Margaret MacMillan: Are We Headed Back to the WWI Era Again?

Margaret MacMillan: Are We Headed Back to the WWI Era Again?

August 25, 2026 · 43 min · Episode 114

About this episode

Historian Margaret MacMillan discusses historical parallels to the pre-WWI era and contemporary political issues with host Steve.

In our “Best of The Paikin Podcast,” historian Margaret MacMillan joins Steve to discuss the history we are living through, how it reminds her of the zero-sum period before the First World War, how seriously Canada should take Trump’s 51st state rhetoric, and the history of American attempts to invade Canada. They then discuss Canada’s defence spending, how Trump is unlike any president in American history, how he reminds her of Louis XIV or Henry VIII, the history of middle or smaller powers holding off greater powers, and the cracks growing in the MAGA movement.

People in this episode

Host: Steve

Guest: Margaret MacMillan

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Trump, MAGA movement

Places: Canada, United States

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