Communist Russia, Tram Cars and the Gold Standard

Welcome to "What the Paper Said" with your host, Patrick Crozier. In this episode, we will dive into the pages of The Times from a century ago, sharing some interesting news from the week ending on the 3rd of February, 1924. While the theme of the episode is focused on the gold standard, you will find a selection of unique stories from around the world that took place during this week in history.

The episode begins with some international news; Lenin's funeral which saw Petrograd renamed as Leningrad, and the tumultuous politics of the Soviet Union. Britain made the move to officially recognise the Soviet Union and in Omsk, a rebellion brought a fiery end to a local communist committee meeting. From Russia, we transition to the United States where the Teapot Dome scandal has begun to reveal corruption and greed at high governmental levels.

Moving away from politics, the host, Patrick Crozier covers less-touched upon territories like India, which was at that time a part of the British Empire. The Times carried an article about the political scenario of India, shedding light on representation, power dynamics, and the region's imminent influential figures – Gandhi and Nehru. Also discussed were legal rulings in South Africa that impacted race relations and the ubiquitous annoyance of tram cars.

The episode then dives into the world of finance, as Patrick discusses The Times' Annual Financial and Commercial Review and educates listeners on the ebb and flow of the economy after World War I - the boom and bust that followed - and how the gold standard played a significant role in stabilising the economy during those times. Furthermore, he touches upon a critical aspect of what was then considered a solution to money printing - the Gold Standard - exploring its pros and cons, and dispelling myths associated with it.

This episode offers an engaging journey through history, providing unique insights into international politics, finance, common law, and everyday lifefrom the 1920s. Tune into "What the Paper Said" and enjoy an immersive time travel experience.