Week 30: Tobacco Comes to England
Summary
This episode covers historical events from July 23–29, highlighting July 26’s tragedies: Khan Krum’s skull cup, the Erfurt latrine disaster, and Atahualpa’s death. The main topic is Sir Walter Raleigh’s 1586 introduction of tobacco to England. It details how royal endorsement fueled its popularity, driving colonial economies and the slave trade in North America.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Liquid IV and Range Rover Sport
Intro: Week 30 history overview and July 26th events
Khan Krum and the skull cup of Emperor Nikephoros I
The Erfurt Latrine Disaster of 1184
Death of Atahualpa, the last Sapa Inca
Introduction of tobacco to Europe and the Americas
Early European reactions and medical uses of tobacco
Sir Walter Raleigh's role in popularizing tobacco in England
Anecdotes: Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth, and the smoke wager
King James I's opposition and the rise of tobacco plantations
Tobacco's impact on the slave trade and US history
Outro and sponsor ads for Liquid IV and FX's The Shards
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