Category Archives: War, Culture, and Society

Devotion, Discipline, Reform: Conference at the Newberry Library

September 15 – 17, 2011 Devotion, Discipline, Reform: Sources for the Study of Religion, 1450-1640 A Conference in Honor of Sister Ann Ida Gannon, BVM The Newberry Library, Chicago http://www.newberry.org/renaissance/conf-inst/devotion.html Printable flier: http://www.newberry.org/renaissance/conf-inst/DevotionConference.pdf Speakers include: Gregory R. Crane, Classics and … Continue reading

Posted in Conferences, Early Modern Europe, Religious Violence, Warfare in the Early Modern World | Leave a comment

The Occitan War

Southern France has certainly seen its share of religious conflict and civil warfare.  My own research explores violence in the French Wars of Religion of 1562-1629, especially focusing on the latter stages of those conflicts. Larry Marvin, one of my … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Conflict, Early Modern Europe, French History, Languedoc and Southern France, Religious Violence, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World | Leave a comment

Why Leaders Lie

John Mearsheimer, professor of political science at the University of Chicago, has published a new book on Why Leaders Lie: The Truth About Lying in International Politics. Worldview  interviewed Mearsheimer about the book yesterday on WBEZ. Students in HIST 390 … Continue reading

Posted in Historical Film, Political Culture, War in Film | Leave a comment

150th Anniversary of First Bull Run

The 150th anniversary of the American Civil War has begun, ensuring that every day over the next four years, there will be commemorations of each battle, skirmish, and political event of the war. Over 8,000 historical reenactors ventured out into … Continue reading

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54th Massachusetts Reenactors

As the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War unfolds, historical reenactors are enthusiastically commemorating most of the major events of the war. African-Americans are apparently getting involved in Civil War historical reenactment in increasing numbers. One new group has … Continue reading

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Libyan Women Prepare for Combat

Women have long participated in warfare, despite assumptions that war has been a predominantly masculine activity. Some Libyan women are now preparing for combat to support Qaddafi’s regime. Civil conflicts, such as the Libyan war, often present possibilities for women … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Conflict, Gender and Warfare, War, Culture, and Society, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

France Arms Rebels in Libya

The French government now admits that it is arming rebels in Libya in an overt attempt to oust Muammar el-Qaddafi. Col. Thierry Burkhard, a French military spokesperson, said that French forces “airdropped water, food and medical supplies” to Misurata and … Continue reading

Posted in Arms Control, French History, Mediterranean World, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Society for Military History Conference

The Society for Military History Conference is coming to the Chicago area this weekend.  This conference is the annual meeting of the largest academic and professional society for military history in the United States.  This year, the conference theme is … Continue reading

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Al Qaeda’s Paper Trail

Al Qaeda apparently used business-like accounting practices, leaving a significant paper trail of receipts and account books. A story on NPR reports on emerging details of the Al Qaeda organization, resulting from computers and documents seized during the recent raid … Continue reading

Posted in History of Violence, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

The Killing Seas: Mediterranean Migration

Anthropologist Hans Lucht discusses the precarious lives of modern-day Mediterranean migrants from Africa who embark in North Africa for Italy in an op-ed in the New York Times. Lucht points out that southern European nations have long worked with Qaddafi’s … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Conflict, French History, Human Rights, Italian History, Mediterranean World, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment