On the 12th of October 1492, Christopher Columbus made landfall in the New World and forever altered the course of history. He had struggled long and hard to get where he did – for years he had been mocked by scholars, spurned by kings, and frustrated by the interminable turning of the gears of royal bureaucracy. At every step he experienced new di…

Columbus has gained immortality for his discovery of the New World, but while many focus on his moment of greatest triumph, few notice the years of toil and frustration that led up to his celebrated voyage of 1492. A nameless mariner from Genoa, Columbus endured years of mockery and disappointment before he got the chance to set into motion his gre…

Intrigue, civil war, exploration, and discovery – all that and more is included in this episode, which covers the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella, the War of the Castilian Succession, and the separate paths taken by the Castilians and Portuguese during the latter half of the 15th century.Por From Settlement to Superpower

The story of the Age of Discovery traditionally begins in 1415, when the Portuguese captured the Moroccan city of Ceuta in a stunning lightning assault. Among those who made their names that day was Prince Henry of Portugal, a young, brash, and zealous prince. Over the next 45 years his restless nature would place him at the vanguard of both glory …

While we are accustomed to associate the Age of Discovery with the New World and the Far East, the dawn of that age began with significantly less ambitious voyages down the coast of Africa. In this episode we go over the various voyages down the coast of Africa from antiquity through the dawn of the fifteenth century, culminating in Jean de Bethenc…

In this episode we talk a bit about the impetus for the birth of the age of exploration. The more famous impetus was the desire to open a direct sea route to India to compensate for the collapse of the Silk Road, but the earlier, and lesser-known impetus, was the desire to discover the fabled Rio de Oro, or River of Gold – the source of the fabled …

Introduction for our first chapter: The Spanish Century, covering 1492-1603.Por From Settlement to Superpower

Welcome to From Settlement to SuperpowerPor From Settlement to Superpower

In this episode, we discuss the remarkable life and career of Fray Bartolome de las Casas, Protector of the Indians. We also talk about the debate over the humanity of the Indians, a debate which roiled the intellectuals of Spain and beyond. With a clearer picture of Las Casas's life and the Dominican campaign for the amelioration of the Indians' p…

A meandering episode for a meandering expedition. This episode covers the expedition of Hernando de Soto, the next in our inglorious series of conquistadors who had tried and failed to tame the North American Continent. Basically, he and his expedition wandered for four years in circles through what is now the states of Florida, Georgia, South Caro…

In this episode we relate the tragic story of Panfilo de Narvaez's expedition to Florida and the horrible fate which overtook his men. We also discuss the remarkable survival of two characters connected with the expedition - Juan Ortiz, taken captive by the vindictive Ucita, Chief of Hirrihigua, as well as the far more famous Alvar Nunez Cabeza de …

In this episode, we explore the rivalries and jockeying of the Caribbean conquistadors, who each wished to take their own slice of territory on the mainland. We begin with Diego Velasquez and Francisco de Garay, whose explorations and claims became a serious threat to Ponce de Leon's hold on Florida. After detouring a bit to finish Garay's storylin…

We finally touch the soil of what is now the United States! In this episode we discuss Juan Ponce de Leon and his first voyage to Florida (1513). We also wade into the historical controversies whether or not Ponce de Leon actually discovered Florida and was he really searching for the Fountain of Youth? We also discuss the importance of his lesser …

After recuperating for a month in Tlaxcala, Cortes is ready to resume the offensive. He ravages Tepeaca and prepares his forces for the final assault on Tenochtitlan. When that assault comes, it spells the end of a once magnificent city."...And the giants greeted each other thus: 'Do not fall down, for whoever falls, falls forever.'"--- Support thi…

Cortes splits his force to deal with Pamfilo de Narvaez, sent by Governor Velasquez to take over his expedition and hang him. He triumphs, only to receive word of an unfolding disaster back in Tenochtitlan. A Spanish atrocity had ocurred, and now the Aztecs were clamoring for vengeance. Montezuma dies, and the Spaniards are ejected from Tenochtilan…

It's a boy!!!! Expect minor delays; thank you in advance for your patience.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support

Cortes heads over to Cholula, where an Aztec conspiracy leads to a bloodbath. Following this, Cortes moves on to Tenochtitlan itself, where he is received with great honors. It is not long before he takes Montezuma prisoner and has him swear fealty to Charles V. The Spanish accumulate a vast amount of treasure and all is well. Or so it seems...--- …

Cortes is quite a wily character. This episode, he breaks free of Velasquez's control, founds a city, liberates the Totonacs, defeats and then befriends the Tlaxcalans, and utterly mystifies Montezuma and the Aztecs. If you want to see how 4D chess is really played, just look at Cortes.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh…

In this episode we meet the Aztecs: who they were, what they believed, and how their society was ordered. We also introduce the man who will ultimately destroy that civilization, Hernan Cortes, and we explore the backdrop to his expedition to Mexico.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/supp…

This episode takes a look at the Spanish conquest of the Carribean Islands, with a particular focus on the island of Hispaniola. We read a great deal of Las Casas, who chronicled the abject misery of the natives in his "A History of the Indies".--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support…

The Portuguese may have cornered the market on Africa, but they were about to get eclipsed in a big way by their neighbors to the east - the Spanish. This episode describes the story of the Castilian Atlantic, from 1402 through Columbus's discovery of the Americas.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-…

Portugal began the Age of Discovery with a century-long campaign to find a direct sea-route to India. In this episode we discuss the who, what, why, and when of this Portuguese contribution.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support

A few brief announcements. First off, episodes will now be uploaded at a pace of 1 per every week and a half - two weeks. To compensate, episodes will be longer, more in depth, and recommended reading will be provided. Also, we will do away with the chapter system and go to a simple system of numbering the podcast. Also, a shoutout to Jamie Redfern…

This is it! We're done our introductory podcasts! Today we talk about Elizabeth's war with Spain and the Irish. Next week we are on hiatus - and after that, we turn our attention to American colonization!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support…

Here we are - the long overdue penultimate introductory podcast! This episode, we cover the events of Queen Elizabeth I's early reign, from the Elizabethan Settlement to the execution of Mary, Queen of the Scots. The Armada is coming...--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support…

In this podcast Edward dies, and winter comes for the Protestants. Their coup is thwarted and Mary and her Catholics reign supreme. Cranmer bids us adieu, and we read from Foxe's Acts and Monuments.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support…

King Edward VI's rule saw the reformation take a markedly Protestant turn. Get ready for a theology heavy podcast!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support

Henry VIII was a difficult man...--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support

During the first half of Henry VIII's rule, Wolsey reigned supreme.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support

In this podcast, we explore the backdrop for the English Reformation. Also, we learn some valuable lessons about scripting and editing. Enjoy!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support

Welcome to "From Settlement to Superpower".--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-settlement-to-superpower/support