From World Economy to World Wars: The Age of Deglobalization, 1914-1945
HIST 344
Spring 2026
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01
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Why was an unprecedented era of global trade, investment, and prosperity suddenly shattered by world war in 1914? And why did such catastrophic global conflicts break out twice in the twentieth century? This seminar analyzes the intersections of trade, investment, great power rivalry, and international security to assess the role that economic interdependence played in the heightened tensions foreshadowing the two most destructive conflicts in history. Looking closely at prewar global entanglements and inter-imperial rivalries, it will analyze why war broke out in 1914 and why it spread beyond Europe. It will consider the attempts at peacemaking in 1919 and how the failure to create a durable world economic order encouraged protectionism, protected imperial blocs, and aggression by Italy, Germany, and Japan in the 1930s. The course will discuss the Second World War as an outgrowth of the unresolved problems of the interwar period. We will study this war and its aftermath, as well as the more durable economic order created during the Cold War. The seminar concludes with student presentations on a topic of their choosing that will culminate in research papers submitted at the end of the semester. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (History Minor)(History) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
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Christopher Clark, The Sleepwalkers.
Erik Grimmer-Solem, Learning Empire.
Konrad Jarausch, Out of Ashes.
James Joll, The Origins of the First World War.
Charles Kindleberger, The World in Depression.
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919.
Richard Overy, Blood and Ruins.
Adam Tooze, Deluge.
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Examinations and Assignments:
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1) Attendance and participation (10%)
2) Short paper (10%)
3) Midterm exam (20%)
4) Research paper prospectus (10%)
5) Class presentation (10%)
6) Research paper (40%) |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Grimmer-Solem,Erik Times: ...W... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 5 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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