How has warfare shaped modern Europe to create the world we live in today? Understanding the comparative study of wars in Europe, from the French Revolutionary Wars to the Second World War, will help you to more deeply appreciate how conflict made the continent. Using a 'war and society' approach to this topic, you will focus on the social composition and combat effectiveness of the armies concerned, as well as the causes of the wars, and civil-military relations. There will also be discussion of these wars at the strategic and operational level. Along the way, you'll consider the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars, the mid-nineteenth century Wars of Unification, the First World War, Spanish Civil War, and Second World War. You will develop a deeper sense of how wars altered modern Europe, and how conflict influenced political and economic change in this period.
Lectures: 16 hours.
Seminars: 16 hours.
Spring Term or Summer Term
Written. Podcast Review. Students choose an 'In Our Time' podcast to analyse and review, using some key interpretive tools (1,000 words). Worth 40%.
Written. Essay. Students interpret question using primary sources and the secondary literature on a topic (1,500 words). Worth 60%.
Reassessment method:
Single instrument 100% written assessment (1,500 words)
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Understand the historiography and history of Europe at war, c. 1789-1945.
2. Evaluate the history and historiography of various wars in a comparative framework.
3. Differentiate between a wide range of armed forces, political systems, and operational theatres.
4. Review a variety of historical writings and formulate a reasoned critique of their reliability.
5. Work effectively independently or in groups to construct and defend a position and argument.
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