The History Faculty

Who was more important in directing foreign policy in the period 1515-1529; King Henry VIII or Wolsey. Dr. Glenn Richardson, Senior Lecturer in History, St. Mary's University College.

How Far did Henry VIII Achieve his Aims: 1509 - 1514? Dr. Glen Richardson, Senior Lecturer, St. Mary's University College.

Fantastic interview of Stalin and Great Terror expert Professor J. Arch Getty, University of California, Los Angeles, conducted by Dr. James Harris, University of Leeds, editor of Stalin: A New History.This insightful conversation traces Professor Getty's own interest in history, through his intellectual development, considering his major contributions to the study of Josef Stalin.

"Stalin and The Great Terror' by Professor J. Arch Getty, Professor of Modern Russian History, University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Hester Barron, University of Sussex: 'To What Extent was The First World War Responsible for the longer-term Liberal Decline?'

Dr. Hester Barron, University of Sussex: Living Standards: Regional 8 Social Differences 1919-1939

Radicalism 8 Civil Rights: Dr. Simon Hall, University of Leeds.

Nonviolence 8 Civil Rights: Dr. Simon Hall, University of Leeds.

John F. Kennedy 8 Civil Rights: Dr. Simon Hall, University of Leeds.

Reasons for the Labour Landslide of 1945: Explanations given by Conservative Party in aftermath of election; Longer-term trends in society; Wartime politics; Composition of the electorate. Dr. Hester Barron, University of Sussex.

Why did the General Strike not Succeed? Dr. Hester Barron, University of Sussex: Introduction; How far were the leaders of the TUC General Council responsible?; Government position (maintenance of law and order and support of the population); Aims of the strike; Conclusion

The Russian Provisional Government is discussed by historians as a failure. It is presented as not taking decisive action on a range of pressing issues. It therefore lost popular support and was easily removed from power by the Bolsheviks in October 1917. This talk gives a more sympathetic account of the range of problems confronting the Provisional Government, arguing that it was undermined largely by factors outside its control: the war, a revolution in the countryside, the lack of equilibrium in exchange between town and countryside; an urban economic crisis; the break-up of the late imperial state through national movements; a lack of international backing; and the unique environment of Petrograd. The main failing of the Provisional Government was during Kerensky’s leadership, most notably the disastrous Kornilov Affair. We should also note the great success of the Provisional Government – the fact that it did arrange elections to the Constituent Assembly in very trying and difficult conditions

Leon Trotsky joined the Bolsheviks in August 1917 after many years of separation. He was nevertheless a key figure in the establishment and maintenance of Soviet power. It was Trotsky’s strategy by which the Bolsheviks came to power. As Commissar for Foreign Affairs, it was Trotsky’s ‘no peace, no war’ policy that in the debates about whether to sign a separate peace with Germany saved the Bolsheviks from splitting down the middle. In his next post, Commissar for War, there has been no historical agreement about the impact of Trotsky’ military strategy, but the Red Army was formed on Trotsky’s principles and it was Trotsky who protected the specialists that led the Red Army to victory. Undoubtedly Trotsky was a major propagandist for the Bolsheviks; his civil war train was a legend in its own time. Trotsky did not however establish a firm support base at the peak of the Bolshevik elite. Many leading Bolsheviks, especially Stalin, resented Trotsky as an anti-party figure. Trotsky’s economic policies and prognoses found little support. Devoid of Lenin’s backing nothing was more certain than Trotsky’s defeat in the power struggle to be the next leader of the Soviet state. There is no better illustration of Trotsky’s isolation than his decision not to return to Moscow for Lenin’s funeral, despite Stalin’s quick action to inform Trotsky in the expectation that Trotsky would wish to be at Lenin’s burial

To what extent was imperialism a popular policy in Britain throughout the period from 1880 to 1902? Dr. Chris Prior, University of Leeds: The press; The musichalls and poopular culture; Opponents of empire; Different imperial policies.

How far do you agree that the First World War marked a decisive chance in Britain's control over its empire in the years 1870-1980? Dr. Chris Prior, University of Leeds: India - nationalism and imperial policy; White Dominions - self-government and bonds of interest; Africa - nationalism and local disturbances; Other factors - imperial overstretch and morale