World War II in Asia began earlier—and was far darker.

When did World War II really begin in the Pacific? According to historian Jenny Chan, the answer isn’t 1941 and Pearl Harbor. It’s 1931—and the consequences reshaped Asia long before Europe went to war.

In this powerful and unflinching episode of History Rage, Paul Bavill is joined by Jenny Chan, historian, author, and co-founder of Pacific Atrocities Education, to expose the forgotten atrocities of the Second World War in Asia. From the Mukden Incident and the invasion of Manchuria to the Rape of Nanjing and the horrors of Unit 731, this episode confronts the systemic violence that began a decade before Pearl Harbor—and challenges the Western narrative of WWII.

Jenny argues that framing the Pacific War as starting in 1941 erases millions of Asian victims. Japan’s occupation of Manchuria in 1931 marked the beginning of large-scale imperial expansion, biological warfare experimentation, forced labour, and state-sponsored sexual slavery. The brutality of the Nanjing Massacre in 1937 shocked even foreign observers. Meanwhile, Unit 731 conducted human experimentation on an industrial scale—research later shielded from prosecution in exchange for scientific data.

This episode explores:

• Why WWII in Asia began in 1931, not 1941
• The Mukden Incident and the failure of the League of Nations
• The Nanjing Massacre and its global implications
• Unit 731 and Japan’s biological warfare programme
• Forced labour, “comfort women,” and racial ideology
• Why many perpetrators avoided justice after 1945
• How the war’s end triggered civil wars and Cold War conflicts across Asia

Jenny also explains how Cold War politics reshaped justice in Asia, why some alleged war criminals returned to positions of power, and how unresolved trauma still shapes East Asian geopolitics today.

This is essential listening for anyone interested in World War II history, Pacific War history, Japanese imperialism, war crimes, or the global consequences of empire.

About Jenny Chan

Jenny Chan is a historian, author, and co-founder of Pacific Atrocities Education, a non-profit organisation dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of WWII in Asia.

Her book:

Maruta: Unit 731, Human Experimentation, and the Forgotten Asian Auschwitz

Buy: https://amzn.eu/d/01w9DEyv

She is also the creator of the YouTube channel Pacific Front Untold, featuring survivor testimonies and archival research.

Follow and connect with Jenny Chan:

• Instagram: @PacificAtrocitiesEdu
• YouTube: Pacific Front Untold: https://www.youtube.com/@PacificFrontUntold
• Organisation: Pacific Atrocities Education: https://www.pacificatrocities.org/

Support History Rage

If you enjoy fearless historical debate and myth-busting rage:

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World War II did not begin with Pearl Harbor. It did not end cleanly in 1945. And for millions across Asia, its wounds never truly closed.

Listen now and rethink everything you thought you knew about the Pacific War.

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Think you know Boudicca? Discover the forgotten women who fought beside her.

The story of Boudicca is etched into history, but what if the most powerful warrior queen was actually one of three? In this episode of History Rage, regular host Paul Bavill sits down with journalist and bestselling novelist Elodie Harper to shatter modern prejudices and Victorian myths surrounding Iron Age warrior women. If you’ve ever been told that powerful women didn’t exist in ancient Britain, prepare to have that misconception thoroughly dismantled.

Inside the Episode

Elodie dives deep into the archaeological and written evidence—from warrior style burials to the contemporary Roman records of Tacitus—proving that female authority, status, and military power were very real features of the ancient Celtic world.

Discover the hidden history behind Elodie’s latest book, Boudicca’s Daughter. While the Romans recorded the brutal atrocities committed against Boudicca’s two unnamed daughters to humiliate their bloodline, history has long left them in their mother's shadow as mere ciphers. Elodie explains why she chose to give these women their names and voices back, exploring the psychological aftermath of their trauma and their roles as political figureheads in Rome's greatest provincial crisis.

From the pitfalls of Victorian romanticization to how Elizabeth I invented our image of Boudicca's red hair, this episode is a passionate rally against the failure of imagination in modern historical storytelling.

See Elodie Live at Chalke History Festival

Elodie Harper will be speaking live at the Chalke History Festival on Saturday, 27th June at 1:15 PM. Don't miss your chance to hear more about this incredible history immersive experience!

• Get your tickets here: https://www.chalkefestival.com/

Support the Author & The Show

• Buy the Book: Grab your copy of Boudicca's Daughter directly from the History Rage Bookshop and support independent retailers: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781804544655
• Follow Elodie Harper: Connect with Elodie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elodielharper

Love Misunderstood Women in Power? Listen Next:

• Episode 306: Kate Williams rages that Catherine the Great didn't die having sex with a horse.
• Episode 298: Linda Porter rages that Mary Queen of Scots is not a bloody stupid woman.

Support History Rage

If you want to help us keep burying historical myths under King's Cross Station, consider becoming a History Rager on Patreon! For just £5 a month, you'll get entry into our monthly book draw, the invite to submit guest questions, access to monthly live streams, and the coveted History Rage mug.

• Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage
• Follow History Rage on Twitter/X: https://x.com/historyrage

Stay angry!

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The forgotten woman behind today’s global conspiracy thinking

Conspiracy theories didn’t begin with the moon landing. They didn’t start with QAnon. And they certainly didn’t begin on Reddit.

In this explosive episode of History Rage, Professor James Crossland returns to uncover the origins of modern conspiracy culture — and the overlooked figure who helped shape it. Long before talk of the “deep state,” the “New World Order,” or shadowy global elites, one British writer in the 1920s fused together Jews, Freemasons, Bolsheviks and secret societies into a single sweeping theory of world domination.

Her name was Nesta Helen Webster — and according to Crossland, she is “patient zero for the plague of conspiracy-fed stupidity.”

Drawing on his research into extremism, fascism and political violence, James explains how Webster inherited earlier myths about the Illuminati and the French Revolution and repackaged them for the post–First World War world. In an age of fear, upheaval and political instability, she offered something dangerously seductive: a simple explanation for complex events.

We explore:

• The real history of the Illuminati in 1770s Bavaria
• Why the French Revolution became a conspiratorial blueprint
• How the Bolshevik Revolution intensified global paranoia
• The role of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion
• The rise of the British Fascisti
• The roots of the American far right and the John Birch Society
• How conspiracy thinking evolves, mutates and survives

From Adam Weishaupt to QAnon, from interwar Britain to modern America, this episode traces the long thread of conspiratorial belief and asks a crucial question: why do these ideas endure?

If you want to understand the historical roots of today’s global conspiracy movements — and why they feel so persuasive — this is essential listening.

About the Guest

Professor James Crossland is Director of the Centre for Modern and Contemporary History at Liverpool John Moores University. His research focuses on extremism, political violence, war crimes and the darker sides of modern history.

He is also host of the podcast History’s Devils, where each episode dives deep into some of history’s most troubling and complex figures — terrorists, war criminals, spies and ideological extremists.

Follow James:

• X (Twitter): @DrJCrossland
• Bluesky: @james.crossland.bsky.social
• Podcast: History’s Devils (available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and all major platforms)
• Follow History’s Devils on Instagram @historysdevils

Why This Episode Matters

Conspiracy theories thrive in times of fear. After the First World War, confusion and anger created fertile ground for simple answers. Webster provided a framework so adaptable that it still underpins movements today.

As James argues, conspiracy culture persists because it offers clarity where history offers complexity. It replaces polycausal explanation with villain-driven narrative. It provides belonging, identity and meaning.

Understanding its history is not optional — it’s essential.

Support History Rage

If you enjoy fearless historical debate and myth-busting:

• Join the Rage on Patreon: www.patreon.com/historyrage
• £5 per month includes:
• Entry into the monthly book draw
• Access to the monthly livestream
• The coveted History Rage mug
• Listen ad-free via Apple Subscriptions (£3 per month)
• Follow and contact History Rage:
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• Email: historyragepod@gmail.com

And if you love the show, tell someone. Bring another historian aboard the Rage Train.

History is complex. Conspiracies are simple.

And that simplicity is the danger.

Stay angry.

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Discover the truth behind history's most persistent and monstrous sexual slur.

Think you know how Russia’s greatest empress met her end? If you are still repeating the infamous stallion myth, you have fallen hook, line, and sinker for 18th-century wartime propaganda.

In this special episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with the brilliant Professor Kate Williams to completely dismantle the pervasive, malicious lies built to tear down powerful women in history. From Cleopatra being branded a mere "seductress" to Marie Antoinette's alleged scandals, powerful women have always faced intensely gendered character assassinations.

But Catherine the Great took the brunt of it.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The Cold Hard Truth: Exactly how Catherine the Great actually died (peacefully in her bed at age 67 from a stroke!).
• The Origin of the Lie: How her British, French, and Polish enemies weaponized satirical gossip to reduce a massive global superpower to a monstrous joke.
• The Real Legacy: Why Catherine was actually a groundbreaking vaccine pioneer, a champion of state education, and a builder of public health infrastructure.
• Despot vs. Democrat: The fascinating dichotomy of an absolute ruler who implemented policies we now associate with modern democracies.

Stop letting 300-year-old "banter" dictate historical fact. It is time to respect one of Russia's most successful monarchs for her sharp political mind rather than a fabricated bedroom scandal.

Hear More From Kate Williams

· Grab the Book: Unpack the full history of how the images imposed on queens become all-consuming. Buy Kate's latest book, Regina: A New History of Women and Power, directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781474621359

· See Her Live: Kate will be speaking at the Chalke History Festival on Thursday, 25th June at 2:00 PM. Secure your spot and buy tickets now at the Chalke Festival Official Website: https://www.chalkefestival.com/

• Connect: Follow Professor Kate Williams on social media for more historical insights on social media at @KateWilliamsme

Recommended Episodes to Catch Next

If this deep dive into historical misrepresentation got your blood boiling, check out these related episodes:

• Episode 232: Elizabeth Norton rages about the Queens Regnant.
• Episode 199: Una McIlvenna rages the truth about Catherine de Medici.

Support History Rage & Join the Revolution!

Loved this episode? Help us keep the rage alive and access exclusive perks:

• Patreon: Support the podcast for just £5 a month to get entry into our monthly book draw, invite privileges for future guest Q&As, access to monthly live streams, and the highly coveted History Rage Mug! Join the inner circle at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage
• Follow Us: Stay updated on all future rages by following the show on your favorite podcast platform.

Stay angry!

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Think the Black Death was just a medieval European tragedy? Think again.

When you picture the Black Death, you probably imagine a third of Europe being wiped out while flagellants marched through British and French villages. But pandemics don’t stop at borders. What if our standard history lessons have completely ignored more than half of the story?

In this special episode for the Chalke History Festival, host Paul Bavill sits down with Tom Asbridge, Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary University of London and author of The Black Death, a Global History. Together, they shatter the Euro-centric myths to reveal a truly global disaster that stretched from Central Asia all the way across the medieval world.

Discover how the plague reshaped the wealthy and sophisticated Mamluk Empire. Massive Middle Eastern cities like Cairo—which completely dwarfed London with a population of half a million people—faced unimaginable mass mortality. Tom explains the fascinating doctrinal differences that dictated survival; while Christian Europe viewed the disease as divine punishment that justified flight and abandonment, Islamic doctrine saw it as a merciful martyrdom. This completely altered how communities reacted, locked down, and ultimately collapsed under the weight of the pandemic.

From the horrific eyewitness accounts of parents burying their own children to the long-term socioeconomic shifts that triggered peasant revolts and altered workers' rights, this episode zooms out to a global scale and zooms in on the raw human experience. If you want to understand the true scale of history's most terrifying disease, hit play now!

About Our Guest

• Tom Asbridge is a professional historian, author, and Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary University of London.
• See Tom Live: Catch Tom speaking at the Chalke History Festival on Friday 26th June at 4:00 PM. Grab your tickets at: https://www.chalkefestival.com/
• Buy the Book: Get your copy of The Black Death, a Global History directly from the History Rage Bookshop to support the show: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780241399408

Recommended Episodes To Check Out Next

• Episode 193: Luke Pepera rages that there is an African history long before any Europeans turned up.
• Episode 143: Eleanor Janega brings the rage to prove that medieval women absolutely worked.

Support and Follow History Rage

If you love truth being freed and myth getting a long, slow, brutal death, help us keep the anger alive!

• Support us on Patreon: Join the inner circle for £5 a month to get entry into our monthly book draws, pitch questions to future guests, access live streams, and grab the coveted History Rage mug: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage
• Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/HistoryRage
• Visit our Website: Get the latest updates and episodes directly at https://www.historyrage.com

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Berlin wasn’t blockaded — and that changes everything you think.

Was Berlin really “blockaded” in 1948? Or have we been repeating a Cold War myth for nearly eighty years?

In this explosive episode of History Rage, cultural historian and author Joseph Pearson dismantles one of the most entrenched narratives of the early Cold War. We all know the story: Stalin sealed off West Berlin, starving its people, and the West heroically saved the city through the Berlin Airlift. But what if Berlin was never truly blockaded at all?

Drawing on deep archival research and firsthand accounts from Berliners, Pearson argues that the term “blockade” is historically misleading. While ground and rail access from West Germany was restricted, movement between East and West Berlin continued. Civilians crossed borders. Food flowed in. Even Soviet authorities offered rations. The airlift was real — and extraordinary — but the idea of a city completely sealed off is far more myth than fact.

We explore:

• What a “blockade” actually means — and why the word matters
• How ordinary Berliners experienced the airlift
• The women who built Tegel Airport in just 90 days
• The terrifying near-misses that could have sparked World War III
• The propaganda war that turned former enemies into allies
• Why the Berlin Airlift remains a masterclass in geopolitical brinkmanship

Joseph Pearson, originally from Canada and now based in Berlin, specialises in everyday history — the lived experience behind the headlines. His latest book examines the Berlin Airlift through the eyes of civilians and pilots, revealing a more complex, human and politically charged story.

Guest Details:

Joseph Pearson is a cultural historian and author based in Berlin.

Book: The Airlift: Victories, Myths, and the Berlin Blockade

Buy here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781803998220

Follow Joseph on Instagram @writing_joseph

If you care about Cold War history, post-war Germany, the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, or how propaganda shapes memory — this episode will challenge what you thought you knew.

Episode recommendations:

Episode 219 – Giles Milton on Post War Berlin - https://pod.fo/e/2f6bc6

Episode 103 – Katja Hoyer on East Germany - https://pod.fo/e/21793e

Follow & Support History Rage

🎙 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms

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👉 www.patreon.com/historyrage

Join the conversation on social media and share your rage @historyrage

Have a myth you want dismantled? Get in touch via the website.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it genuinely helps more people discover the show.

History is human. History is political. And sometimes… history is wrong.

Welcome to History Rage.

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Why history’s greatest Athenian leader may be wildly misunderstood today

Was Pericles really the mastermind behind Athens’ Golden Age — or have historians spent centuries exaggerating his importance?

In this explosive episode of History Rage, acclaimed classicist and Cambridge professor Paul Cartledge tears apart the modern obsession with “Periclean Athens” and argues that ancient democracy was far more complex than the story of one great man. From the origins of democracy and demagogues to the brutal realities of Athenian politics, this is a fascinating deep dive into Ancient Greece, the Peloponnesian War, Sparta, rhetoric, and political power.

Paul explains why Pericles could never have ruled like a dictator, why Athens executed failed politicians, and why modern comparisons between Pericles and modern autocrats completely miss the point. He also explores the cultural mythmaking around the Parthenon, the famous Funeral Oration, and the role of Thucydides in shaping Pericles’ legendary reputation.

The conversation also shines a spotlight on Aspasia of Miletus — often unfairly dismissed as Pericles’ “mistress.” Paul argues passionately that Aspasia was Pericles’ intellectual equal and one of the most misunderstood women in ancient history.

If you love Ancient Greek history, classical civilisation, democracy, Sparta vs Athens, Greek philosophy, or the politics of historical memory, this episode is essential listening.

In this episode:

• Was Pericles really responsible for Athens’ Golden Age?
• How Athenian democracy actually worked
• Why the word “demagogue” changed meaning
• The truth about Aspasia of Miletus
• Pericles, Sparta and the outbreak of total war
• Ancient rhetoric and political persuasion
• Why historians still argue about Pericles today

Paul Cartledge’s book:

Pericles: Statesman, Demagogue, Eccentric

Buy through the History Rage Bookshop:

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781836392002

See Paul at Chalke History Festival

Paul is speaking at the on Wednesday 24th June.

Tickets available here:

https://www.chalkefestival.com/

Follow Paul Cartledge:

https://www.classics.cam.ac.uk/directory/paul-cartledge

Support History Rage:

If you enjoy the podcast, you can support History Rage on Patreon for bonus content, livestreams, book giveaways and more:

https://www.patreon.com/historyrage

Follow History Rage:

https://historyrage.com

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