Causes, Practices and Effects of Wars

This class is designed to support students taking high-level exams such as I.B./A.P./GCSE/A-Level, however due to its important and interesting content it is open to all. Students may "drop in" according to the schedule below if they wish. 

"I see it only as a century of massacres and wars."
René Dumont.

"...without doubt the most murderous century of which we have record by the scale, frequency and
length of the warfare which filled it."
From Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century 1914–1991 (Michael Joseph, 1994), p.13.

At the end of the 19th century, many people were convinced that war could no longer be used as a ‘tool of diplomacy’, yet war would become the dominant theme of the 20th century. There were two ‘world’ wars, each of which killed millions of people; World War Two (1939–1945) alone cost the lives of more than 50 million people. However, terrible as these wars were in terms of death toll, they were only two of many other conflicts that took place during the 20th century. In between the world wars and after 1945, there were numerous wars both between nations and within nations, in which casualties were often high.

Cross-regional case studies

World War One and World War Two are considered to be ‘cross-regional’ wars, and can be used as cross-regional case studies (for example, World War One in Europe compared with World War Two in Asia). However, you cannot use the same war to give cross-regional examples in a response, such as World War Two in Europe with World War Two in Asia. I have identified the specific region for each of the other case studies to encourage the study of cross-regional examples. The examination may require students to consider examples from two different regions. Different types of warfare The different types of war – interstate, civil, guerrilla, total mobilization of human and economic resources, and limited mobilization of resources – are explained in Chapter 1 and then discussed further in each relevant case study. This book has two examples of each of the diff erent types of war from different regions to give you enough material for essay questions.

Causes of war
The origins and causes of each war in the class are divided into long-term and short-term causes. In addition, the economic, ideological, political, territorial, and other causes are discussed where relevant. 
Practices of war and their impact on the outcome For each war, the characteristics of the fighting are discussed. Depending on the war, this discussion could include an analysis of the tactics and weaponry used in the fighting on land, on sea, and/or in the air. Where relevant, there will also be discussion of the impact of technological developments on the course and the outcome of the war. The economic and social impact of wars is also considered. Where appropriate, the influence and/or involvement of foreign powers is covered as well.
The effects of war
The results of the wars are analyzed at the end of each chapter. There is an examination of the successes and failures of peacemaking and a consideration of wars where there is no concluding peace agreement or treaty. Territorial, political, economic, and social impacts are discussed and, where appropriate, changes in the role and status of women.


Week of 13 November Introduction to Causes, practices and effects of wars

Month of NOVEMBER

First World War 1914–18 
1 The long-term causes of the First World War 
2 The short-term causes of the First World War 
3 Key debate: To what extent should Germany be blamed for causing the First World War? 
4 The course of the First World War 
5 Managing the war 
6 The effects of the First World War
Examination practice and activities 

MONTH of DECEMBER

Spanish Civil War 1936–9 
1 The long-term causes of the Spanish Civil War 
2 The short-term causes of the Spanish Civil War 
3 Key debate: Why did civil war break out? 
4 The course of the Spanish Civil War 1936–9 
5 The effects of the Spanish Civil War 
Examination practice and activities 

MONTH OF JANUARY and FEBRUARY

Second World War in Europe and North Africa 1939–45
1 Long-term causes of the Second World War in Europe and north Africa 
2 Short-term causes of the Second World War in Europe and north Africa 
3 Key debate: Is it possible to assign blame for the outbreak of the war in Europe? 
4 The course of the war in Europe 1939 to June 1941 
5 The course of the war in Africa and Italy 1940–5 
6 The course of the war at sea 1939–45 
7 The course of the air war 1939–45 
8 The course of the land war in Europe, June 1941 to May 1945 
9 Outcomes and conclusions: reasons for German defeat 
10 The home front and occupied Europe 
11 Resistance movements 
12 The effects of the Second World War in Europe and north Africa 

MONTH OF MARCH

Second World War in Asia and the Pacific 1941–5 
1 Causes of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific 
2 Course of the war in the Pacific 1941–5
3 The home front 
4 Resistance movements 
5 The effects of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific 
6 Key debate: What factors led to Japan’s defeat? 
Examination practice and activities 

MONTH OF APRIL

Chinese Civil War 1927–37 and 1945–9
1 The long-term causes of the Chinese Civil War 
2 The short-term causes of the Chinese Civil War 
3 The course of the Chinese Civil War 
4 The effects of the Chinese Civil War 

MONTH OF MAY

Nicaraguan Revolution 1976–9 
1 The causes of the Nicaraguan Revolution 
2 The course of the Nicaraguan Revolution 
3 The effects of the Nicaraguan Revolution 

Making thematic connections between twentieth-century wars
1 Comparing and contrasting the causes of the First and Second World Wars 
2 Comparing and contrasting the practices of different wars 
3 Comparing and contrasting the effects of different wars