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History of Southeast AsiaEpisode 95: The Second Indochina War, Part 22The previous episode of this podcast was a bit on the short side, so to make up for it, this episode is twice as long! Today we look at Vietnam and Cambodia, in 1973 and 1974. A cease-fire is signed for Vietnam in early 1973, which ends active American involvement in that country, but it fails to end the fighting. As for Cambodia, it takes two to make peace, and the communist Khmer Rouge don't even want to talk about it, so the Cambodian Civil War was a fight to the finish, with American bombers involved until August 1973. Tune in and listen...2020-08-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 94: The Second Indochina War, Part 21This episode covers the war in Vietnam, also called the Second Indochina War, during 1972. North Vietnam launches a major offensive that is eventually defeated, thanks to American air power, but they are able to grab ten percent of South Vietnam's territory, and keep their soldiers in it afterwards. Meanwhile, the peace talks continue. The United States and North Vietnam finally reach an agreement, but the talks are interrupted by two major US bombing campaigns against North Vietnam, leading many to think that peace was forced upon the North Vietnamese. What will that mean when the cease-fire is signed in...2020-07-2900 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 93: The Second Indochina War, Part 20Better late than never, as the saying goes! Sorry for the delays. This episode covers the war in Vietnam during 1970 and 1971. Also covered are events in the United States in the same time that affected the war: more antiwar protests, and the publication of the Pentagon Papers. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free!
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A...2020-07-1200 minHistory of Southeast AsiaAn Important AnnouncementToday the podcast is four years old. Listen for a special message on where the podcast is going from here.2020-07-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 92: The Second Indochina War, Part 19Today we look at the first half of the Cambodian Civil War, the phase of the Second Indochina War in Cambodia, from 1970 to 1972. Also, if you like educational podcasts besides this one, you won't want to miss a conference coming up on June 27, 2020! Details about that are given at the end of this episode.
The North Vietnamese-backed invasion of Cambodia began in late March 1970, and was halted in August 1970. This map shows communist-controlled areas (grey) and government-controlled areas (white) in August 1970. There were few changes to this for the next two and a half years, until...2020-06-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 91: The Second Indochina War, Part 18After thirteen episodes about the Second Indochina War in Vietnam, and four episodes about the same war in Laos, it is time to shift our attention to Cambodia. This episode covers Cambodian history from 1953, when independence from France was achieved, to 1970, when the Indochina War spilled across its borders. The first reign of Norodom Sihanouk is covered, and we meet the Khmer Rouge.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get...2020-06-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 90: The Second Indochina War, Part 17Here is the second episode for May 2020, and this one is a hair-raiser for sure! Today we cover one of the Vietnam War's most notorious events, the My Lai Massacre.
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Finally...2020-05-1700 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 89: The Second Indochina War, Part 16This episode covers events in the Second Indochina War, also called the Vietnam War, in 1969. In the United States there is a new president, Richard M. Nixon, and he starts the process of removing the Americans from the war, while on the streets of American cities, antiwar protests reach their peak. And over in North Vietnam, we say goodbye to Ho Chi Minh, who has been an important character in the narrative since Episode 35. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code...2020-05-0200 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 88: The Second Indochina War, Part 15In the previous episode, we came to the Tet Offensive, which many consider the climax of the Second Indochina War. However, we still have a long way to go before the Vietnam story is finished. Today's episode covers events in the rest of 1968, in Vietnam and the United States.
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...2020-04-1700 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 87: The Second Indochina War, Part 14Today is April Fool's Day and a new episode is available for your listening pleasure. That's no joke! This episode covers what many people consider the climax of the Second Indochina War -- the Tet Offensive. Here the Americans won all the battles, but they may have lost the war here as well. Also covered are the battle of Khe Sanh, and the beginning of the end of Lyndon Johnson's presidency.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them...2020-04-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 86: The Second Indochina War, Part 13With the previous episode of the podcast, we took a break from the narrative and had a question and answer session. Now with Episode 86, we resume our ongoing narrative about the Second Indochina War, also known as the Vietnam War. Today we finish looking at the events of 1967, and that will get us ready for the Tet Offensive next time.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's...2020-03-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 85: Question and Answer Session 3Today we have a special episode, where I answer the questions which you the listeners sent in last January. As with the previous Q&A show, listen and enjoy!
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Finally, visit...2020-03-0300 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 84: The Second Indochina War, Part 12This episode is a day late, sorry to keep you waiting! Episode 84 continues our ongoing narrative of the Second Indochina War, better known as the Vietnam War in the United States, and the American War in Vietnam. Here the battles of early 1967 are covered, and then we look at the growing protest movement against the war, from late 1965 to 1967.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting...2020-02-1700 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 83: The Second Indochina War, Part 11Today marks the beginning of a new month, and you know what that means: a new episode of the History of Southeast Asia Podcast is online for your listening pleasure! This time we cover events in Vietnam during 1966. Besides the battles from the Second Indochina War (also known as the Vietnam War), we will look at a Buddhist revolt that has largely been forgotten in the years since then.
During the war, South Vietnam was divided into four military districts, called "Corps Tactical Zones" (CTZs) by Americans. Here is a map showing the borders between the...2020-02-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 82: The Second Indochina War, Part 10Today we continue the ongoing narrative about the Second Indochina War in Vietnam, covering events for the rest of 1965, and culminating with the battle of Ia Drang. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free!
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And here is the Podcast Hall of Fame page, to honor those who have donated already! Finally, visit t...2020-01-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 81: The Second Indochina War, Part 9Happy New Year, and here is the first episode for 2020! In Episode 81 the first American combat troops come to Vietnam, only to find that their visit will not be a short one, and that a lot more Americans will have to join them.
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And here is the new Podcast...2020-01-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 80: The Second Indochina War, Part 8Episode 80 is now available, and as promised, we are going back to follow the Second Indochina War in Vietnam. Today we look at events in 1964, with special attention on the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, and learn what caused the United States to get totally involved in the war. This is the last episode of the podcast scheduled for 2019, so Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year and all that!
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I...2019-12-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 79: The Second Indochina War, Part 7This episode covers the part of the Second Indochina War in Laos, the Laotian Civil War, from 1968 to 1974. Now all we have left to do with Laos is talk about how the Civil War ended, which I plan to do when we wrap up the Vietnam War as well.
Here is the map I posted with Episode 74, shared again to help with the geography. Tchepone, the objective of the 1971 South Vietnamese invasion, is near the source of the Xe Banghiang River. Long Tieng is not shown; that Hmong community and CIA base is near Xiangkhoang. Source...2019-11-3000 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 78: The Second Indochina War, Part 6After a two-episode break, we are going back to the narrative about the Second Indochina War in Laos, this time covering events from 1964 to 1968, with special emphasis on the battles for Nam Bac Valley and Lima Site 85. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free!
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2019-11-1900 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 77: What Buddhism is All AboutThis is another special episode, prompted because a donor to the podcast asked three questions that I should have answered two or three years ago. May you find the answers enlightening (pun intended). You may want to go back and re-listen to the early episodes that discussed Buddhism's impact on Southeast Asia, especially Episodes 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, after hearing this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoeeIiCpbcw Here is a documentary I watched forty years ago about the Torajas, a tribe living on the eastern Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Because of the work of Dutch missionaries, most...2019-11-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 76: Monsters of Southeast AsiaToday we are taking a break from the ongoing narrative. Several podcasts tell spooky stories for their late October episodes, so this episode will look at myths and legends from Southeast Asia, especially those about monsters. You may not want to listen to this alone!
Among the monsters Southeast Asians believe in, one of the most hideous appears as a woman's head with an assortment of internal organs hanging underneath. She goes by many names; Cambodians calls her the Ap, Laotians calls her the Kasu, Thais calls her the Krasue, and Malaysians calls her the Penanggalan...2019-10-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 75: The Second Indochina War, Part 5This episode continues the narrative we started last time, on the Second Indochina War's phase in Laos, also called the Laotian Civil War. Unfortunately, the cease-fire and the coalition government set up at the end of the previous episode couldn't last. Today we look at events in 1963 and 1964, and learn the overall trends that will characterize the war until the next cease-fire is signed, in 1973.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you...2019-10-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 74: The Second Indochina War, Part 4Because the previous three episodes were focused on just Vietnam, it is now time to go west and catch up on the Second Indochina War in Laos. This episode covers the history of Laos from 1954 to 1962. The communists in Laos, the Pathet Lao, would have gotten nowhere without lots of help from the communists in Vietnam. As a result, the front man for the Pathet Lao, Prince Souphanouvong, spent much of his time in North Vietnam. This picture shows him with Ho Chi Minh. Just in case you're not familiar with...2019-09-1700 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 73: The Second Indochina War, Part 3For today's episode, the narrative on the war in Vietnam continues, covering events in 1962 and 1963. We will see the Americans increase their commitment, because they are no closer to winning than they were before. Nevertheless, the Viet Cong will win the first big battle of the war, at Ap Bac. And then we will see the downfall of the South Vietnamese government, after President Ngo Dinh Diem makes one mistake too many.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let...2019-09-0200 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 72: The Second Indochina War, Part 2Today's episode covers Vietnam during the early years of the Second Indochina War, from 1957 to the end of 1961. We will see communist guerrillas and their partners stage attacks, with guns and bombs, mostly against South Vietnamese officials, but sometimes even Americans become targets. At the end of 1960, they will be organized to form the Viet Cong, a major player in the conflict from now on. We will also see the response of the South Vietnamese president, Ngo Dinh Diem; he enjoyed a string of successes in the previous episode, but begins to falter now. Finally, the United States sends military...2019-08-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 71: The Second Indochina War, Part 1Happy New Month, if you are listening on the day this episode was uploaded! Here the podcast narrative will begin covering the Second Indochina War, or as Americans call it, the Vietnam War. This is the table-setting episode for the conflict, describing Vietnam in the mid-1950s, the events that caused the war to begin, and the motivations for the United States to get involved.
The main character in today's episode is Ngo Dinh Diem, the president of South Vietnam from 1955 to 1963. Here is his picture.
Do you think you would like to become...2019-08-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 70: The Hill Tribes of Vietnam and LaosToday is the first day of a new month, Canada's 152nd birthday, and the third anniversary of the podcast! So naturally we have a special episode for today. This time, instead of the usual historical narrative, we will meet the hill tribes of Vietnam and Laos, also called the Degar or Montagnards. There are 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, and 160 in Laos, but most of the time we only hear from the dominant majorities, the Vietnamese and the Lao. Therefore this episode will give equal time to the other groups. And here is a link to the Lithophone...2019-07-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 69: The Malayan EmergencyHappy Father's Day, if you are in the United States! And on this day 71 years ago, the communist revolt called "The Malayan Emergency" began. Now with today's podcast episode, we finish our coverage of the early Cold War years by looking at the Malayan Emergency, and we will follow the path the Malay peninsula took to become independent. Hint: it was different from the rest of Southeast Asia, where nationalist movements developed many years earlier.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code...2019-06-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 68: The First Indochina War, Part 5Today we will wrap up the First Indochina War by covering the showdown which proved to the French that they couldn't stay in Vietnam anymore -- the battle of Dien Bien Phu! Over the course of the war, the French had seven generals commanding their forces. The last of those generals was Henri Navarre, who led from May 1953 to the end of the war in mid-1954. Here he is, from a Time Magazine cover dated December 28, 1953. His job was to stabilize the situation so that France could negotiate from a position of strength (by this...2019-06-0200 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 67: The First Indochina War, Part 4For Part 4 in our series on the First Indochina War, this episode covers the events of 1952 and most of 1953. We will look at the battles in northwest Vietnam, as the Viet Minh invade this area. Then we will see the opening of a second front in Laos, which will start an on-and-off civil war that will last for the next 22 years. Finally, we will learn how Laos and Cambodia achieved full independence from France. Today's map shows the campaigns in northern Vietnam (then called Tonkin) in 1952. The Viet Minh (pink arrows) advanced from the Red...2019-05-1500 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 66: The First Indochina War, Part 3Today's episode is the third in our series about the Indochina Wars. Here we will look at the campaigns of 1951. In response to the successful Viet Minh (Vietnamese Communist) offensive of 1950, the French send in their best general, Jean de Lattre de Tassigny. It was only during the eleven months when de Lattre was in command (December 1950 - November 1951) that the French felt they had a good chance of winning. Jean de Lattre de Tassigny. The Americans called him "D.D.T.," and the French called him Roi Jean (King John). This map...2019-05-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 65: The First Indochina War, Part 2In this episode we begin covering the events of the First Indochina War, waged between the French and the Vietnamese communists, then called the Viet Minh. Here we go from 1946 to 1950. For most of this time the struggle was a stalemate, with the French controlling all cities in Vietnam, while the Viet Minh roamed the countryside. Then in 1950 the Viet Minh won a key battle in the area northeast of Hanoi; this is now considered the turning point of the war.
Here is a map of the First Indochina War, not long after it started, in 1947...2019-04-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 64: The First Indochina War, Part 1This is the first in what will be a series of episodes about the Indochina Wars, which afflicted Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for more than forty years (1945-1989). Today we introduce the scene and the characters in 1945-46, between the end of World War II and the beginning of what is officially called the First Indochina War. During World War II, The United States gave aid to anyone fighting the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan), and that included communists. As a result, the US Army's intelligence agency, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), sent...2019-04-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 63: Modern Burmese Birth PangsNow for this episode, we will learn about how modern Burma (Myanmar since 1989) became independent. Although the Burmese do not have to fight the British anymore, their troubles will come in bunches. Back with Episode 32, I posted a picture of a Burmese 90 kyat note, featuring a picture of the nationalist Saya San. Now here is a 15 kyat note (1986 edition), showing Aung San. Because Aung San is considered the father of modern Myanmar/Burma, and he is the real-life father of Aung San Suu Kyi, his picture has appeared on several denominations, including the 1 kyat, 35 kyat...2019-03-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 62: The Hukbalahap RebellionFor the next part of our narrative on Southeast Asia in the postwar/Cold War era, we will look at the Philippines, from 1945 to 1957. Here independence comes to the islands on July 4, 1946. Then a communist guerrilla movement, one that fought the Japanese during World War II, turns against both the government and the Americans. Listen in to find out how a remarkable Filipino beat this challenge.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and...2019-03-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 61: Who Killed the King of Siam?I hope you had a good time with the special person in your life on Valentines Day -- because that was yesterday. Now it is time to listen to the latest episode of the podcast! Today we look at Thailand between 1945 and 1957, as the Unconquered Kingdom seeks its place in the postwar, post-colonial world. Also, we learn of the unsolved mystery around the assassination of King Rama VIII. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I...2019-02-1500 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 60: The Indonesian War of IndependenceThis episode begins our look at the conflicts during the Cold War era, by covering Indonesia's struggle for independence, from 1945 to 1949.
Here is a map of the situation in the Dutch East Indies, between the Renville Agreement and Operation Crow. Source:
Gimonca.com.
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2019-02-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 59: Nationalism TriumphantHere is the first episode for 2019. New years mean new beginnings, and because the previous episode finished what this podcast had to say about World War II, we will be making a new beginning here. This episode is an introduction to the events that happened between 1945 and 1990, a time called both the Cold War era and the Age of Nationalism.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's...2019-01-1500 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 58: The End of World War IIWe made it! This is the last World War II episode in this podcast series, and the last episode scheduled for 2018. To all of you in advance, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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2018-12-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 57: Talking With Two Guys in SingaporeToday we take a break from the narrative, because I have been interviewed again. This time it was done by the two hosts of a new Singapore-based podcast, called "We Don't Mean to Dwell, But . . ." Check it out, and if you would like to listen to more episodes from this podcast, click on the link below: http://www.dontmeantodwell.com Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get...2018-12-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 56: The Forgotten War in Burma, Part 4With this episode we finish the podcast narrative about World War II in Burma, or as we now call it, Myanmar. Here the British and the Japanese fight for the city of Rangoon, modern day Yangon. In the middle of the battle the rainy season begins, which forces both sides to call a halt to most of the fighting. But in 1945, the war will end before the rainy season does. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them...2018-11-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 55: The Forgotten War in Burma, Part 3Today we return to Burma, now called Myanmar, to hear about the efforts of the Allies, especially the British, to take back this land during World War II. Also, the Ledo Road will be finished, and the Burma Road will be recovered. A map of the Far East during the war, showing the two roads mentioned above. A British soldier at Fort Dufferin, during the battle of Mandalay. This map shows where the units were located before the real fighting started, in December 1944. The Allied units are blue, while...2018-11-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 54: The Liberation of the Philippines, Part 4With this episode, the podcast narrative about World War II in the Philippines is concluded. Here is the story of how the US 8th Army, with the help of Filipino guerrillas, took back the central and southern Philippines, also known as the Visayas and Mindanao, from the Japanese in 1945.
This map shows the entire Philippine campaign. The red arrows show the movements of the US 6th Army, which we already covered in Episode 50, 52 and 53. What the US 8th Army took in this episode is shown with the blue arrows.
Do you think you would...2018-10-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 53: The Liberation of the Philippines, Part 3The American campaign in the Philippines continues into 1945 with this episode. Now that the Japanese fleet has been mostly destroyed, and the Americans have taken back Manila, they and the Filipino guerrillas go on to free the rest of the main island, Luzon. Here is a map of Luzon, showing how Japanese forces were distributed across the island when the Americans arrived. Source: a Facebook page dedicated to the 66th US Infantry Regiment. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter...2018-10-0500 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 52: The Liberation of the Philippines, Part 2This episode continues, but doesn't quite finish, what we started in Episode 50, the American campaign to liberate the Philippines. General Douglas MacArthur's troops take the central islands of Leyte and Mindoro, then land on the main island, Luzon. The campaign culminates with the terrible battle for Manila in February 1945. And I have reposted the map of the Philippines that was used with Episode 14, so listeners can see the locations for most of the places mentioned here. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details...2018-09-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 51: Question and Answer Session 1Today we take a break from the usual routine, and you will hear me answer the questions which you the listeners sent in over the past month or two. Listen and enjoy! Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free!
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2018-09-0200 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 50: The Liberation of the Philippines, Part 1This episode begins a series on the battles fought in the Philippines during 1944 and 1945, pitting the Americans and Filipinos against the Japanese. Here we will see General Douglas MacArthur land the US 6th Army on the island of Leyte, thereby keeping the promise he made two years earlier. Then the entire Japanese Navy will gather in the waters around Leyte to stop the landing, resulting in the biggest naval battle in all of World War II. Finally we will see the first use of Japan's desperate last tactic, kamikaze planes. Here is the famous photo of MacArthur...2018-08-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 49: The Forgotten War in Burma, Part 2Today we look at the climax of World War II in the China-Burma-India theater. Here in 1944, Japan invaded India, and launched its last offensive in China, while the American general Joseph Stilwell led a campaign to take back northern Burma.
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2018-08-0400 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 48: The Forgotten War in Burma, Part 1With this episode the podcast returns to Southeast Asia during World War II. This time we look at what happened in Burma, modern-day Myanmar, from the middle of 1942 until early 1944. Orde Charles Wingate (1903-44) led British guerrilla units in Ethiopia and Burma during World War II. He is my favorite WW2 hero because he was a nonconformist who "thought outside the box" constantly. During the war he grew a nonregulation beard and wore a pith helmet, as you can see here. Source: WarHistoryOnline.com. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster...2018-07-2300 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 47: The New Guinea Campaign, Part 3With today's episode, the podcast finishes covering World War II in New Guinea. Although the war turned in the Allies' favor in 1942, the struggle here would go on until the war ended everywhere else. The Allies find out that in every territory occupied by Japan, it is at least twice as hard to drive the Japanese out, as it was for them to invade the territory in the first place. Also, today is the second anniversary of the podcast's launching. Happy birthday, podcast! This map of New Guinea shows where General MacArthur landed troops in 1944, to liberate...2018-07-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 46: The New Guinea Campaign, Part 2The podcast is back, after a month-long break! Here we continue the coverage we started in the previous episode, about World War II in New Guinea. This time we will see the crucial turning point in the conflict between the Japanese, Australians and Americans. This map of New Guinea gives you an overview of the island during World War II; most of the cities and towns I mention in Episodes 45 and 46 are shown here. Before the war the western half of the island was part of Dutch-ruled Indonesia, while the two territories in the east, N.E...2018-06-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaI Am Going Away For A WhileThe next episode is going to be late. Originally I was planning to record and upload it by June 1, but now it looks like I will have to aim for a release date in the middle of June. Listen in to find out more.2018-05-2000 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 45: The New Guinea Campaign, Part 1This is another episode that is not set in Southeast Asia, but next to it. Today we begin the long jungle war in New Guinea, as the Japanese stage their first invasions of the world's second largest island. Meanwhile to the southeast, in the Coral Sea, Japanese and American aircraft carriers meet. The result is a crucial battle, halting the Japanese advance toward Australia from the sea.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you...2018-05-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaIntroducing American InnovationsToday a new podcast has been launched that I think you're going to love. It is called "American Innovations," and it combines science and history with a dramatic presentation. Check it out on iTunes, listen and enjoy! I know I'm going to. American Innovations by Wondery
2018-05-1000 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 44: Life Under the JapaneseToday marks a new month, and you know what that means -- it's time for a new episode! This time we have an overview of what life was like for those in Southeast Asia, during the years when Japan ruled the region (hint: most of it is bad.) A Ten Peso bill, printed by the Japanese for use in the Philippines. Inflation soon made them nearly worthless, and because the Filipinos had been exposed to Hollywood movies, they scornfully called this "Mickey Mouse money." The Axis leaders in Asia only met once, at the...2018-05-0100 min
Inside the Writer's Cafe with Cheryl Nason Archives - WebTalkRadio.netInside The Writers Café – OPERATION ARES by Charles KimballOPERATION ARES by Charles Kimball
In this gripping novel, two deep black operatives risk their lives to sink a private Russian submarine loaded with heroin and a cargo ship carrying illegal weapons. Both shipments are destined to end up on the streets of the United States. As part of the Operation Ares mission, two patriots are charged with finding and eliminating the kingpin, Renard, who leads the most innovative and unpredictable smuggling organization in the world. His organization is so sophisticated that no one has ever been able to stop him.
The two agents’ essential assign...2018-04-3008 minInside the Writer's Cafe with Cheryl Nason Archives - WebTalkRadio.netInside The Writers Café – OPERATION ARES by Charles KimballOPERATION ARES by Charles Kimball In this gripping novel, two deep black operatives risk their lives to sink a private Russian submarine loaded with heroin and a cargo ship carrying illegal weapons. Both shipments are destined to end up on the streets of the United States. As part of the Operation Ares mission, two patriots […]
The post Inside The Writers Café – OPERATION ARES by Charles Kimball appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.2018-04-3008 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 43: The Indian OceanToday we have a diversion from the narrative the podcast has been following lately. When Japan conquered Southeast Asia in early 1942, it gained access to the Indian Ocean, and the Japanese ventured into that ocean afterwards. This episode will look at what followed: the invasion of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the bombing of Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka), and a battle between the British, French and Japanese for Madagascar. Although this area is not in Southeast Asia per se, I believe you will find the stories interesting, because they are really obscure to those people who don't live around the...2018-04-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 42: The Retreat Through BurmaThis year three holidays fall on April 1: April Fool's Day, Easter and Passover. Now you have another reason to celebrate; Episode 42 is now available! This episode begins coverage of the Burma campaign, a nasty jungle war that would go on between Japan and the Allies for the rest of World War II in the Pacific. Today we will see the Japanese conquest of Burma (modern Myanmar), from December 1941 to May 1942. The conquest did not take five months because of Allied resistance, as was the case in the Philippines, but because of the rugged terrain and the size of the territory...2018-04-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 41: The Battle for the Philippines, Part 2Now it is time to finish what we started in Episode 38, and cover the conclusion of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. Although the Japanese win again, it takes five months for them to conquer the islands, a longer time than any of their other campaigns so far, because both the Americans and Filipinos were united in resisting them. Both of the maps below are thumbnails. Click on either one to see the full-sized map in a separate tab or window. First, for your benefit, I have reposted the map pf Bataan and Corregidor from...2018-03-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 40: The History Fangirl InterviewThis episode is a break from the narrative usually presented. Recently Charles Kimball was interviewed for another podcast, History Fangirl, to give the historical background behind Thailand and Bangkok. A copy of that interview has been reposted here. And below is a link to the podcast of Stephanie Craig, the History Fangirl; check it out to see what other places she has visited. Bangkok and the Kingdom of Siam Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let...2018-03-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 39: Japan Goes SouthIt only took three months for the Japanese to conquer most of Indonesia, an area the Dutch had dominated for more than three hundred years. This episode continues the World War II narrative of the previous three episodes, by covering the strategy and tactics Japan used in the world's largest archipelago.
Here is the companion map, showing the paths taken by the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies. As you can see, they ignored no island large enough to matter. At the end of February 1942, they also landed on both ends of Java. By the end of March...2018-02-1500 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 38: The Battle for the Philippines, Part 1Episode 38 continues on the topic the podcast has been covering since the year began -- World War II in Southeast Asia. This time we will see the Japanese invasion of the Philippines begin, but it won't finish in this episode; resistance to the Japanese is far tougher here than it was in Malaya and Singapore. And this episode will also give the biography of the American commander, Douglas MacArthur, up to 1941, because he will be a key figure in the war from this point on. Here is the first of two maps that will help you understand...2018-02-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 37: Japan Strikes, The Fall of Malaya and SingaporeIn the last episode you heard about Japan invading China, occupying French Indochina, and bombing Pearl Harbor. Now this episode covers the 1941 Japanese invasion of Thailand, Malaya, and Singapore. Are you ready?
Here is the companion map, showing the campaign in Malaya, December 1941-January 1942. The red dates are the dates when the Japanese conquered specific locations, while the blue date indicates when the British formed a defensive line to protect Johore, the southernmost of Malaya's nine sultanates. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the...2018-01-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 36: Prelude to the Pacific WarHappy New Year, and to begin 2018, the podcast will begin covering the course of World War II in Southeast Asia. We will start by looking at the events in the early twentieth century that motivated Japan to conquer most of East Asia and the western Pacific, and we will finish with the event that brought the United States into the war, the attack on Pearl Harbor. This map is a simple, graphic representation of Japan's strategy during World War II. Most of the area within the gold circle was under Japanese rule by the end...2018-01-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 35: French Indochina, Part 4This is the last episode in the French Indochina mini-series (the others are Episodes 25, 26 and 34), and the last episode for 2017. Here we wrap up by looking at the development of nationalist movements in Vietnam before World War II, with special emphasis on Ho Chi Minh, who will be the most important nationalist after the war. Finally we will meet the Cao Dai and Hoa Hao, two new religious sects that got started in South Vietnam in the early twentieth century.
Here is how Ho Chi Minh looked when he lived in Paris, between 1917 and 1923. Not only...2017-12-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 34: French Indochina, Part 3For Episode 34, we continue our look at Southeast Asia in the early twentieth century (up to 1941), with a visit to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, while the French were running those countries. If you're interested in the Vietnam War coming later on, you may consider this episode a prequel, or a table-setting episode.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free!
Support this...2017-12-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 33: Nationalism in the Dutch East IndiesThis episode continues our narrative on Southeast Asia in the early twentieth century, by looking at Indonesia, then called the Dutch East Indies, from 1901 to 1941 (A.D.). First we will learn how oil was discovered in the islands, and how it replaced spices as Indonesia's most important product. Then we will see how the Dutch administered the islands during that time. Finally we will follow the development of Indonesian nationalism, and meet Sukarno, the first leader of modern Indonesia. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on...2017-11-1600 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 32: Nationalism in British BurmaFor our 32nd episode (33rd if you count the introduction), we will return to the Southeast Asian mainland, and cover the history of Burma, modern-day Myanmar, in the early twentieth century. In particular we will concentrate our attention on the nationalist movements that sprang up, to oppose British rule. Three of the nationalists we will meet here, Aung San, U Nu and Ne Win, will become important in future episodes, so remember their names! This sample of Burmese money is a 90 Kyat bill, issued in 1987, and on the front it shows Saya San, who led...2017-11-0100 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 31: The Philippines, the Hollywood YearsWith this episode, we begin a narrative completely in the twentieth century, so welcome to recent history! Here we also conclude the four-part miniseries about the Philippines, around the beginning of the twentieth century. This time we will cover the years from 1902 to 1941, looking at the minor wars that came after the Philippine Insurrection (or Philippine-American War, if you're politically correct), and seeing how Americans and Filipinos learned to work together, so that the Philippines can become independent someday.
The first civilian governor that the United States put over the Philippines was a future US president...2017-10-1646 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 30: The American War in the PhilippinesThis is the third episode in the mini-series we are currently doing about the Philippines. Here we cover the three-year war the Americans fought to keep the islands after they arrived in 1898. This also completes our narrative on Southeast Asia in the nineteenth century. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free!
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2017-10-0139 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 29: America Comes to the PhilippinesThis episode covers the part of the Spanish-American War that was fought in the Philippines. In doing so we will introduce the last colonial power to come to Southeast Asia, the United States. In the past the narrative could cover centuries of events with one episode, but this time almost everything happened in one year, 1898.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the
details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free!
2017-09-1638 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 28: Philippine NationalismThis episode catches up on the Philippines, a part of Southeast Asia the podcast last talked about in Episode 14. Here you will hear how Spain lost its tight grip on the islands, and the development of Southeast Asia's first modern nationalist movement. The narrative will cover events in the 1700s and most of the 1800s, and end right before the United States got involved in the Philippines, the topic of the next episode.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to...2017-09-0258 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 27: A New SiamHaving talked about how the Europeans conquered other parts of Southeast Asia in previous episodes, today we will look at the one nation that kept itself from becoming a colony -- Siam. This episode covers the years from 1782 to 1939. Here you will learn how Siam did it, and why it is now called Thailand.
Here is a map of Siam in the early 1800s, when the kingdom was at its greatest size. These borders lasted until 1863, when Britain and France started taking parts of the kingdom for themselves. The core territory they left behind became present-day...2017-08-1653 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 26: French Indochina, Part 2This podcast episode finishes what the previous episode started, covering the French conquest of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, from 1867 to 1907.
This map shows the French conquest, step by step. Although it is a French language map, if you can read English you should be able to figure out what the text is saying in most places. The white area around Hanoi was temporaily captured by Francis Garnier's 1873 expedition, and conquered more permanently in 1883.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my...2017-08-0249 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 25: French Indochina, Part 1Now the podcast moves to the east side of the Southeast Asian mainland. This is the first in a two-part series on how the French conquered Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. If you are interested in what I may say in the future about the twentieth-century Vietnam War, this episode is an important stepping stone, setting the stage to that conflict by bringing in the French.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you...2017-07-1746 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 24: On the Road to MandalayWould you believe it, the podcast is now one year old! In continuation of the narrative, this episode will cover the history of Burma/Myanmar in the nineteenth century. The main event is the British conquest, which made Burma part of British India. You will also hear me read a poem by Rudyard Kipling; listen and enjoy!
I have several pictures to share today. The first is a map showing Britain's gains in the Anglo-Burmese Wars. This is a thumbnail; click on the picture to see it full size (it will open in a separate window...2017-07-0100 min
reClaimedAddiction, the Brain, and Isolation with Tom KimballCharles and Matt have an extended discussion with Tom Kimball about collegiate recovery programs, the new brain science explaining addiction, and the critical need for connectedness. Dr. Tom Kimball is the George C. Miller Family Regents Professor at Texas Tech University and the Director of the Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities in Lubbock, Texas. He is an expert in addiction and recovery and has helped lead the growth of collegiate recovery communities to include more than 60 colleges and universities. The website for the Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities is here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs...2017-06-3049 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 23, British Singapore, Malaya, and BorneoWith this episode the podcast introduces the fourth Western empire to acquire colonies in Southeast Asia, the British Empire. Although Britain was a late participant in the imperial game, by the nineteenth century they were outperforming every other imperial power. Here you will hear how the British gained control over Malaya, Singapore, and part of Borneo.
This episode calls the Indian Ocean a "British lake." Here you can see what I meant by that; Britain ruled all the purple territories in 1914.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click...2017-06-1841 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 22, The Dutch East IndiesAfter taking a bit of a break last month, we are now ready to resume the narrative, with the first episode covering events in the nineteenth century. This time we will see how the Dutch conquered all of Indonesia, or as they called it after they took over, the Dutch East Indies.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free!
Support this...2017-06-0146 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 21, A Second IntroductionThis is a special mini-episode, because if you have been listening to the narrative, we have finished the early modern era (1500 to 1800) and are now about to begin the colonial era (1800 to 1965) in Southeast Asian history. This episode will explain what has changed in the relationship between Europe and Southeast Asia, and what made it possible for the Western nations to step in and take over, rather than just sit on the periphery like they did for the previous three hundred years.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the...2017-05-1617 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 20, Eighteenth Century Burma & SiamThis episode covers the latest round in the ongoing conflict between Myanmar and Thailand, or as they were called before the twentieth century, Burma and Siam. At the height of the fighting, the Burmese utterly destroyed Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam. But this wasn't the end of Siam; the Siamese kings move first to Thonburi, then to Bangkok, and the kingdom recovered with amazing speed.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you...2017-05-0143 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 19, The First Two Divisions of VietnamThis episode covers Vietnam in the early modern era, from 1471 to 1819. Twice during this period, Vietnam was divided between rival factions, from 1527 to 1592, and then from 1592 to 1802. We will also see Champa, Vietnam's rival in Episodes 4 and 8, for the last time. Finally, one French clergyman will invent today's Vietnamese alphabet, and another will help Vietnam pull itself together again; that marks the beginning of French involvement in Vietnam, which we will see much more in future episodes.
This map from Wikipedia shows Vietnam around 1650, in the middle of the second division. The lands belonging to all...2017-04-1749 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 18, Arakan and All ThatToday's episode wraps up coverage of seventeenth-century events in Burma, Siam and Laos, with some really obscure stories about two kingdoms that no longer exist: Arakan and Lan Xang. We will cover the peak years and decline of both kingdoms. And that's not all; we will also see another European try to gain control over a Southeast Asian state, this time Siam.
Here is the map that was originally posted in Episode 5, showing where Arakan/Rakhine is, in relation to the rest of Burma/Myanmar and Bangladesh.
This picture is from the...2017-04-0144 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 17, The Dutch East India CompanyIn recent episodes we have met two European nations that explored and exploited parts of Southeast Asia, Portugal and Spain. Now this episode introduces the Dutch and tells how they got involved in Indonesia. Because the Dutch used a corporation, the Dutch East India Company (also called the V.O.C.), this will be a very different story from that of the Portuguese and Spanish empires.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and...2017-03-1638 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 16, The Elephant Wars, Part 2This episode finishes what we started covering last time, the wars on the Southeast Asian mainland in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Whereas we mainly looked at two Burmese kings last time, here we will concentrate our attention on Naresuan, whom modern-day Thais consider their greatest king. Also, we will see a strange adventure in which two Europeans, a Portuguese and a Spaniard, try to turn Cambodia into a pro-Spanish puppet state.
Here is the scene from "The Legend of King Naresuan" movie series where Naresuan shoots a Burmese general at long range, something you shouldn't...2017-03-0134 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 15, The Elephant Wars, Part 1The last four episodes have mainly talked about events on Southeast Asia's islands, so now we will return to the mainland and the conflict that we started to cover at the end of Episode 10. Special attention is given to the two most important Burmese kings of the sixteenth century, Tabinshwehti and Bayinnaung. I call this episode and the next one "The Elephant Wars" because most of the fighting was either on elephants, or over elephants.
Here is the map from Wikipedia showing the second Burmese Empire in 1580, at the height of Bayinnaung's power...2017-02-1530 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 14, The Spanish PhilippinesIn the previous episode we learned how Spain discovered the Philippines, so in this episode Spain will name and conquer the Philippine islands, making them a colony for more than three hundred years.
(Note: A remastered edition of this episode was uploaded on March 24, 2017, with better sound quality than the original.)
Here is a map of the Philippines so listeners can keep track of all the places mentioned in this episode, from Manila to Mindanao.
Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details...2017-02-0140 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 13, Magellan's Not-so-excellent AdventureIn this episode, a second European nation, Spain, gets involved in Southeast Asia by discovering the Philippines, a part of Southeast Asia that had not gotten much attention previously. Then we will see Spain's attempts to take Indonesia and its valuable spice trade from Portugal. This map explains the Portuguese-Spanish dispute in Southeast Asia. It shows three ideas on where to put the "Tordesillas antimeridian," the line between the Portuguese and Spanish claims. Only the line on the right is in the correct place. The dotted line is where Ferdinand Magellan thought the Southeast Asian mainland...2017-01-1643 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 12, The Portuguese TrailblazersThis is the first episode of 2017, and the first episode covering events in the modern era. Here we will meet the Portuguese, the first Europeans to sail across the oceans in large numbers, see how they found Southeast Asia, and learn what they did in the region. With the European arrival, the rules of the game will change! Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting...2017-01-0138 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 11, The Long Road From Mecca to ManilaThere is one more major player in Southeast Asia to introduce before the Europeans arrive, and that player is Islam. This episode will focus on how Islam came to this part of the world, with special emphasis on Malacca, the first important Southeast Asian state that converted to the new religion. And here is a map showing how Islam spread across Southeast Asia, starting with Aceh (also spelled Acheh or Atjeh), from 1240 to 1600. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. Enter my...2016-12-1633 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 10, The Birth of Siam and LaosWe're almost finished looking at Southeast Asia in the Middle Ages. This episode tells how Siam (modern Thailand) and Lan Xang (Laos) got started. And you will get to hear me mangle more names that were never meant to be pronounced by English speakers!
Here is a map of the Southeast Asian mainland, around 1530. All of the nations mentioned in this episode are shown, with arrows indicating the main conflicts. Vieng Chan is another name for Vientiane. Source: Angkor-planet.com.
Thai kings got along well in the thirteenth century, so today in...2016-12-0142 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 9, The First Burmese EmpireThis episode covers Burma (also called Myanmar) in the Middle Ages, with special emphasis on the Bagan Empire. Visit a city with more than 2,000 pagodas! Learn what makes Theravada Buddhism different from the other Buddhist sects. Meet a king who ruled for 95 years, and another king who ate 300 dishes of curry every day! Hear me mispronounce their names! It's all here for your listening pleasure! Here is part of the Bagan skyline, showing a few of its ruined pagodas. And here is Bagan's most spectacular building, the Ananda Temple. Finally, thi...2016-11-1635 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 8, The Five Hundred Years WarThis episode covers Vietnam from 939 to 1471. During this time two nations existed in the territory of present-day Vietnam (three if you count the Khmers ruling the Mekong delta). Those nations were the Vietnamese state, currently called Dai Viet, and the Indianized state of Champa. The Vietnamese and Chams fought on and off for most of this period, hence the episode name. Who won? Listen to find out!
(Note: A remastered edition of this episode was uploaded on February 1, 2017, to replace nearly three minutes of content that somehow had been cut out of the original.) 2016-11-0142 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 7, The KhmersWe're now up to the most spectacular civilization in ancient/medieval Southeast Asia. This episode covers Cambodia from 550 to 1431, the golden age of the Khmers, ancestors of today's Cambodians. Here are some maps and pictures to give you a better idea of what I am talking about: First, a map of mainland Southeast Asia, around 750 A.D. The violet-colored nation at the bottom is Srivijaya (see Episode 6). And here is Jayavarman II in the Devaraja (god-king) ceremony. The priest is annointing a lingam, a phallus-shaped stone representing Shiva; that was the...2016-10-1640 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 6, Pre-Islamic IndonesiaThis episode covers Indonesia from the year 600 to 1500, the years when historical records become available, but before most Indonesians converted to Islam (that will be a topic for a future episode). Five major kingdoms dominated the islands during this time: Srivijaya, Mataram, Kediri, Singosari, and Majapahit. Also, we will take a detailed look at Borobudur, Indonesia's greatest monument. Here is a picture of Borobudur from the air, in case you want something to look at while following the description given in the episode. On September 20, 2016, this podcast was accepted on Acast, the big S...2016-10-0152 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 5, Ancient Burma and NanzhaoFor this episode, the main topic is how the nation of Burma, also called Myanmar, got started. We will see the Burmese and tribes related to them settle the north, and we will take a special look at Arakan, a province that often went its own way (see the map below). Also in this episode, we will see the Mons, a tribe we met previously, move the capital of their state in southern Burma, from Thaton to Bago. Finally, we will meet Nanzhao, Burma's northern neighbor from the eighth to the thirteenth century....2016-09-1638 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 4, Early VietnamThis episode will focus on the east coast of the Southeast Asian mainland, going up to 938 A.D. This timeframe covers the beginning of two nations: Vietnam and Champa. Only one of them is around today; guess which one it is.
On August 30, 2016, this podcast was added to the programs available on Stitcher. Now if you have the Stitcher app on a mobile device, you have another way to listen!
http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/berosus/history-of-southeast-asia-podcast?refid=stpr
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2016-09-0141 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 3, MandalasThe first Southeast Asian nations larger than a city-state appeared in or near the first century A.D. In other words, roughly two thousand years ago. This episode will look at Funan, the major state that arose in Cambodia, and medium-sized states like Dvaravati, Haripunjaya, Pan Pan, Langkasuka, and Tambralinga, which the Mons and Malays founded in present-day Thailand and northern Malaya. This map from Wikipedia shows the centers of political power on the Southeast Asian mainland in 1360 A.D. The episode refers to this map while explaining the loose monarchies that characterized Southeast Asian...2016-08-1631 minHistory of Southeast AsiaEpisode 2, The Main Players ArriveThe Southeast Asians you are familiar with came originally from China, in at least five waves of migration: the Austronesians or Malays, the Mon-Khmers, the Vietnamese, the Tibeto-Burmans and the Thais. In this episode we will follow the Malay and Mon-Khmer migrations. Then when the Mons make contact with India, we will see Indian civilization introduced to nearly all of Southeast Asia, setting the stage for the rise of the first Southeast Asian states.
This map from Wikimedia Commons shows the path taken by the Austronesians during their great migration. Recent research has changed some of...2016-08-0130 min