Military History

What patterns do historians see in the causes of major wars—such as competition for resources, ideology, or miscalculation? How do long-term tensions and immediate triggers combine to push societies into armed conflict? What roles do nationalism, racism, or dehumanizing propaganda play in making war seem acceptable or necessary? How can studying failed peace efforts be as important as studying battles themselves? Can you think of a conflict where later research has changed our understanding of who was responsible and why?

How have innovations like gunpowder, railroads, tanks, or drones reshaped the nature of warfare? What is the relationship between high-level strategy and the tactics used on the ground by ordinary soldiers? How do geography and climate shape the possibilities and limits of military campaigns? Why do some military leaders become celebrated as geniuses while others are blamed for disaster? Can you think of a war where technology promised quick victory but led to unexpected stalemate or destruction?

How have the experiences of soldiers varied across time, from ancient armies to modern conscripts and volunteers? What can letters, diaries, and oral histories tell us about fear, loyalty, and trauma in wartime? How do wars reshape civilian life through displacement, famine, occupation, or resistance? In what ways have gender roles shifted during wartime, both at the front and at home? Can you think of a conflict where the majority of casualties were civilians rather than combatants?

How do occupiers attempt to control populations, and what strategies do people use to resist them? Why might some individuals or groups choose to collaborate with an occupying power, and how are they judged afterward? What forms can resistance take besides armed struggle, such as cultural, economic, or symbolic actions? How do historians handle the moral complexity of choices people make under occupation? Can you think of a historical occupation where the lines between resistance and collaboration were especially blurred?

How do societies decide which wars and which victims to memorialize, and which to overlook? What roles do monuments, ceremonies, and holidays play in shaping how future generations view past wars? How can the language used to describe wars—liberation, intervention, conquest—affect public understanding? What tensions exist between honoring veterans and critically examining the wars they fought in? Can you recall a memorial, film, or story about war that influenced your views on conflict and sacrifice?

How have ideas about 'just war' and rules of combat developed over time? What impact have treaties and conventions had on the use of weapons, treatment of prisoners, or protection of civilians? Why do some atrocities become widely acknowledged and prosecuted while others remain denied or forgotten? How do historians contribute to war crimes investigations and debates about accountability? Can you think of a case where historical research helped bring justice or recognition to victims of war crimes?