This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Max-Stephan Schulze SAR 614
Availability
This course is available on the MRes/PhD in Quantitative Economic History, MSc in Economic History, MSc in Economic History (Research) and MSc in Global Economic History (Erasmus Mundus). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Pre-requisites
Students enrolled on this course are expected to have completed the equivalent of undergraduate survey courses on European history. Knowledge of introductory undergraduate level economics is a distinct advantage.
Course content
This course explores the economic history of war(s) from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century within a comparative framework. Key themes examined include: long-term preparation for war - from bullionism to autarchy; state formation and deformation; organising warfare - from Renaissance condottiere to security firms; resource mobilisation - finance, material inputs, human capital; resource allocation - production and consumption; human and economic consequences of war; post-war reconstructions. The historical cases studied include the Hundred Years War, the Thirty Years War, the European wars of the 18th century, the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, the First and Second World Wars.
Teaching
20 hours of seminars in the MT. 20 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.
There are no lectures on this course. Teaching will consist of 20 seminars of two-hours each in MT and LT; one revision session in LT. There will be pre-circulated papers for the seminars.
Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6 of both MT and LT, in line with departmental policy.
Formative coursework
Three 2,000 word essays and one class presentation
Indicative reading
R. Bartlett, The Making of Europe. Conquest, Colonization and Cultural Change, 950-1350 (1993).
S. Broadberry, & M. Harrison, (eds) The Economics of World War I (2005).
J. Brewer, The sinews of Power: War, Money and the English State, 1688-1789 (1989).
R. Chickering & S. Foerster (eds), Great War, Total War (2000).
S. Foerster & J. Nagler (eds), On the Road to Total War: The American Civil War and the German ars of Unification (1997).
D. Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies (1997).
J.R. Hale, War and Society in Renaissance Europe, 1450-1620 (1998).
G. Hardach, The First World War, 1914-18 (1977).
M. Harrison (ed) The Economics of World War II (2000).
A.S. Milward, War, Economy and Society 1939-45 (1987).
A. Offer, The First World War. An Agrarian interpretation (1989).
K. O'Rourke, 'The worldwide economic impact of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, 1793-1815', Journal of Global History (2006) 1, pp123-149.
R. Overy, Why the Allies Won (2006).
G.Parker, The Military Revolution: Military Innovation and the Rise of the West, 1500-1800 (1996).
D. Stevenson, With Our Backs to the Wall: Victory and Defeat in 1918 (2011).
D. Stevenson, Armaments and the Coming of War: Europe, 1904-1914 (1996).
H. Strachan, Financing the First World War (2004).
A. Tooze, Wages of Destruction (2006).
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the summer exam period.
Key facts
Department: Economic History
Total students 2019/20: Unavailable
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Controlled access 2019/20: No
Value: One Unit
Personal development skills
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.