The Soviet Union, Part 2 of 2

Short History Of...

Noiser

History

4.7 • 4.9K Ratings

🗓️ 17 May 2023

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Despite its troubled infancy and the hardship faced during World War 2, in the second half of the 20th century the USSR became one of the world’s two superpowers. How did it manage this turn-around? What did its rise mean for its people and the rest of the world? And how did the young nation that shaped so much of the 20th century’s geopolitics eventually come crashing down? This is the second in a special 2 part Short History of… the Soviet Union. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to historian and author Professor Sheila Fitzpatrick of the Australian Catholic University and the University of Sydney. For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the Noiser+ banner on Apple or go to noiser.com/subscriptions to get started with a 7-day free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Fever tree Mediterranean tonic water
0:02.9	Pfft!
0:03.9	Made with zesty lemon time from a small family farm in Provoz
0:08.7	and essential oils from herbs that grow in the Mediterranean sunshine.
0:13.5	So, if three quarters of your G&T is a Fever tree tonic,
0:18.8	maybe it's time to call it a T&G.
0:22.4	Fever tree. Mix with the best.
0:26.9	Oh, that takes me straight to the med.
0:31.9	It's Wednesday the 21st of August 1968.
0:34.9	A dry, bright morning in Prague, the capital of Czechoslovakia.
0:38.9	A student stretches and yawns in his bed.
0:41.9	He worked late on an essay last night and he slept like a log.
0:45.9	Opening the curtains, he's surprised to see a crowd filling the wide boulevard below his window.
0:51.9	The people are hurrying towards Wenceslas Square.
0:53.9	The city's imposing historical center.
0:56.9	He opens the window to ask what's happening.
0:59.9	A woman looks up and replies simply, they've come.
1:03.9	It's hard to tell if she's excited or just frightened.
1:07.9	The student turns on his radio and a voice confirms his suspicions.
1:12.9	Just before midnight Czechoslovakia was invaded.
1:16.9	An army of several hundred thousand from the Soviet Union
1:20.9	and her eastern block Allies is making its way to Prague.
	...

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