Drunk History season 5 episode 10 Recap and FAQ
Episode Summary
"Drunk History" Season 5, Episode 10, titled "Animals," dives into bizarre and enlightening stories of human-animal relations. Claudia O'Doherty recounts the ludicrous medieval trial of rats in France, where vermin were legally summoned to court for eating crops. Mae Whitman narrates Henry Bergh's establishment of the ASPCA in 1866 after witnessing animal cruelty, significantly advancing animal rights in the U.S. Rich Fulcher tells the tale of Clever Hans, a horse believed to solve math problems, later revealed to respond to human cues, not intellect. The episode showcases humanity's evolving, complex relationship with animals, blending absurdity with progress in animal welfare.
Full Episode S05E10 Recap
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the trial of the rats about?
The trial was a medieval court case in France, 1508, where rats were sued by farmers for destroying barley crops.
Who defended the rats in their trial?
Bartholomew Chassenez defended the rats, arguing they deserved a fair trial and pointing out the impossibility of summoning every rat.
What argument did Bartholomew Chassenez use to defend the rats?
He argued that the rats couldn't attend court due to the threat from their natural enemies, cats.
Who founded the ASPCA and why?
Henry Bergh founded the ASPCA in 1866 after witnessing animal cruelty in Russia, aiming to prevent cruelty towards animals in the U.S.
How did Henry Bergh contribute to animal welfare?
He enforced laws protecting animals, leading to significant reforms such as the end of dog and rat fighting in New York.
What was the story of Clever Hans?
Clever Hans was a horse that appeared to solve math problems by tapping his hoof, later found to be responding to involuntary human cues.
Who debunked Clever Hans' ability to do math?
Psychologist Oskar Pfungst debunked the horse's mathematical abilities by proving Hans was responding to human signals.
What is the Clever Hans effect?
The phenomenon where animals respond to involuntary cues from humans, named after the horse Hans who was thought to be solving math problems.
What did the trial of the rats and the story of Clever Hans reveal about human-animal interactions?
These stories highlight the complexity of interpreting animal behavior and the evolution of societal attitudes towards animals.
What impact did Henry Bergh have on the treatment of animals?
Bergh's activism led to the establishment of the ASPCA and significant legal and societal reforms in animal welfare.
Why were animals put on trial in medieval France?
Animals were tried under ecclesiastical law, which considered them accountable for actions that affected humans.
What led to the establishment of the ASPCA?
The establishment of the ASPCA was prompted by Henry Bergh's determination to combat animal cruelty and implement protective laws in the U.S.
How did society respond to Clever Hans' performances?
Society was initially fascinated by Hans' apparent mathematical abilities, but skepticism led to an investigation that revealed the truth.
What does the ASPCA stand for?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
How did the medieval trial of rats end?
The trial humorously ended with the rats being acquitted due to the impracticality of summoning each rat and the danger posed by cats.