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428 An Idea of Simple Genius

The History of the Twentieth Century

Release Date: 12/14/2025

429 The Fall of Rome show art 429 The Fall of Rome

The History of the Twentieth Century

In May 1944, Allied forces in Italy began an offensive that finally broke the Gustav Line. Soon Americans were marching into Rome. At the same time, Allied forces in Britain were making final preparations for the invasion of France.

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428 An Idea of Simple Genius show art 428 An Idea of Simple Genius

The History of the Twentieth Century

In this episode, we look at some of the preparations both sides' militaries were making for the coming invasion of France, as well as the tricky problem the Allies faced in keeping Charles de Gaulle on board.

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427 Half American show art 427 Half American

The History of the Twentieth Century

As America geared up for war, and then entered the war, African Americans fought to claim a role in the battle against fascism.

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426 Incomparably More Difficult show art 426 Incomparably More Difficult

The History of the Twentieth Century

During the interwar period, African Americans pushed back against the US military's explicit racism.

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425 Eight to the Bar show art 425 Eight to the Bar

The History of the Twentieth Century

Boogie-woogie went mainstream in America during the war, as evidenced by the music of Glenn Miller and the Andrews Sisters.

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424 From Z to A show art 424 From Z to A

The History of the Twentieth Century

The Americans were on the offensive in the Southwest Pacific, and after Tarawa, in the Central Pacific. As they advanced, Japanese military leaders scrambled to find a way to stop the Americans.

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423 Bodyguard of Lies show art 423 Bodyguard of Lies

The History of the Twentieth Century

As soon as Allied leaders chose Normandy as the site of the Operation Overlord invasion, British intelligence set to work convincing the Germans that the invasion would be somewhere else.

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422 A Stranded Whale show art 422 A Stranded Whale

The History of the Twentieth Century

The Allied campaign in Italy stalled, and British and American leaders were searching for a way to break the stalemate on the peninsula. Winston Churchill suggested an amphibious invasion behing enemy lines.

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421 Two Strikes and You're Out show art 421 Two Strikes and You're Out

The History of the Twentieth Century

The war era (1939-45) saw the beginning of the end of the big band era. Part of this decline was due to two key strikes in the music industry.

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420 A Contintent-Wide Crime show art 420 A Contintent-Wide Crime

The History of the Twentieth Century

The Holocaust should not be viewed as strictly a Nazi project or even a German project. Millions of people across Europe share responsibility for those crimes.

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In this episode, we look at some of the preparations both sides' militaries were making for the coming invasion of France, as well as the tricky problem the Allies faced in keeping Charles de Gaulle on board.