Mahjong: East-West Cultural Fusion

1. Russia's Invasion of Central Asia - Annexations from 1845-1873.

In this first part of this new mini-series, we explore Imperial Russia's Invasion of Central Asia, focusing primarily on the annexations that took place between 1845 and 1873. In the entire process, lasting roughly 50 years, the Russian Empire added 1.5 million square kilometres and 6 million people to its territory! Tune in to hear all about it!

Was it Justifiable to Drain the Aral Sea for Cotton Farming?

In the final episode of my EPQ mini-series about why the Soviet Union drained the world's 4th largest lake and whether it was justifiable to do so for cotton farming, we analyse the positive economic effects of the cotton industry against the negative social, environmental and economic effects of the Aral Sea's destruction itself.

A Conversation with Dr Cameron Pyke.

In episode 2 of my EPQ podcast mini-series about why the Soviet Union drained the world's 4th largest lake and whether it was justifiable to do so for cotton farming, I have a conversation with Dr Cameron Pyke, an expert on Russian history and author of 'Benjamin Britten and Russia'. We talk about the political climate in the Soviet Union as the Aral Sea was shrinking, the legacy of the empire's agricultural policies, and even their colonialist undertones.

Why Did the USSR Drain the Aral Sea for Cotton Cultivation Irrigation?

In episode 1 of my new mini-series, titled 'Why did the USSR Drain the Aral Sea for Cotton Cultivation Irrigation and to what extent was it justifiable?', we explore the reasons for Russia's pursuit of wasteful cotton farming projects in Central Asia, and the effect it has had on the Aral Sea!

Mahjong: East-West Cultural Fusion

In this episode of His Story on History, I explore the history of the Chinese game Mahjong, how it developed to become a world phenomenon and its impact on the development of American culture.