Europe in Crisis: The World Wars in Europe

Summer 2008

A European soldier lies on his stomach aiming a rifle. There is rubble around him and a sign pointing towards Caen Centre.

A soldier keeps a lookout for snipers in the ruins of Caen, France, July 9, 1944. (Image courtesy of the United Kingdom Government.)


Instructors:

Michelle Bentivegna
(Student Instructor)

Course Description

World War I and World War II are often seen as one large war by historians. We will look at both wars from a political, military and social perspective, focusing on the effect that these wars had on Europe. We might also discuss non-European aspects on the war, though in less depth.

Topics include the buildup to WWI, trench warfare, the Treaty of Versaiiles, the rise of the Nazi party, re-armament, and the entrance of America into WWII, among many other topics relating to the two world wars.

This class is designed for students who have not studied European history in-depth before.