The First World War

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The First World War is often referred to as the "seminal catastrophe of the twentieth century." It certainly brought the golden age of Europe's prosperity to an end. And its lingering effects would help bring about the rise of Bolshevik Communism in Russia, Fascism in Italy and other parts of Europe, and, of course, the rise of National Socialism in Germany. But what actually happened in the war? The course will include lectures with moments for discussion. Together, we will cover the usual suspects of diplomatic and military history of the war. We will learn about new technologies of war, new strategies and tactics on the battlefield, and the futility of attacking entrenched positions. But this war was "The Great War" because it entailed so much more than the front lines. We'll take a deep dive into memoirs and primary sources, emerging new interpretations of home and war fronts, and revisions to our understanding of both when the war ended and began. We will go beyond the western front and trench warfare to look at the important battles in the East and South. And, importantly, we will also take time to look closely at the larger social and cultural aspects that this era of total war introduced, including the emancipation of women, the growth of the state and the use and misuse of emergency powers, and the ways in which everyday people (at home and on the front) coped and endured with the hardships of war, hunger, and death. Time will also be devoted to the peace treaties after the war nominally ended and the continuum of violence that lingered into the interwar period. Music will be played and students may be encouraged to sign along.