LESSON 7 - HISTORIOGRAPHY

Think we might run a "top trumps" of famous historians for this session!  All punters welcome but strictly no side-bets:  it's the rules of the house, don't you know?

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LESSON 6 UNDERLYING TENSIONS AND "DIRECT" CAUSES

Germany's culpability for the outbreak of the First World War remains strongly debated to this day.  In the next lessons we will be looking at the views of eminent historians both old and new including the following:

• A.J.P. Taylor - have a good anecdote for you regarding him and time-keeping!
• Fritz Fischer
• George-Henri Soutou
• Sean McMeekin
• Niall Ferguson
• Christopher Clark
• John Rohl
• Hew Strachen

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HISTORY: GRAND NARRATIVES AND SMALL, PERSONAL NARRATIVES

After we discussed these concepts, I wondered what would make a good example of the personal, small narratives of our lives.  An idea then came to me over a strong coffee this morning, when I glanced at the array of postcards, photographs and fridge magnets on my fridge/freezer.  In a way this would serve as one form of evidence of my narrative and also how I wish to represent it -sailing towards more controversial waters on the representation issue...

I wonder what you would use to evidence your own smaller and personal narratives?

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MMU

A big thank you to all the staff and students of the MMU for making my stint so enjoyable and memorable.  The sandwiches, crisps etc during Friday afternoon's session were a pleasant surprise! 

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TRENCHES ON THE WEB

Another great site to explore the tranches of WW1 and to find links to other interesting sites connected to the First World War.

http://worldwar1.com/trenchesontheweb.htm

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ART OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

A great guided tour of artists from all sides in the war can be accessed at:

http://www.memorial.fr/10EVENT/EXPO1418/gb/visite.html

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LESSON 6: LONG TERM AND SHORTER TERM FACTORS

On Monday we are continuing with the issue of causation and the long and short term factors that played a part in causing the First World War.  We are also looking at ideas for your displays.

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I'M CURRENTLY LISTENING TO...

CATASTROPHE: EUROPE GOES TO WAR 1914 BY MAX HASTINGS.

I'm really enjoying this unabridged audio-book.  

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BY JINGO!

In our last lesson we were looking at the naval arms race and the increasing tension between Great Britain and Germany.  The term "jingoism" was also discussed and how it was coined.  It came from a music-hall song from the 1870s and the word then acquired a life of its own as sometimes happens.  Here is some additional information courtesy of that cribber's digest Wikepedia!

The chorus of a song by G. H. MacDermott (singer) and G. W. Hunt (songwriter) commonly sung in British pubs and music halls around the time of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) gave birth to the term.^[2][3] The lyrics had the chorus:

We don't want to fight but by Jingo if we do

We've got the ships, we've got the men, we've got the money too
We've fought the Bear before, and while we're Britons true

The Russians shall not have Constantinople.

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PRE-RAPHAELITE PAINTINGS

I know they are considered twee in some circles but I'm still a sucker for a PRB painting and I know Lydia is a huge fan too.  I could look at these three paintings all day.  

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GREETINGS FROM THE EAST WING

I thought we would take an Edwardian interlude this evening before we hurtle towards the Georgian era and the calamity of 1914.  For tonight however, let us partake in a leisurely promenade and afterwards straighten the antimacassars on our ox-blood leather high chairs and listen to a little Balfe, then some Lauder, Lloyd and Sullivan whilst indulging in a sun-downer or two.  Let us ruminate on a world that still had faith in progress, evolutionary change - a world of liberal optimism as Britain became party to the Entente Cordiale of 1904.

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NEW IMPERIALISM POWERPOINT

Lecture 3 new imperialism 2013 from quintus

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TODAY'S QUIZ

Enjoyed the quiz today and all the Great Powers ended up with respectable scores.  Interesting to see our own Triple Alliance triumph with a win for Germany in the re-match of WWI!  



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YOUR ESSAYS

Really enjoyed reading your essays on Bismarck and how you explained all those pesky alliances and treaties so well without losing sight of their relevance by getting lost in the detail.  Equally liked the fact you had obviously done some independent research and your use of quotes was appropriate.  Remember that Bismarck created a vacuum in German politics that was always going to be impossible to fill.  Also. he had left the Germans with a fledgling but feeble democracy and a yearning for a strong leader - they transferred this trust in Kaiser Wilhelm II which proved misplaced and this need for a leader (Fuhrer) was exploited later on by Adolf Hitler.

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BECOME A FOLLOWER

YOUR BLOG NEEDS YOU!

JOIN UP AS A FOLLOWER - IT TAKES LESS TIME THAN AN AUSTRALIAN INNINGS!

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LESSON 5 CHINA AND THE EIGHT NATION ALLIANCE

The Eight-Nation Alliance, also known as the Eight Power Expedition, was an alliance of Austria-Hungary, France,Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, whose military forces intervened in China during the Boxer Uprising and relieved the siege of diplomatic legations in Peking (Beijing) in the summer of 1900.


Can you identify the nations that former the alliance by their uniforms and flags?  Can you identify the "new kid on the block" who is playing an ever-increasing part in the power balance, especially in the East?

Steve

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LESSON 5 IMPERIAL EXPANSION INTO CHINA

Tomorrow's lesson moves its focus from Africa to China.  The political cartoon below speaks for itself - all doesn't bode well for China.

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LESSON 4 IMPERIALISM AND EXPANSION

Thanks for handing in your essays - I look forward to reading these this evening.  I thought the films of Mitchell and Kenyon were fascinating, especially Piccadilly in 1901.  I don't know whether you felt the same but did you find it really strange and fascinating how it seemed familiar and alien at the same time?  

Here's a link to more information about this remarkable duo:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_and_Kenyon




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BECOME A FOLLOWER

Please click on the follower gadget to become a follower to this blog.  It takes less a minute to sign up. 

 Many thanks,  Steve

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THE ROLE AND REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR

Interesting article from The Guardian.

Don't write first world war women out of history | Kate Adie http://gu.com/p/3jx86

LESSON 4: TWO POEMS WE WILL BE LOOKING AT

We will be looking at two poems tomorrow.  Vitai Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt reflects  the upper and middle classes' ethos of duty, honour  and glory for  Empire, while  Recessional by Rudyard Kipling, takes a more philosophical line, with an acceptance that the British Empire, like all the empires before it, will eventually decline and fade.




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LESSON 4 IMPERIALISM

TOMORROW WE CONTINUE LOOKING AT IMPERIALISM AND COLONIALISM AS A FACTOR IN ADDING TO THE TENSIONS BETWEEN THE GREAT POWERS.  

The Boer War 1899-1901 will feature with the startling fact that Great Britain was the first nation to introduce "concentration camps" as a new method of controlling the enemy.  It is estimated that as a result of starvation, illness and the cold, 28,000 Boer children, women and men died in British Camps.

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JUST FOR LAUREN

Hi Lauren,

Just testing this post is reaching you.  

This is for everybody: if you haven't done so already, please can you  please join the Access to History Circle?

Many thanks,

Steve


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BUXTON BOOK

Also bought this book - I spend a lot of time in Buxton and am going to be living there for quite a few days in the week very shortly  - so thought I'd do some background reading and then perhaps in thirty years' time I might be considered an apprentice Buxtonian by the residents!

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A LECTURER OF HISTORY'S JOB IS NEVER DONE

Even when out and about at weekend my mind never quite strays from my job (sorry passion!) - yes I know it's sad but picked this up from a bookstore just outside Buxton yesterday.  Been meaning to read this for a while - bedtime reading I guess or could take to the last remaining cricket games of the season.

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THE POSER PICTURE

The pretentious photo I posted caused a stir in social network land - Lydia was complimentary saying I look like a philosopher/novelist deep in thought and could have stepped out of a Dubliner's story by James Joyce.  Phil well and truly put me in my place: to quote,  "A really cool picture. A sort of cross between Bryan Ferry and one of the regulars from The Rovers' return."  Hope he doesn't mean Jack Duckworth!

Pretentious?  Moi?  You know that's not true.  Still, if Steve keeps calling it pretentious (note use of the third person when referring to myself - egotistical big style) why has he chosen the photo for his profile pic?  Err...



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THE CONSOLATIONS OF PHILOSOPHY

Poser picture of the week I fear but what better than to unwind and discuss history, politics  and philosophy and as importantly, the merits of the latest "guest" at the bar.  Have a good evening.

Steve

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GENTLEMAN'S CLUB

Off to my gentleman's club for a spot of late-luncheon and a browse of the Pall Mall Gazette.  Don't forget to check all the material I posted this morning between scouring  the AGA and stropping my razor.  Pip, Pip!

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ESSAY FOR MONDAY

Hope your essay is going well. If you have problems with accessing the Moodle site, I have placed all you need on the blog. Email me or contact me via Google+ if you have any queries. Don't forget the hard-copy of the article on Bismarck I handed you in class; this is also very useful. 

 Steve 


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WEBSITE- Look at the links under the heading: Controversy #1 - Germany and WW1

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GERMAN EXPANSION LEADING UP TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR

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BBC WEBSITE ARTICLE ON THE CAUSES OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

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WEBSITE ON THE CAUSES OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

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ORIGINS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ARTICLE 2

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ORIGINS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ARTICLE 1

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A USEFUL WEBSITE ARTICLE FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT ESSAY

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OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR ONE

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THE ORIGINA OD WORLD WAR ONE (PART 2)

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THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR ONE (PART 1)

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EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM IN AFRICA

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FAVOURITE PLACES

We all have a favourite spot or place we enjoy returning to.  Sometimes we keep them secret or share them with the people closest to us.  This is one of my favourite places.  Although I won't disclose where it is I will give you a clue - it is within twenty metres of an extremely famous historical structure.  Although I had not been there for five years, I recently revisited and spent a lovely weekend nearby where I could immerse myself in the history of the area.

EUROPEAN EXPANSION POWERPOINT

Lecture 1 european expansion and_disaster_1 (stephen-pc's conflicted copy 2013-09-10) from quintus

THE BISMARCK POWERPOINT - ACCESS THIS THROUGH SLIDESHARE

Lecture 2 bismarck from quintus

BISMARCK POWERPOINT

An updated version of the PowerPoint on Bismarck has been uploaded onto the college's Moodle site.


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ALLIANCE SYSTEM UP TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR

A really useful website outlining and explaining all the alliances in the lead-up to the First World War.

The site is called "The Corner" and here's the link:

http://www.funfront.net/hist/wwi/alliance.htm#dreikaiserbund


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CAFE HISTORY

Believe it or not, there used to be a Cafe History in Stockport which I would frequent during many a lunch-time.  Alas, all good things come to an end and Cafe History became history, closing down in 2011.  Much missed, I retained a memento: a loyalty card with two stamps.  Somehow I don't think I will ever get the chance to redeem any drinks, however, in a world where loyalty seems in such short supply, I loyally hold on to the memory of Cafe History...

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LESSON 3 EUGENICS AND SOCIAL DARWINISM

We made great in-roads into Assignment One and began looking at colonial expansion and the issue of Social Darwinism and eugenics.  The Merriam Webster dictionary provides a succinct definition:

: a science that tries to improve the human race by controlling which people become parents.

As we discussed, this was seen as part of a humane movement and in the 1920s and 30s was supported by many socialist intellectuals including H.G. Wells, Julian Huxley and Sydney Webb.  In the USA eugenics was promoted as evidenced in the photograph below.  Although elitist in its ethos,to eradicate genetic traits that caused deformity, illness and misery, it was under the Nazis that the concept was perverted to include not only sterilisation but the murder  of those seen as impure or physically or mentally infirm.  

This can be seen as one aspect of Social Darwinism and a belief in a superior race of people (the Aryan race) who were naturally destined to govern and control the weaker and "lesser" races, especially the Slavs in the East.  

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YOUR RESPONSES TO THE QUESTION ON THE RELEVANCE OF HISTORY

Just finished reading your essays and must say how impressed I was to see your obvious passion for the subject.  I also liked your use of quotations and the many philosophical points you made.  The future about the past is looking good!

Also enjoyed your time machine responses - diverse does not do it justice from the Wright brothers dreaming of the first powered flight to the Roaring Twenties.  Great stuff!

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DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW AND PROPAGANDA

An important aspect of history is from whose perspective or point of view is the event seen. A cliche is that history is written by the victors which is true to some extent but far from all.  Reference to different views of people and/or events in your essays will gain more marks and it is always interesting and important to take into account the views of the opposing forces in a conflict.  This also includes propaganda.

Below is a German illustrated war sheet of the First World War which naturally demonises Great Britain, France and Russia and lays the blame squarely on these powers for starting the war.

A translation of some of the text reads, "The three started arming secretly and at the same time put themselves about as friends of peace.  They thought to outwit the German thus insolently and looked disreputably for a cause for a fight."

Many thanks to Lynsey for bringing this to my attention.  Acknowledgements to JISC MediaHub and The Imperial War Museum.

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STEAMPUNK LOOK

A photograph taken in York, 2010 when I was less grey and far more green.  A woman asked me if I had arrived in a horseless carriage! The goggles were actually very clear to see through, polarised and made excellent shades. 

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FRANZ FERDINAND SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH FRANZ FERDINAND

I like a lot of their songs but this video is particulalry good as it's steam-punky, a style I do like.



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FRANZ JOSEPH SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH FRANZ FERDINAND

The unfortunate Archduke Franz Ferdinand, assassinated at Sarajevo in 1914, thus increasing the tension in an already fraught Europe.  Franz Ferdinand was heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and would have succeeded his uncle, the Emperor Franz Joseph.

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LESSONS 2 AND 3 - BIZARRE FRANZ JOSEPH STORY

A bizarre story from BBC news from April this year, involving the auction of a lock of Franz Joseph's hair for some serious euros, only goes to show the sense of nostalgia ever present in many people and the somewhat misguided notion that the past was always "the good old days".

Here's the link to the story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22303545


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LESSONS 2 AND 3 THE EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEPH

As discussed today, Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary is one of the longest reigning monarchs in European History.  His presence in European politics from 1871 up to his death in 1916 runs through our time-line like "Blackpool" through a stick of rock.

Some useful links for further information:  

First world war.com
http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/franzjosef.htm

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Joseph_I_of_Austria







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THE STRAIGHT RAZOR

I thought the use of the "Bismarck" straight razor raised a few incisive points - groan!  Sorry but couldn't resist the pun!  I liked all your sharp points - (OK no more I promise!)  particularly the following that Bismarck was:
Cut-throat and ruthless
Steely
Iron as in the Iron Chancellor
Tough
Iconic - razors and battleship named after him
Long lasting reputation and a legacy.

All that from a razor!

Here's a link to the homepage of Dovo of Solingen who make the Bismarck razor.

http://www.dovo.com/_english/interessantes.html


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LESSON 2

Below is a teaching aid I propose to use tomorrow, so please keep at arm's length throughout the lesson!

See you all tomorrow.

Steve

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THE EDWARDIAN ERA AND NOSTALGIA - LYDIA IN ROLE

Lydia didn't have a problem being noticed by the cameras. Quite the Edwardian lady! A big thank you for all your help and encouragement in persuading me to go - even though it took six months!  

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THE EDWARDIAN ERA

Sometimes nostalgically referred to as a leisurely "long afternoon" interlude before the First World War, the Edwardian era was far from idyllic, peaceful or halcyonic.  Despite this, there is a nostalgia for this period typified by publications (or should it be periodicals!) like The Chap and events such as the Chap Olympiad.  

This summer I also bought into the Edwardian experience by visiting the Chap Olympiad in London.

Below:

At the Chap Olympiad, July this year with my best mate (or is that Lady Chum/Chapette) Lydia. We arrived late afternoon and not really knowing the etiquette, thought we should be authentic as possible and not take our mobiles, only to  discover to our horror that we didn't have a camera to record the tom-foolery that ensued. Luckily, others had been more forward-thinking.  We trawled stock-footage of the event and you may be able to spot us - very "Where's Wally?" like in the frame. Great day, even though full of trepidation given the strength of the field. Am I a chap? Only a cad would ask such a question!

For further details of what the day entails - an eccentrics' magnet without doubt; visit The Guardian online and view the photographs there.

http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2013/jul/15/chap-olympiad-2013-in-pictures

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HISTORY ALL AROUND US

Remember our discussion we had on the different views of history and one being: "I thought about how wonderfully strange it would be to live in a place where almost everything had been built by the dead."

Linked to this idea is that history is all around us.  A walk around where we live often reminds us of this.  For example, where I live sharing the wall of a churchyard is a Victorian postbox.  These are becoming rarer to find.  The V R stands for Victoria Regina - Queen Victoria.

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NEW POLL

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THE POLL ON THE RIGHT.  THIS LINKS TO LESSONS 1 AND 2.  ANY VISITORS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN IN TOO!

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CHANGING HISTORY

"The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there." L.P. Hartley's oft-quoted sentence raises the question...  if you could change the past, what would it be?  Let's not think the large canvas and sweep of history but something personal to your own history.

LESSONS 2 AND 3 BISMARCK THE JUNKER

In our last lesson I mentioned that Bismarck belonged to the Junker class of Prussians.  The History Dictionary defines Junkers below:

A term derived from Jungherr, referring to officer-cadet sons of Prussian nobles, later applied to members of the landed gentry in Prussia - the traditional officer class in the Prussian and German armies.

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LESSONS 2, 3 AND 4 THE GREAT POWERS, ALLIANCE SYSTEM AND THE JULY CRISIS AND MILITARISM

A widely held view in explaining the build-up and subsequent outbreak of war in 1914 is the militarisation of Europe and/or military mind-set of the Great Powers.  However, it is always useful to consider an alternative view which questions this sense of inevitability. Always considering alternative views is essential when writing your essays.

An alternative view could be articulated this way:  if the international system was so militarised, why did a general European war not break out much earlier? After all, the 44 years of great power peace between 1871 and 1914 was the longest period of great power peace in Europe until the end of the Cold War. 

Why were so many crises, resolved without recourse to war?  Why was peace maintained for over four decades? 

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THE FIRST WORLD WAR

A map showing all the participants of the First World War.

Acknowledgement History Today.

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EUROPEAN EXPANSION AND DISASTER - PRUSSIA

Always liked Mirabeau's comment that Prussia was 'not so much a state with an army as an army with a state'. 

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LESSONS 2 AND 3 BISMARCK

A great quote from Bismarck's contemporary which highlight's his ruthlessness and his qualities as the consummate manipulator in pursuing his goals.

Lieutenant General Albrecht von Roon (1803-79) 




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LESSONS 2 AND 3 BISMARCK

Coming up this week, the colossus on the stage of European politics, Otto von Bismarck.  My lesson will comprise of handouts, a PowerPoint and a cut throat razor but more of that next week!

In the meantime, look at the political cartoon from L'Eclipse 1870.   What does it suggest about Bismarck and his relationship with his Prussian King Wilhem I?  

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