logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
55m 6s

331: American Witches

Goalhanger
About this episode
It’s 1647, and in New England, where puritan settlers live in fear of God’s wrath and a hostile indigenous population, there are rumours coming from Boston, and up the Connecticut valley, that witches are to blame for the death of local children… In today’s episode, Tom and Dominic are joined by historian Malcolm Gaskill, as they discuss witch crazes, hunts ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)
How did the War of 1812 result in America’s national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner? Who came up with it? And, why does this origin story make the anthem so controversial? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the first episode of their Football World Cup special, with the s ... Show More
1h 10m
Jun 3
676. The First World War: Churchill’s Calamity (Part 6)
After Gallipoli has descended into a bloodbath, why do the British pour in more troops? Does Churchill finally understand his fateful error? How do the allies escape the total mess they find themselves in? And, why has this failed campaign become the foundational moment of Anzac ... Show More
1h 17m
May 31
675. The First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)
Why was the Battle of Gallipoli, starting in February 1915, in Turkey, so disastrous for the Allies, and in particular, Winston Churchill? How has it become such a foundational moment in the national identity of New Zealand and Australia? And, how did it transform the destiny of ... Show More
1h 16m
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
150. Worlds Colliding: Seizing Settlers in New England
Deerfield, February 1704. The small, puritan town of roughly 300 inhabitants in western Massachusetts has been riven with tension ever since the French and Native American forces had begun raiding them at the end of the previous year. The snows of winter have settled over New Eng ... Show More
39m 51s
Nov 2019
Ep 61 | Thanksgiving Is Not Racist & Neither Were the Pilgrims | The Glenn Beck Podcast
Despite how progressives may try to rewrite history, the truth is the Pilgrims were America’s first abolitionists. In fact, they also planted seeds for our equality, free market, freedom of religion, education, due process, private property, and much more! One year shy of the Ply ... Show More
1h 9m
Apr 2023
Mary Dyer and the Boston Martyrs
<p>Mary Dyer endured religious persecution and personal tragedy. Then, she was banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for her religious activities. </p> <p><strong>Research:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bremer, Francis J. "Dissenting Puritans: Anne Hutchinson and Mary Dyer." Historical ... Show More
40m 21s
Nov 2015
The Salem Witch Trials
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the outbreak of witch trials in Massachusetts in 1692-3, centred on Salem, which led to the execution of twenty people, with more dying in prison before or after trial. Some were men, including Giles Corey who died after being pressed with heavy ro ... Show More
45m 28s
Feb 2022
The Devil Went Down To Salem (The Salem Witch Trials)
The story behind the most famous witch trials in American history. What brought the devil to Salem? How did the hysteria start, and what led to the deaths of those involved?Timestamps:Monologue: 00:00:00 - 00:37:39Discussion: 00:37:40 - 01:17:09Submit your questions to be answere ... Show More
1h 12m
Nov 2022
The First Thanksgiving
<p>In the fall of 1621, a year after the pilgrim ship the Mayflower landed on the coast of New England, the settlers of the Plymouth Colony celebrated their first successful harvest. Joining them at the three day feast were the Wampanoag people, Native Americans who had to taught ... Show More
45m 10s
Dec 2023
The Amish: Origins and Society
<p>Simple living, plain dress and pacifism. This is not a lifestyle typical of the United States. So how did the Amish come to be in America? Where did this religion come from? And how has their society changed with modernisation?</p><br><p>In this episode, Don and Dr Joseph Donn ... Show More
39m 7s
Dec 2021
Episode 38: Frank Cali
On Episode 38 of the Sit Down, Jeff and BlackJack delve into one of the most bizarre events in mob history, the killing of Gambino acting boss Frank Cali. Cali was a rising star and heavyweight in the current day leadership and many believed a mob war started when he was killed, ... Show More
1h 4m
Jan 2020
Herrin Massacre
In the spring of 1922, the United Mine Workers of America announced a national strike. And then, that summer in Herrin, Illinois, 23 people were murdered over two days. Men, women, and children came out of their houses to watch, and in some cases, to take part in the violence. Sc ... Show More
26m 53s