Dr. Tommy Dolan, Senior Editor at British Online Archives (BOA), discusses colonial participation in the British war efforts with Catriona Pennell, Professor of Modern History and Memory Studies at the University of Exeter. Catriona specialises in the history of nineteenth and twentieth century Britain and Ireland, with a particular focus on the relationship between war, empire, experience, and memory. She has published on various aspects of the experience of war and empire and on understandings of cultural historical approaches to the study of modern conflict more generally. Catriona was an editorial board member for BOA’s primary source collection, the Illustrated War News, 1914–1918 & 1939. She also wrote a contextual essay for this publication: “Propaganda and the mobilisation of consent during the two world wars”.

In this episode of Talking History, Catriona and Tommy consider the necessity, and challenges, of recovering colonial experiences of the wars. They also reflect upon the way in which notions of race underpinned western thought during these major conflicts, and how colonial participation in the war efforts has been taught in British schools. Catriona and Tommy likewise consider instances of colonial resistance during the war efforts and the memorialisation of colonial troops.

Please note, this episode was recorded in July 2023.

Hosted by Dr. Tommy Dolan.
Produced by Laura Wales.

Dr. Nathaniel Andrews, former Senior Editor at British Online Archives (BOA), explores the history of Spanish anarchism with Dr. Danny Evans. Danny lectures in Modern European History at Liverpool Hope University. His research focuses on the Spanish anarchist movement and the Spanish Revolution. In this episode of Talking History, Nathaniel and Danny discuss the nature of anarchism, the importance of the anarchist movement with regard to the broader history of Spain, and the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). They also consider the development of anarchist ideology following the First World War (1914–18).

Please note, this episode was recorded in February 2023.

Hosted by Dr. Nathaniel Andrews.

Produced by Laura Wales.

Rex Cleaver, former Editorial Assistant at British Online Archives (BOA), discusses the history of sport with Dr. Luke Harris. Currently, Luke is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham. His research explores the ways in which leisure and sport have impacted upon British identity. Luke was an editorial board member for BOA’s primary source collection, The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 1874–1970. As he highlighted in the excellent contextual essay that he penned for this collection, “The portrayal of the 1908 Olympic Games in The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News”, the early twentieth century saw a rise in media publications representing sport. This episode of Talking History considers the impact of the first Olympic Games to be held in London, the broader relationship between class and sport, and the development of British athletics. Luke and Rex also reflect upon the sporting opportunities that were available for women throughout the first half of the twentieth century.

Please note, this episode was recorded in April 2023.

Hosted by Rex Cleaver.
Produced by Laura Wales.