History of International Relations
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
This class intends to analyze the organization and development of international relations during the whole 20th century. Special attention will be given to the system of political and military alliances but also to the economic mechanisms and the pressure of public opinion and the evolution of related mentalities. The main focus will be on the several attempts to create a "world order", during and after WWII, with particular attention to the Cold War era intended as a pericentric confrontation not limited to Europe only. This course intends to offer an up to date lecture to understand the contemporary world in its dialectic struggle between globalization and attempts to drive this process.
Expected learning outcomes
This course's methodological approach will privilege a critical examination of the most qualified trends in historiography, a rigorous analysis of the available primary sources (e.g. treaties, negotiations, diplomatic papers and s.o.). The course will enable students to apply their knowledge to the analysis of the complex framework of International Relations of the past and present times.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
1. The Versailles conference and the emergence of an untold Cold War between two worlds: capitalism vs. socialism;
2. The problem of Japan and the roots future conflicts in Asia;
3. Africa and Asia and the consequences of WWI; was colonial imperialism still able to steer three different worlds?
4. Totalitarian regimes in Europe and political isolation in America; Fascism in te Balkans and Africa; the "Drang nach Osten" in Hitler's revisionism and action.
5. South America during the 30s: the other world;
6. Germany and Italy: a comparison in methods and aims;
7. The road to Munich and the emergence of WWII;
8. Roosevelt and his Gran Design compared with Great Britain's aims; the racial and colonial problems
9. The origins of the Cold War (1945 - 1949) in a comparative and integrated perspective: policentrism and new non-european actors;
10. Germany and a constructed peace;
11. Japan, East Asia and China: between guilty, revisionism and reconstruction;
12. Truman, Stalin and their many enemies;
13. The beginning of the European economic integration process;
14. The Decolonization process exposed: Asia, Africa, new interests, old actors;
15. South America and its particularity;
16. The 1970s in perspective: a decade of change.
17. The end of the Cold War: issues, interpretations, periodization.
18. The End of History and the Beginning of a new Reality.
2. The problem of Japan and the roots future conflicts in Asia;
3. Africa and Asia and the consequences of WWI; was colonial imperialism still able to steer three different worlds?
4. Totalitarian regimes in Europe and political isolation in America; Fascism in te Balkans and Africa; the "Drang nach Osten" in Hitler's revisionism and action.
5. South America during the 30s: the other world;
6. Germany and Italy: a comparison in methods and aims;
7. The road to Munich and the emergence of WWII;
8. Roosevelt and his Gran Design compared with Great Britain's aims; the racial and colonial problems
9. The origins of the Cold War (1945 - 1949) in a comparative and integrated perspective: policentrism and new non-european actors;
10. Germany and a constructed peace;
11. Japan, East Asia and China: between guilty, revisionism and reconstruction;
12. Truman, Stalin and their many enemies;
13. The beginning of the European economic integration process;
14. The Decolonization process exposed: Asia, Africa, new interests, old actors;
15. South America and its particularity;
16. The 1970s in perspective: a decade of change.
17. The end of the Cold War: issues, interpretations, periodization.
18. The End of History and the Beginning of a new Reality.
Prerequisites for admission
Contemporary History
Teaching methods
The duration of the course is 60 hours. The course will mainly consist of lectures (2 hours each). There will be additional seminar events with invited experts/scholars. Lectures will include class discussions following presentations and viewing of multimedia material. Class participation is encouraged.
Teaching Resources
Course textbook:
Best A., Hanhimaki J.M., Maiolo J.A., Schulze K.E., International History of the Twentieth Century and Beyond, London, Taylor and Francis, 2014 (3rd Edition).
Recommended readings:
Alan Sharp, Versailles 1919. A Centennial Perspective, Haus Pub, London, 2018
Selected chapters from M.P. Leffler and O. A. Westad, eds., The Cambridge History of the Cold War, Volumes I, II, and III, CUP, Cambridge, 2010:
- O. A. Westad, The Cold War and the international history of the twentieth century, Vol. I. pp. 1-19.
- W.I. Hitchcock, The Marshal Plan and the creation of the West, Vol. I, pp. 154 -174
- M. P. Bradley, Decolonization, the global South, and the Cold War, 1919-1962, Vol. I, pp. 464-485;
- P. Ludlow, European integration and the Cold War, Volume II, pp. 179-187;
- G. Arrighi, The world economy and the Cold War, 1970-1990, Vol. III, pp. 23-44
- A. Brown, The Gorbacev revolution and the end of the Cold War, Vol. III, pp. 244 -266
- D. Reynolds, Science, technology and the Cold War, Vol. III pp.378 -399.
Documents and Digital Archives:
Hanhimäki, J. & Westad, O. A., The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004 (selected documents)
http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/theme/cold-war-history
https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/digital-national-security-archive
Best A., Hanhimaki J.M., Maiolo J.A., Schulze K.E., International History of the Twentieth Century and Beyond, London, Taylor and Francis, 2014 (3rd Edition).
Recommended readings:
Alan Sharp, Versailles 1919. A Centennial Perspective, Haus Pub, London, 2018
Selected chapters from M.P. Leffler and O. A. Westad, eds., The Cambridge History of the Cold War, Volumes I, II, and III, CUP, Cambridge, 2010:
- O. A. Westad, The Cold War and the international history of the twentieth century, Vol. I. pp. 1-19.
- W.I. Hitchcock, The Marshal Plan and the creation of the West, Vol. I, pp. 154 -174
- M. P. Bradley, Decolonization, the global South, and the Cold War, 1919-1962, Vol. I, pp. 464-485;
- P. Ludlow, European integration and the Cold War, Volume II, pp. 179-187;
- G. Arrighi, The world economy and the Cold War, 1970-1990, Vol. III, pp. 23-44
- A. Brown, The Gorbacev revolution and the end of the Cold War, Vol. III, pp. 244 -266
- D. Reynolds, Science, technology and the Cold War, Vol. III pp.378 -399.
Documents and Digital Archives:
Hanhimäki, J. & Westad, O. A., The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004 (selected documents)
http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/theme/cold-war-history
https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/digital-national-security-archive
Assessment methods and Criteria
Final assessment will consist of an oral exam regarding the most relevant episodes and turning points in International History during the 20th Century, focusing on topics covered in the textbook, readings, lectures and seminars. Students are also expected to be able to exercise critical thinking in relation to the main challenges posed by the international history of the 20th Century.
SPS/06 - HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours