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Empire: World History

85. The Russian Conquest of America

Empire: World History

Goalhanger

History

4.55.4K Ratings

🗓️ 3 October 2023

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the 18th century Vitus Bering went from Russia's east coast and landed in America. Over the next 150 years, Russia colonised more and more land, first taking Alaska and then working down America's west coast, eventually claiming areas as far south as California. Whilst this venture did fail, this failure was not inevitable. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Owen Matthews to discuss the most improbable story of Russia and its (almost successful) attempts to colonise large parts of America. Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

If you want access to bonus episodes reading lists for every series of empire, a chat community,

0:06.7

discounts for all the books mentioned in the week's podcast, add free listening and a weekly

0:11.5

newsletter, sign up to Empire Club at

0:14.4

W.

0:15.1

W. Empire pod UK.com. Hello and me William Empire with me Anita Arnin.

0:33.2

And me, William Durham.

0:35.0

I'm excited about today.

0:36.4

Are you excited?

0:37.3

It's a story which no one knows.

0:39.0

I have to say my son Sam is the person that

0:42.0

insisted, insisting that we go down this rabbit hole because it is one of the least

0:47.8

predictable stories that we've ever done.

0:50.0

My 13 year old is doing some dystopian fiction and what if and this presents itself with a complete possibility of a counterfactual of a different future that actually could have been. We're talking about a rather unusual story.

1:05.8

A very unusual story.

1:07.8

Very unusual story.

1:08.8

Russia's attempts to colonize America and we have the brilliant author who has brought us this

1:14.9

absolute gold nugget of a story. Owen Matthews, it really is the author of

1:20.5

glorious misadventures. Welcome to the podcast, Owen.

1:23.3

How are you?

1:24.4

Very well, thanks.

1:25.5

Thanks for having me on.

1:26.4

No, it's an absolute pleasure.

...

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