koreanwarpodcast

The Movement

A biography of Fidel Castro, he set up an group to oppose the Cuban dictator, known as the Movement. He organised an armed attack against an army barracks but it was a failure. Fidel Castro was put on trial and sentenced to fifteen years in prison but instead he served less than two years in prison before he was freed, a bad decision by the Cuban Government because Fidel Castro would go back to the business of overthrowing that Government. Fidel Castro and brother Raul went into exile in Mexico.

Cuba 1898 to 1952

This episode is the first of a ten part series on Cuba and the Cuban Revolution. This episode deals with the American involvement in Cuba following the Spanish-American War, American business would dominate the Cuban economy. Cuba was damaged by dictators who governed Cuba, however by 1940 the country had a democratic government but it was overthrown in 1952 by Batista, his biography is given.

Dominican Republic

Perhaps the most brutal dictatorship in Latin America was in the Dominican Republic, it was governed for over thirty years by the repressive and murderous Rafael Trujillo. His biography is given, he became one of the richest men in the world due to his corruption. The country agony would not be ended by his death, by 1965 a democratic left wing government had been removed in a coup and that would led to a revolt and the American Government sending in troops and Marines to restore order.

To be published on Saturday 21st October

Latin America

A survey of the political climate in the countries of Latin America between 1945 and 1965. It is largely a story of political coups, misrule and repression. Democracy would be taken up only to be crushed in a military coup. A biography of leader of Argentina after the second world war Peron and his relationship with his wife Evita, who is known widely known by the musical and film named after her. Also a talk on the civil war in Guatemala.

Central America

A look at American involvement in Central America in the early part of the 20th Century. Then a more detailed look at the American involvement in the Costa Rican Civil War which saw the removal of a dictator and the creation of a successful democratic country, which Costa Rica still is. Also the American CIA involvement in Guatemala, which saw the overthrow of a democratic elected left wing Government and its replacement with a dictator.

Allan Dulles and the CIA

After the Second World War, the American Government set up the Central Intelligence Agency commonly known as the CIA. During the Korean War, it performed poorly. Allan Dulles was appointed the director of the CIA, his biography is given, The CIA not only undertook spying but helped overthrow Governments in Iran and Central American. It also carried trails on mind altering drugs such as LSD.

Eisenhower and the Korean War

Eisenhower won the 1952 election to be the American President, promising to bring the Korean War to an end. Eisenhower would visit South Korea tp speak with American military commanders and meet with South Korean President Rhee, who would prove to be an obstacle in obtaining an end of the war. The death of Stalin in March 1953, opened the way to real peace talks to end the Korean War. The Korean War would make President Eisenhower very cautious about further American military involvement.

Truman and the Korean War

President Truman would commit American troops to the defence of South Korea after it was invaded in June 1950. Truman would appoint General Mac Arthur to be the overall commander the American military in Korea, and after the successful landing at Inchon, the American Army pressed on to North Korea. However the Chinese army would intervene and force the Americans into a retreat. General Mac Arthur wanted to attack mainland China and publicly campaign for a wider war that would led to Truman firing him.

To be publish on Saturday 16th September

The rise and fall of McCarthyism

Senator Joe McCarthy would destroy the careers of those he described as Communist, some were, some were not by bullying, smears of homosexuality and distortion. He himself would be brought down by similar tactics but it was not a Communist conspiracy but one led by President Eisenhower that would finish him as a major political figure in the United States.

To be published on Saturday 9th September.

Soviet spies in the United States

During and after the Second World War, the Soviets had considerable spy network in the United States passing on Government secrets to the Soviets. Some of these American agents worked at the highest levels within the American Government. However it was the Manhattan project which involved the development of the atomic bomb, in which Soviet agents passed on information which allowed the Soviet to produce their own atomic bomb in 1949. The story of the husband and wife Soviet spies the Rosenbergs who would be executed is told.

To be published on Saturday 2nd September.