Prompt Cast
The Impact of Weather and Climate on History
TLDR Weather and climate have played a significant role in shaping history, from the Ice Age allowing for human settlement in Britain to the Little Ice Age causing global effects. Extreme weather events have led to famine, the collapse of empires, revolutions, and even the invention of the bicycle.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The hosts are going to discuss the top 10 ways that weather and climate have changed the course of history, starting with the Ice Age.
04:45
The end of the Ice Age allowed for permanent human settlement in Britain and the beginning of urban civilization in the Middle East, while the Little Ice Age in the 17th century caused a drop in temperatures and had global effects.
09:48
The crisis that begins in 1610, around the outbreak of the 30 Years War, leads to global climate effects including snow in Japan, drought in sub-Saharan Africa, rivers drying up in the New World, and thousands of people starving to death in Germany.
14:43
A drop in temperatures in the 6th century leads to famine, the collapse of empires, the emergence of Islam, and the implosion of Teotihuacan in Mexico.
19:58
The Great Frost and the Battle of Poltava in the early 18th century led to the complete and utter breaking of Sweden's power, resulting in Charles the 12th spending five years in the Ottoman Empire.
24:53
The Japanese were attacked by the Mongols, who were more technologically advanced, but were saved by a typhoon called kamikaze, although there is debate about whether this is true or not.
29:42
A series of extreme weather events in France, including a volcanic eruption, cooling, drought, hail storms, snow, and floods, led to crop failures and skyrocketing bread prices, ultimately contributing to the French Revolution.
35:05
The Battle of Agincourt, which enabled Henry V to come back and conquer half of France, was a squalid business that gave us Shakespeare's play and wouldn't have happened without the weather.
40:06
The year without a summer in 1816, caused by a volcanic explosion in Indonesia, led to widespread starvation and death, but also resulted in the invention of the bicycle and the creation of literary works such as Frankenstein and Dracula.
45:38
The winter of discontent in 1978-1979 in Britain, characterized by severe weather and crippling strikes, was exacerbated by Prime Minister James Callaghan's decision to go on vacation in Guadeloupe and Barbados, leading to public outrage and negative media coverage.
50:26
The winter of discontent in Britain was marked by severe weather, strikes, and a disastrous press conference by Prime Minister James Callaghan, leading to public outrage and negative media coverage.
54:45
The podcast ends with a preview of the next episode, which will focus on the history of Iran and how it has shaped the Middle East.
Categories:
History
