State University of New York at Albany College of Arts and Sciences Department of History HIS 455 & 555 (9132 & 9135) Fall 2011 Diplomacy of Global Conflict, 1890 1945 TTh 2:45 4:05 Prof. H. Peter Krosby HU 123 S Y L L A B U S The chief aim of this course is to make you reasonably familiar with great power relations from the demise of the Bismarckian alliance system in 1890 to the defeat of the Axis powers in 1945. The main theme is the causes and issues of the 20 th century s two world wars, which will be examined through the prisms of the international crises preceding them and the worldwide problems unresolved or even created by the peace treaties following World War I. The course is open to juniors and seniors (HIS 455) and to graduate students (HIS 555). Readings HIS 455 & 555 HHH Holger H. Herwig (ed.), The Outbreak of World War I: Causes and Responsibilities, 6 th ed. (Lexington. MA: D.C. Heath, 1997). DOCS Documentary sources available on the Internet. SM RO PCH Sally Marks, The Ebbing of European Ascendancy: An International History of the World, 1914 1945 (London: Arnold; New York: Oxford University Press, 2002). Richard Overy, with Andrew Wheatcroft, The Road to War, 2 nd ed. (London & New York: Penguin Books, 1999). Thomas G. Paterson, J. Garry Clifford, Shane J. Maddock, Deborah Kisatsky, Kenneth H. Hagan, American Foreign Relations, vol. 2, A History Since 1895, 6 th ed. (Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2005), pp. 1 220. NR Norman Rich, Great Power Diplomacy, 1814 1914 (Boston: McGraw Hill, 1992), pp. 218 465. HIS 555 AI Akira Iriye, The Origins of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific (London & New York: Longman, 1987).
Tests Ignore the official final exam schedule! In this course there are four 30 minute in class essay tests, each worth 20% of the final grade. The grading considers factual knowledge, comprehension of issues, and effective writing. A list of questions will be distributed in advance of each test, three of them will appear on the test, and you answer one. A makeup test is given if you miss a scheduled one for reasons beyond your control, but you must take it before the next scheduled test or lose it. You may not skip one of the first three tests, but you may submit a blank bluebook on the last if you have nothing to gain by taking it. If you take all four tests, the lowest grade will be dropped unless you duplicate it. The total value of the tests is 80% whether you take three or four. A grade of Incomplete may be recorded if you have completed no less than three of the five assignments. University regulations prohibit extra work for improved grades. Students with learning or performance disabilities should register at CC 137, pronto! Research Paper A research paper is required. Worth 20% of your final grade, its optimum length exclusive of notes and bibliography is 3,500 words for HIS 455 and 5,000 words for HIS 555. Papers must be typed, double spaced, and carefully proof read. The Happy Footnoter, a rather personalized style manual, will be distributed as a model for you to emulate. Report your tentative choice of topic by Sept. 15, and submit a preliminary bibliography by Sept. 27. Your paper is due on Nov. 17, but may be submitted any time before that. The bibliographies in your textbooks are good starting points for finding literature on your topics. I d be glad to discuss your research and ideas with you as your work progresses. General Rules ATTENDANCE is expected, and a roster is circulated for your signature most of the time. Excessive absenteeism (over 20%) will affect your final grade. Please arrive on time and stay until the end. CHEATING means instant failure in this course and must be reported to the appropriate administrative office, which may lead to suspension for undergraduates and probable expulsion for graduate students. Note this History department warning: Plagiarism is taking (which includes purchasing) the word and ideas of another and passing them off as one s own work. If in a formal paper a student quotes someone, that student must use quotation marks and give citation. Paraphrased or borrowed ideas are to be identified by proper citations. Plagiarism will result, at the minimum, in the student failing the assignment.
Schedule of Topics Aug 30: Bismarck s Europe, 1871 90: Stability through Balance. READ: NR pp. 218 50; DOCS: The Dual Alliance between Austria Hungary and Germany (World War I Document Archive), The Three Emperors League (Avalon Project), The Reinsurance Treaty (World War I Document Archive). Sept 1: The Breakdown of Bismarck s Alliance System. READ: NR pp. 251 62. 6: The Legacy of Imperialism. READ: NR pp. 263 68; SM pp. 2 16. 8: The Scramble for Africa. READ: NR pp. 269 99. 13: Focus on China: Annexationist Scramble or Open Door? READ: NR pp. 300 28. 15: Weltpolitik, Splendid Isolation, Triple Entente, 1894 1907. READ: NR pp. 329 46, 364 407. NOTE: Deadline for choosing term paper topics. 20: Uncle Sam Flexes His Muscles, 1895 1914. READ: PCH pp. 1 66; NR pp. 347 63. TEST #1: Assigned readings and class coverage, Aug. 30 Sept. 20. 22: The Bosnian Annexation Crisis, 1908 09. READ: NR pp. 408 18. 27: The Second Moroccan Crisis and the Tripoli War, 1911 12. READ: NR pp. 418 22. NOTE: Preliminary bibliography due. NOTE: Classes suspended 9/28 at 2:35 p.m.; resume 10/3. Oct 4: The Balkan Wars and Their Aftermath, 1912 14. READ: NR pp. 423 37. 6: The July Crisis of 1914. READ: NR pp. 437 61; SM pp. 19 30; HHH pp. 15 117. 11: The Question of War Guilt. READ: NR pp. 461 65; SM pp. 31 36; HHH pp. 1 13, 119 159. 13: Wartime Diplomacy, 1914 18. READ: SM pp. 38 61; PCH pp. 67 87.
TEST #2: Assigned readings and class coverage, Sept. 22 Oct. 13. 18: Twenty Year Armistice: The Settlement of 1919. READ: SM pp. 81 119; PCH pp. 87 96; DOCS: The Versailles Treaty (Avalon Project), articles 42 45, 49, 51, 81, 87, 102, 119, 141 42, 159 60, 164, 173, 180 91, 198, 231. NOTE: Advance Registration for Winter and Spring begins 10/19. 20: Immediate Aftermath: Settling Outstanding Issues. READ: PCH pp. 99 105; World War I Casualties [Wikipedia]. 25: Imperial Slippage: Problems in Africa and the Middle East. READ: SM pp. 123 200. 27: Imperial Slippage: Problems in Latin America. READ: SM pp. 225 52; PCH pp. 151 71. Nov 1: Europe in the 1920s: Recovery, Diplomacy, Depression. READ: SM pp. 272 98, 303 16; DOCS: Protocol for the Pacific Settlement of Disputes (Geneva Protocol), Locarno Pact (Avalon Project), Kellogg Briand Pact (Avalon Project). 3: Embittered Powers: Germany, Italy and Japan, 1919 39. READ: RO pp. 25 72, 164 209, 258 97; SM pp. 202 23; DOCS: Anti Comintern Pact (Avalon Project), The Pact of Steel (May 22, 1939). 8: Exhausted Powers: Britain and France, 1919 39. READ: RO pp. 73 163. TEST #3: Assigned readings and class coverage, Oct. 18 Nov. 8. 10: Reviving Power: Soviet Russia, 1917 39. READ: RO pp. 210 57; SM pp. 62 77 & passim; PCH pp. 96 99. 15: Reluctant Power: The United States, 1919 39. READ: RO pp. 298 343; PCH pp. 106 38; SM pp. 254 70; DOCS: Neutrality Acts of 1930 s [Wikipedia]. 17: The Betrayal of Collective Security, 1931 37. READ: SM pp. 317 40; PCH pp. 139 51; AI pp. 1 39; DOCS: The Versailles Treaty (Avalon Project), articles 1 26; WW 2 Ships: The 1935 Anglo German Naval Agreement. NOTE: Research papers due. 22: The Road to War in Europe, 1937 41. READ: SM pp. 349 67; RO pp. 1 24, 344 66; PCH pp. 172 81; DOCS: The Hossbach Memorandum, The Munich Agreement, The Nazi Soviet Pact.
29: The Road to War in Asia and the Pacific, 1931 41. READ: SM pp. 345 49, 363 64, 367 72; PCH pp. 181 86; AI pp. 41 185. Dec 1: Triumph and Tragedy: The Trichotomous Grand Alliance. READ: SM pp. 374 404; PCH pp. 186 98; DOCS: List of World War II Conferences [Wikipedia], Atlantic Charter, Agreement between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, July 12, 1941 (Avalon Project), Twenty Year Mutual Assistance Agreement Between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, May 26, 1942 (Avalon Project), Molotov s Report on Ratification of the Anglo Soviet Treaty (June 19, 1942). 6: From Teheran to Potsdam, 1943 45. READ: SM pp. 387 88, 395 96, 398 99, 407 24; PCH pp. 198 220; DOCS: Percentages Agreement [Wikipedia], Yalta (Crimea) Conference, Potsdam Declaration (Potsdam Protocol, Potsdam Agreement). TEST #4: Assigned readings and class coverage, Nov.10 Dec. 6. Krosby s office: SS 145G Office hours: Tu& Th 9:00 11:30 & 1:30 2:15 E mail address: krosby@albany.edu