
245. Britain Plays a Major Role in the Cold War with Fraser McCallum | Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival
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Episode · 1:00:45 · Oct 9, 2025
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Britain’s Cold War story is bigger than you ever knew.In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with historian and author Fraser McCallum to uncover the often-overlooked story of Cold War Britain. Too often reduced to a superpower showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Cold War was a global conflict — and Britain was absolutely central to it.Fraser, author of Cold War Britain: 50 Years in the Shadow of the Bomb, reveals how the Cold War reshaped the UK — from British intelligence and its notorious spy scandals to the rise of protest movements like CND and the Greenham Common protests. He shows how Britain’s nuclear ambitions, NATO involvement, and cultural life all intertwined with a conflict that defined half a century.You’ll discover:Why Britain’s role in the Cold War was far greater than most people realiseHow the UK was vital to the creation of NATO and the success of the Berlin AirliftThe devastating truth behind British nuclear weapons testing and its human costHow British intelligence in the Cold War was rocked by class privilege and spy scandals such as the Cambridge FiveThe way Cold War protests like Aldermaston and Greenham Common shaped politics and public debateHow the Cold War left its mark on British culture, television, music, and everyday lifeWhy the Cold War’s legacy still influences British politics and society todayFrom the NHS scaling back services to fund the bomb to Margaret Thatcher turning “Iron Lady” into her personal brand, this episode reveals the Cold War as a British story — one of espionage, nuclear strategy, protest, and pop culture.If you’ve ever thought of the Cold War as a distant standoff between Washington and Moscow, Fraser McCallum will change your mind. The story of Cold War Britain is one of courage, compromise, scandal, and survival — and it still shapes our world today. ️ Don’t miss the chance to engage with history live! Join us at the Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival on 1st November: https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/podcast-live Connect with Fraser MacCallum:Follow him on Instagram: @fraser_mcca11umFind him on X (Twitter): @fmcca11umPurchase his book: Cold War: 50 Years in the Shadow of the Bomb: https://shop.iwm.org.uk/products/cold-war-britain-fifty-years-in-the-shadow-of-the-bomb?srsltid=AfmBOoobMcNPt3aIzk7bpNozuodXXP973Amue5pjiI7NddhTvz9l-No- Support History Rage for ad-free episodes and exclusive content:Subscribe for just £3/month on Apple or PatreonUnlock additional perks for £5/month: patreon.com/historyrageSpread the word and bring more listeners into the Rage! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 45s · Oct 9, 2025
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