Enlightenment & Revolutions

12 stories

Reason, rights, and revolutions. The era that invented modern politics.

A 6'8 Russian tsar travels Europe undercover, learns shipbuilding, comes home, shaves all the boyars' beards by force, and builds St. Petersburg in a swamp.

Catherine the Great

A German princess marries the wrong tsar, has him deposed (and possibly killed), then rules Russia for 34 years and almost doubles its size.

Voltaire and the Philosophes

A bunch of French intellectuals get exiled, locked up, and bestselling for arguing that maybe kings and priests aren't always right.

The Seven Years' War

The first true world war. Britain vs France in Europe, North America, India, and the Caribbean. Britain wins, gets Canada, and accidentally bankrupts itself.

The Boston Tea Party

Colonists dressed as Mohawks dump 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor. The most expensive tantrum in history.

The Declaration of Independence

Thirteen tiny colonies write a breakup letter to the world's biggest empire. 'All men are created equal' becomes a problem they don't fully solve.

Washington Crosses the Delaware

On Christmas night, in a snowstorm, Washington rows across an icy river to ambush drunk Hessian troops. Saves the entire Revolution.

The Surrender at Yorktown

Trapped between Washington's army and the French navy, the British surrender. The band reportedly plays 'The World Turned Upside Down.'

Storming the Bastille

A Paris mob breaks into a royal prison, finds only seven prisoners (none of them political), and kicks off the French Revolution anyway.

Marie Antoinette's Execution

The queen who probably never said 'let them eat cake' is paraded through Paris in a cart and beheaded. She apologizes to the executioner for stepping on his foot.

The Reign of Terror

The French Revolution starts eating its own. Robespierre sends thousands to the guillotine, then it's his turn. The blade is impartial.

The Haitian Revolution

Enslaved people in France's richest colony rise up, defeat Napoleon's army, and found the first free Black republic. Then France charges them for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What stories does the Enlightenment & Revolutions era include?

History Tea covers 12 stories from Enlightenment & Revolutions, including Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Voltaire and the Philosophes, The Seven Years' War and 8 more. Each one is retold as immersive audio narration.

Can I listen to Enlightenment & Revolutions stories for free?

Yes! All 12 Enlightenment & Revolutions stories on History Tea are completely free. Download the app on iOS and start listening today.

What is the Enlightenment & Revolutions era about?

Reason, rights, and revolutions. The era that invented modern politics. History Tea retells each Enlightenment & Revolutions story as modern, immersive audio you can listen to anywhere.

How long are the Enlightenment & Revolutions audio stories?

Each Enlightenment & Revolutions story on History Tea runs between 5–15 minutes of immersive audio narration — perfect for a commute, workout, or before bed.