Category Archives: War, Culture, and Society

NIU Professors Comment on Libyan Civil War

Posted on September 7, 2011 by briansandberg

The Northern Illinois University community is following developments in the Libyan Civil War and the revolutionary conflicts in the Arab World. NIU student journalist Eric Nofsinger recently asked several professors, including me, to comment on the Libyan Civil War for … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Comparative Revolutions, Current Research, History of Violence, Northern Illinois University, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Climate Change and Civil Conflict

Posted on August 26, 2011 by briansandberg

For decades, historians have examined evidence of correlations between climate change and civil conflict. Bad weather and sustained droughts have often been seen as causes of  peasant revolts and revolutions, such as the French Revolution of 1789, yet these arguments … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Environmental History, French Revolution and Napoleon, History of Violence, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World | 1 Comment

Devotion, Discipline, Reform: Conference at the Newberry Library

Posted on August 6, 2011 by briansandberg

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

Posted on August 6, 2011 by briansandberg

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

Posted on August 3, 2011 by briansandberg

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

Posted on July 24, 2011 by briansandberg

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 →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

54th Massachusetts Reenactors

Posted on July 24, 2011 by briansandberg

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 →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Libyan Women Prepare for Combat

Posted on July 1, 2011 by briansandberg

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

Posted on June 29, 2011 by briansandberg

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

Posted on June 8, 2011 by briansandberg

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 →

Posted in Conferences, Early Modern Europe, History of Violence, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment