores (Repost)

America's Utopian Mores (Repost)

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 23, 2025.___This season has been about good and bad ideas, and we are con...

29 Dec 202516min

Special Christmas Episode | The History of the Nativity (Repost)

Special Christmas Episode | The History of the Nativity (Repost)

The imagery of Jesus' birth has evolved over the century, but its meaning to all humanity remains as simple as ever in this holiday season.Special thanks to my Uncle Matt for giving me the idea for th...

26 Dec 20257min

Low Songs, Holy Songs

Low Songs, Holy Songs

In this last episode of 2025, Jon takes us on a journey through time and space to learn the stories of several beloved Christmas carols. We hope you enjoy them, and we look forward to seeing you in Ja...

22 Dec 202511min

Populärt inom Historia

kod-katastrof
massmordarpodden
motiv
historiska-brott
p3-historia
olosta-mord
rss-historien-om
historiepodden-se
rss-seriemordarpodden
historianu-med-urban-lindstedt
rss-brottsligt
rss-massmordarpodden
krigshistoriepodden
rss-historiska-brottslingar
militarhistoriepodden
palmemordet
rss-arkiv-stieg
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
nu-blir-det-historia
oppet-fall