History 597

Critical Issues of the Twentieth Century World

Monday-Wednesday, 2:30-3:18, Thursday, 2:30-4:18 Stillman Hall 100

The Ohio State University

Winter Quarter 2004

Professor Jennifer Siegel

220 Dulles Hall

2-0314

siegel.83@osu.edu

http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/siegel83/

Office Hours: Thursdays, 12:30-2:00 p.m., or by appointment

Course Description and Objectives:

This course looks from a global perspective at a number of major issues that have made the world we live in today. The course examines these issues within an historical context that begins in 1914 and runs to the late twentieth century. The lectures will cover a number of themes, including: (1) imperialism, anti-imperialism, decolonization and the post-colonial world; (2) the successes and failures of international communism; (3) the process and effects of economic globalization throughout the century; (4) the nuclear age; (5) the shift from a multipolar international system, to a bipolar system, to the post-Cold War unipolar system.

The first half of the course will take us from the outbreak of the First World War to the end of the Second World War. Starting from the collapse of the nineteenth century international system in 1914, we will examine the reasons why the system that was constructed to replace it failed in 1939. We will explore from a multinational perspective the ways in which the dominant nation-states competed for both power and security in what was perceived to be the new world order. We will seek to understand the ways in which the Great Powers attempted to balance their national needs for economic and military security with their desires for international prominence and stability.

The second half of the course will trace the Cold War from beginning to end. Starting from the foundations of the Cold War in the wartime alliances and conduct of the Second World War, we will look at the origins of the Cold War in Europe and Asia. We will trace the expansion of the Cold War from its origins in Europe to its extension to the peripheral states in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Some further themes that we will cover will include: (1) the importance of the proxy conflicts as both Cold War front lines and Cold War determinants; (2) decolonization and the end of the modern European empires; (3) the rise of China; (4) the nuclear age and the arms race; (5) the collapse of the Soviet Union; and (6) the struggle to construct the post-Cold War international order.

Course Requirements:

Late work will not be accepted without prior agreement of the professor.

You are required to attend the weekly lectures and sections and be responsible for the material covered in them. Please come to class on time so that you do not cause unnecessary disruption for your fellow classmates. Please also do not leave class before the class is dismissed.

Students must attend a discussion section led by one of the discussion section leaders (DSL). Your section grade will be based on attendance, informed contributions to class discussions and any additional assignments made by your DSL’s. Sections and discussions will cover the readings, lectures, and movies. Readings are expected to be completed by the Thursday of each week.

Four map quizzes. (15 January, 29 January, 26 February, 11 March)

One paper, approximately 5-7 pages in length, due 1 March, at beginning of class. Instructions attached at end of syllabus.

One in-class midterm exam, covering through the end of World War II. (12 February)

One final examination, covering from the end of World War II to the end of the course. (Wednesday, 17 March, 1:30 PM - 3:18 PM).

[The midterm and the final will follow the same format. There will be a section of identifications, a short answer question drawing upon your understanding of the reading, and one longer, comprehensive essay question.]

Midterm: 30%; Final: 35%; Paper: 15%; Sections: 15%; Map Quizzes: 5%

Policies:

(1) Examinations and Quizzes: You must take the exams and quizzes at the scheduled time. Students will be allowed to take a make-up exam only for urgent reasons, such as a medical or legal emergency. In accordance with departmental policy, the student will be expected to present proof of the emergency, such as an official statement from the University Medical Center. If you need to take a make-up exam, you must submit your proof of emergency to me within 9 days of the scheduled exam.

(2) Grade complaints must be made in writing and only after 24 hours have passed after grades are distributed. All grade complaints should first be directed to your DSL.

(3) Academic dishonesty: Papers and exams must represent the work of the student alone. Plagiarism or cheating will result in a failing grade on the assignment and other penalties determined by university regulations. Students are encouraged to consult with me or a DSL if they are uncertain about the proper use of sources. See also paper assignment at end of syllabus.

(4) In accordance with departmental policy, all students must be officially enrolled in the course by the end of the second full week of the quarter. No requests to add the course will be approved by the department chair after that time. Enrolling officially and on time is solely the responsibility of each student.

(5) Please turn of cell-phones at the beginning of class.

*All students with disabilities who need accommodations should see me privately during my office hours to make arrangements. Please do so by the third week of class.*

Readings available for Purchase:

All readings for purchase available at SBX and on reserve in the Main Library

Goff/Moss/Terry/Upshur. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History.

Fussell, Paul. The Great War in Modern Memory.

Koestler, Arthur. Darkness at Noon.

Spence, Jonathan. Mao Zedong.

Troung Nhu Tang, A Vietcong Memoir.

Walker, J. Samuel. Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the use of atomic bombs against Japan.

Course Sessions and Readings:

Week I:

5 January—The First World War—Conflict and conduct

6 January—The Russian Revolution

7 January—The First World War, Continued

8 January—In class movie: “Gallipoli”; Director, Peter Weir; starring Mel Gibson, Mark Lee (1981)

Readings for Week I:

Fussell, Paul. The Great War in Modern Memory. Chapters 1-4.

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 94-114.

Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, 15 March 1917: http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/wwi/1917/abnick2.html

Wilson’s Fourteen Points: http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/wwi/1918/14points.html

Week II:

12 January—Versailles and the Peace to End All War

13 January—The Peace in Europe

14 January—The Peace in Asia

15 January—Discussion Session (covering readings and movie for weeks i and ii) and Map Quiz I (Europe)

Readings for Week II:

Fussell, Paul. The Great War in Modern Memory. Chapters 5-9.

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 120-133 (recommended), pp. 148-165, (required).

Sykes-Picot Agreement, 15 & 16 May, 1916: http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/wwi/1916/sykespicot.html

Report on War Guilt by the 'Commission on the Responsibility of the Authors of the War': http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/wwi/1918/warguilt.html

Treaty of Versailles, Article 231: http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/wwi/versa/versa7.html

Eduard Benes: The Rationale for The Little Entente, 1924: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1924benes1.html

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1932): Address to Turkish Youth: http://www.ataturk.com/genc.htm#english

Week III:

19 January—No Class—MLK Day

20 January—The Totalitarians: The USSR

21 January—The Totalitarians: Germany

22 January—In class movie: “Der Blaue Engel”; director, Josef von Sternberg; starring Marlene Dietrich, Emil Jannings, Kurt Geron, Rosa Valetti, Hans Albers (1930)

Readings for Week III:

Koestler, Arthur. Darkness at Noon, pp. 1-133.

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 134-147, 218-228.

The Nuremberg Laws 1933-1935:

http://www.mtsu.edu/~baustin/nurmlaw1.html

http://www.mtsu.edu/~baustin/nurmlaw2.html

http://www.mtsu.edu/~baustin/nurmlaw3.html

Week IV:

26 January—The Origins of WWII in Europe: Appeasement

27 January—The Origins of WWII in Europe: The Nazi-Soviet Pact

28 January—The Outbreak of the War in Europe

29 January—Discussion Session (covering readings and movie for weeks iii and iv) and Map Quiz II (Asia and Middle East)

Readings for Week IV:

Koestler, Arthur. Darkness at Noon, pp. 134-224.

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 230-42.

Munich Pact: http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/imt/munich1.htm

Neville Chamberlain, on September 30, 1938: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/neville.htm

Molotov-Ribbentrop Non-Aggression Pact and Secret Protocol, Moscow, August 23, 1939: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1939pact.html

Week V:

2 February—Rise of Japan/The Outbreak of the War in Asia

3 February—The War in Europe 41-45

4 February—The War in the Far East 41-45

5 February—In class movie: “Europa Europa”; director/screenwriter, Agnieszka Holland; starring Marco Hofschneider, Julie Delpy, Hanns Zischler, Andre Wilms.

Readings for Week V:

Walker, J. Samuel. Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the use of atomic bombs against Japan.. (all)

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 243-263.

The Wannsee Conference, 1942: http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/h-wannsee.htm

Edith P., A Czech survivor describes Auschwitz [download audio (faster) or video (slower) and read text]:: http://www.library.yale.edu/testimonies/excerpts/edithp.html

Col. Edmund M., An American officer describes the liberation of Mauthausen [download audio (faster) or video (slower) and read text]: http://www.library.yale.edu/testimonies/excerpts/edmundm.html

Christa M., A German witness describes prisoners from Dachau [download audio (faster) or video (slower) and read text]: http://www.library.yale.edu/testimonies/excerpts/christam.html

Toshiko Saeki’s Testimony on Bombing of Hiroshima: http://www.inicom.com/hibakusha/toshiko.html

Hiroshi Sawachika’s Testimony on Bombing of Hiroshima: http://www.inicom.com/hibakusha/hiroshi.html

Week VI:

9 February—The Consequences of the War in Europe and Asia

10 February—The Partition of Germany

11 February—The Drawing of the Iron Curtain

12 February—Midterm Exam, covering through the end of World War II

Readings for Week VI:

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 270-311.

Winston S. Churchill, “Iron Curtain Speech,” March 5, 1946: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/churchill-iron.html

George Kennan, Excerpts from “The Long Telegram”: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/longtel.html

Week VII:

16 February—The Rise of the People’s Republic of China

17 February—The Cold War in Asia II

18 February—The Cold War in Asia III

19 February—In class movie: “To Live”; director Zhang Yimou; starring You Ge, Li Gong (1994).

Readings for Week VII:

Spence, Jonathan. Mao Zedong.

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 329-53.

NSC-68: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/nsc-68/nsc68-1.htm

Week VIII:

23 February—Case Study: Nationalism in the Middle East

24 February—The Crises in Europe

25 February—Latin America and the Cuban Missile Crisis

26 February—Discussion Session (covering readings and movie for weeks vi and vii and primary sources for week viii) and Map Quiz III (Africa)

Readings for Week VIII:

Troung Nhu Tang, A Vietcong Memoir, chapters 1-12 .

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 368-71, 381-88.

Prime Minister Nehru: Speech to Bandung Conference Political Committee, 1955: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1955nehru-bandung2.html

“Balfour Declaration”: http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/mideast/balfour.htm

Declaration of Israel's Independence, May 14, 1948: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/truman/psources/ps_israel.html

Speech by President Nasser of the United Arab Republic, September 15, 1956: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1956Nasser-suez1.html

Statement By Soviet Union That A U.S. Attack On Cuba Would Mean Nuclear War, September 11, 1962: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/precrisis.htm

Week IX:

1 March—Papers Due, beginning of class—The Nuclear Age

2 March—Case Study: Africa and the Challenges of Independence

3 March—Case Study: Vietnam

4 March—In class movie: “Lumumba”; director, Raoul Peck; starring Eriq Ebouaney, Alex Descas, Maka Kotto, Théophile Moussa Sowie, André Debaar (2000).

Readings for Week IX:

Troung Nhu Tang, A Vietcong Memoir, chapters 13-epilogue.

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 354-66.

United Nations: Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 1960: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1960-un-colonialism.html

Johnson's Address to the Congress, Tonkin Gulf Incident, August 5, 1964: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/tonkinsp.htm

Week X:

8 March—Crisis and Détente

9 March—Détente and Crisis

10 March—The End of the Cold War

11 March— Discussion Section (covering readings and movie for weeks viii, ix and x) and Map Quiz IV (Latin America)

Readings for Week X:

Goff, et al.. The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, pp. 476-96.

Gaddis, John Lewis. We Now Know: Rethinking the Cold War (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), pp. 1-25: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/nowknow.htm

Wednesday, 17 March, 1:30-3:18 pm: FINAL EXAM

History 597

Critical Issues of the Twentieth Century World

PAPER INSTRUCTIONS

Winter 2004

Write an interpretive essay of approximately 1500 words (5 to 7 pages) on one or more of the assigned primary source documents, for which there are internet addresses in the syllabi. (If you are not sure which of the reading assignments is a primary source, please check with the professor or DSL’s.)

Your essay should consist of three parts. First, place your document in its larger context by discussing the historic influences and events within which it was produced. The next part should be based on a close, careful reading and analysis of your document. The third should discuss the immediate international consequences of the document. You should consult your lecture notes and assigned texts. While you are not expected to use any other sources or secondary materials for this discussion, you are always allowed to do so, provided all of your references are properly cited.

All papers are due on Monday, 1 March, at THE BEGINNING OF CLASS. Papers that are submitted after the professor has begun lecturing will be considered late, with no exceptions. Late papers will be penalized one-third of a letter-grade per day. Electronic submissions will not be allowed without the prior agreement of the professor.

You will be graded on your writing style and grammar as well as the content of your paper. Be sure to proofread and edit thoroughly before turning in your paper. Margins should not be smaller than one-inch. Fonts should be serif and 12 point. Lines must be double-spaced. Your pages must be numbered (no number on the first page of text) and there must be a title page. Your paper must have a bibliography and footnotes, (not parenthetical citations) and your citations must follow either the Chicago Manual of Style, the MLA Handbook, or Kate Turabian’s A Guide for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Guidelines for the use of the Chicago style, including online sources, can be seen at the addresses below. The first is for footnotes, the second is for bibliographic entries.

http://gethelp.library.upenn.edu/PORT/Port7c.intextChHu.html

http://gethelp.library.upenn.edu/PORT/Port7c.bibliographicChSS.html

I urge you to be extremely vigilant in crediting your sources. As The Ohio State University Code of Student Conduct outlines: “Plagiarism is the representation of another's work or ideas as one's own; it includes the unacknowledged word-for-word use and/or paraphrasing of another person's work, and/or the inappropriate unacknowledged use of another person's ideas.” Plagiarism is considered to be academic misconduct, which will result in disciplinary action.

The University Committee on Academic Misconduct has provided the following page, which contains numerous websites dealing with plagiarism and how to avoid it:

http://oaa.osu.edu/coam/prevention.html