The First World War was thought of at the time as the “war to end all wars”, but was soon reviled as a senseless slaughter that solved nothing and created problems that plagued the rest of the twentieth century. Understanding the causes, conduct and outcomes of World War I is essential to understanding the rise of modern nationalism, the Russian revolution and Bolshevism, the great depression of the 1930s, and the outbreak of World War II.

This course focuses on the First World War and its immediate aftermath, and will use a number of perspectives, including diplomatic, military, social and intellectual history. The course will also take an international and comparative approach to the war in order to acquaint students with the similarities and differences between the Australian, British, French, German, Russian and United States’ first experiences of modern total war. The course will end with an examination of the Treaty of Versailles and its legacies for the modern age.

One research essay (50%), one examination (40%) and tutorial performance (10%).

13 x 90 min lectures, weekly tutorials. Lectures will be streamed.

First-year courses in History or Political Science to the value of 12 units, or with permission of the Convenor.

Keegan, John, The First World War, Vintage Books, 1998.

Strachan, Hew, The Oxford Illustrated History of the First World War, Oxford University Press, 1998.

This course may be counted towards a History, Contemporary Europe or International Relations major, and is a designated course for the BA (European Studies).