This is a module that introduces you to the military – or, more accurately, ‘new military history’ – of the Great War. In short, it will allow you to explore the military events, but encourages you to think of them as social and cultural experiences, too. The first half of the module is designed to give you an overview of the military conduct of the First World War before, in the second term, we consider how soldiers were able to endure the conflict.* Whilst the course provides you with a framework, it will also give you the opportunity to choose to pursue themes, topics, or sources that are of the greatest interest to you. Indeed, there is space to focus on armies, campaigns, or even battles in Autumn Term. Next, in Winter Term, you might choose to focus on a particular feature of endurance and morale, the history of a unit or institutional initiative, or of a place of special interest.

Please note that origins and outcomes of the war are covered in HY400 and will not be considered in detail on this programme.