The University of Warwick (UOW) • ancient history and classical archaeology

Environmental history is a relatively new field regarding historical perspective. According to J.R. McNeil, environmental history is, “the history of the mutual relations between humankind and the rest of nature,” an important aspect of history that has often been neglected . The source that will be discussed is a piece of colonial correspondence between Virginian Governor Gooch (governor from 1727-1749) and how aspects of colonialism impacted the environment. The chosen source is particular...

This essay is going to the compare the level of impact disease had in the European colonisation of Africa, Australasia and the Americas. The diseases that will be discussed are smallpox, yellow fever and malaria and the impact each had. Alfred Crosby states that, “when migration takes place, those creatures who have been longest in isolation suffer most for their genetic material has been least tempered by the variety of world diseases,” this is important to note as it was due to the colonis...

The Columbian Exchange had an enormous impact on global expansion around the globe particularly on population growth. The local impact of the potato was already prevalent as Rebecca Earle states the potato, “sustained indigenous communities both before and after 1492”, this essay will be concerned with seeing if the potato had the same effect globally . Alfred Crosby stated that the increase in global food exchange initiated by the Columbian Exchange “made possible an increase in the numbe...

The flourishing of Venice was dependent on its global connections through trade. In Venetian society, “trade was the very heart of the economy”, trade was what linked the world together and the extent to which Venice flourished in commerce was enormous . Venetian economic superiority through economic developments such as taxing trade helped Venice flourish. The crusades also led to Venetian prosperity, by aiding in the monopolising of trade routes. Economic developments occurred as a result ...

Roland Barthes’, The Death of the Author, is a profound piece of literature that has sparked debate and contention since it was first published in 1967. It has divided historians and for good reason which will be explored in this essay. The notion that “the author is dead” is a post-structuralist argument, the central point of which is that a text is an explosion of language with multiple possibilities, rather than one meaning, which tends to be the historians ultimate goal – to uncover ...

Ranke provides a substantial debate on the question of whether History is an art or a science, this is the premise of the gobbet on is what will be discussed throughout the essay. Ranke was pioneering in his development of scientific historiography, focused on the “strict presentation of facts”. The essay will explore the extent to which history was a science and if this argument holds to fruition. Discussion on this quote, Leopold von Ranke, ‘On the Character of Historical Science,’ 183...

There has been historical contention over the question surrounding the concept of nation in Mexico and if its peoples had such a concept. Many argue this is why Mexico lost the war, this essay will argue the opposite. The ‘concept of nation’ will be taken in a psychological context. Nation will be explored as the emotional attachment of different ethnic groups to Mexico and its values and attitudes. Mexican society was one that valued Catholicism, family honour, comradeship and was affected ...

Valerie Hansen writes a comprehensive book on the Silk Road and the value of trade with a focus on the development of society and people in this ancient world. Hansen aims to, “sketch the main events in the history of each oasis community, describe the different groups who resided there and their cultural interactions, outline the nature of the trade, and ultimately tell the flesh and blood story of the Silk Road” . This review is going to focus on Hansen’s argument about the nature of tra...

Deictic Pronouns

A summary of the Roman Government - each section and it's function, how they interact with one another - political relationships.