MADN-HIST



A History of the Military Art in the 20th Century (Studying “Modern War”)

HIST 20100; CRN 13747

Nicholas Michael Sambaluk, PhD

10:30-11:20am MWF, University Hall 217

Introduction: The 20th century was singularly shaped by warfare, technology, and geopolitical upheaval. Ideological movements rose and fell, sometimes with brutal violence, as societies and individuals strove to survive and shape the world in which they lived. The decline and destruction of the European imperial empires, the savage pursuit of fascism, the cataclysmic rise and failure of Marxism, and the simultaneously global and local struggle to control decolonization and the spaces opened by receding ideologies all contributed to the tumultuous significance of history’s bloodiest century.

Warfare spurs innovation and is in direct contact with innovations in technology and in thought. Relationships between individuals and institutions were contested and redefined through changes in warfare, and this course considers some of those changes and how and why they happened. This involves study of the political, strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war, as well as devoted attention to technological developments in combat, mobilization, and preparedness.

OBJECTIVE: By engaging with an immensely nuanced and relevant topic, “A History of the Military Art in the 20th Century” aims to develop critical and creative thought, enabling historical analysis and constructive discussion and communication among students and as a class. Key skills include understanding the confluence of different forces in history (technological, social, political, economic) on warfare and innovation, communication of clear and historically informed concepts, and a demonstrating a willingness to pursue progressive and continued intellectual development.

COURSE ORGANIZATION: This course is developed for Purdue undergraduate populations and draws inspiration from the History of the Military Art II course that for decades has marked the capstone educational experience for cadets at the United States Military Academy. Analysis of major events and trends will be engaged in essentially a chronological order. Whereas the USMA course aims to prepare officers for commissioned careers in the United States Army, this course is designed to equip students with a knowledge of the role of military events in modern history, to provide context and facilitate wisdom, in keeping with the purposes of historical study. A crucial trait of dynamic environments (and a frequent characteristic of innovations) is that multiple changes are in progress simultaneously, changing the impact and context of other changes by presenting unanticipated challenges and opportunities. Attention to this fact will be paid during the semester.

GRADING: Grades are determined on the basis of four factors: two midterm exams; participation in class discussions; and a final exam. Each of these components constitutes 250 possible units of the 1000 available for the semester (25% of your overall course grade).

MIDTERM EXAM: The midterm exams will each consist of a pair of essays, drawn from the questions in the syllabus annex.

PARTICIPATION IN CLASS DISCUSSIONS: A major element in any learning environment is an open space in which to discuss ideas, interpretations, and perspectives, based on evidence and analysis. Your active participation in discussions is a central component of your learning, and it helps your colleagues succeed as well. Consequently, the active participation of others, asking earnest questions and adding constructive comments and insights, is an important element in your learning as well as in their own. Active learning is a necessary component for successful learning, and it is a graded component of this course.

FINAL EXAM: The final exam is a pair of essays, one engaging in particular with the last portion of the semester material and the other encompassing the major course theme.

GRADE SCALE: There are 1000 points available for the course, which translate into a 100-percent grade scale. For example, 876 points for the course equates to 87.6%. The scale is indicated below:

Letter Grade % Grade Level of Achievement

A+ 97 - 100%

A 93 - 96.9% Excellent

A- 90 - 92.9%

B+ 87 - 89.9%

B 83 - 86.9% Good

B- 80 - 82.9%

C+ 77 - 79.9%

C 73 - 76.9% Satisfactory

C- 70 - 72.9%

D 67 - 69.9% Marginal

F Below 67% Unsatisfactory

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: People learn through doing their own work. Academic misconduct in any form cheats all concerned, and it will not be tolerated. Minimum penalty for plagiarized work is a “0” for the assignment – I may consider recommending a “0” for the assignment only this is if someone, beset by conscience, comes forward before I discover the instance. Whenever I discover plagiarism or other misconduct, the penalty will be severe: assignments take time to grade and they are worth doing.

LATE WORK: Late papers cannot be accepted and will not be graded.

CLASS RECORDING: Unapproved students’ electronic voice or image recordings of class lectures or discussions are expressly prohibited and result in forfeiture of the participation grade for the semester as a whole.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: Reasonable ADA accommodations will be arranged as necessary and practicable. All reasonable accommodations will be made, if needed, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a need in this area, please get in touch with me immediately, so that it can be possible to address any situation regarding reasonable accommodations.

REQUIRED TEXTS: Required textbooks are:

“Dr Nick Sambaluk: History of the Military Art,” ed. Ty Siedule, Cliff Rogers, et al, The West Point History of Warfare. (for iPad, Android). This can be either rented for a six-month period or purchased outright. Order is available at

Entangled Geographies: Empire and Technopolitics in the Global Cold War. ed. Gabrielle Hecht. 2011. ISBN: 9780262515788

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES: The calendar for the semester appears below.

1. Orientation and the Russo-Japanese War (Aug 24)

a. WPHW reader, ch1

2. The Path to WWI (Aug 26)

a. WPHW reader, ch2

3. Strategies for the Great War (Aug 28)

a. WPHW reader, ch3

4. Stalemate and Response (Aug 31)

a. WPHW reader, ch4

5. Strategic Options and Grand Strategy (Sept 2)

a. WPHW reader, ch5

6. Industrial war (Sept 4)

a. WPHW reader, ch6

7. Holiday (Sept 7)

8. 1917 (Sept 9)

a. WPHW reader, ch7

9. German Spring offensives (Sept 11)

a. WPHW reader, ch8

10. Ending the War (Sept 14)

a. WPHW reader, ch9

11. Versailles and Security Considerations (Sept 16)

a. WPHW reader, ch10

12. /////MIDTERM EXAM ON FOLLOWING CLASS DAY///// (Sept 18)

13. Drop Day/Army Cyber Commitments (Sept 21)

14. Drop Day/Army Cyber Commitments (Sept 23)

15. Security in the Interwar Era (Sept 25)

a. WPHW reader, ch11

16. Blitzkrieg Campaigns: 1939 and 1940 (Sept 28)

a. WPHW reader, ch12

17. Battle of Britain (Sept 30)

a. WPHW reader, ch13

18. Barbarossa: Nazi political goals and operational implications (Oct 2)

a. WPHW reader, ch14

19. Japanese Expansion (Oct 5)

a. WPHW reader, ch15

20. 1942 (Oct 7)

a. WPHW reader, ch16

21. Economies at War (Oct 9)

a. WPHW reader, ch17

22. Holiday (Oct 12)

23. Seapower (Oct 14)

a. WPHW reader, ch18

24. Air War (Oct 16)

a. Phillip S. Meilinger, “A History of Effects-Based Air Operations,” The Journal of Military History 71.1 (Jan 2007), pp139-67, on JSTOR

25. Waging Global War (Oct 19)

a. WPHW reader, ch19

26. Kursk (Oct 21)

a. David M. Glantz, “Soviet Military Strategy During the Period of War (November 1942-December 1943): A Reappraisal,” The Journal of Military History, 60.1 (Jan 1996), pp115-50, on JSTOR

27. D-Day (Oct 23)

a. WPHW reader, ch20

28. Sealing the Victory in Europe (Oct 26)

a. Entangled Geographies, ch2

29. Defeating Japan (Oct 28)

a. WPHW reader, ch21

30. Ending WWII (Oct 30)

a. WPHW reader, ch22

31. /////MIDTERM EXAM ON FOLLOWING CLASS DAY///// (Nov 2)

32. Cold War (Nov 4)

a. WPHW reader, ch23

33. The Korean War, 1950 (Nov 6)

a. WPHW reader, ch24

34. Korean War, 1951-53 (Nov 9)

a. WPHW reader, ch25

35. Nuclear Weapons (Nov 11)

a. Entangled Geographies, ch4

36. Decolonization (Nov 13)

a. WPHW reader, ch26

37. Europe confronts the New Security Environment (Nov 16)

a. Entangled Geographies, ch5

38. Vietnam 1954-63 (Nov 18)

a. WPHW reader, ch28

39. Vietnam 1964-68 (Nov 20)

a. WPHW reader, ch29

40. Vietnam 1968-71 (Nov 23)

a. WPHW reader, ch30

41. Holiday (Nov 25)

42. Holiday (Nov 27)

43. Vietnam 1972-75 (Nov 30)

a. WPHW reader, ch31

44. Israeli Wars of 1967 and 1973 (Dec 2)

a. WPHW reader, ch27

45. From Active Defense to AirLand Battle (Dec 4)

a. Entangled Geographies, ch6

46. Mideast Wars 1979-90 (Dec 7)

a. Entangled Geographies, ch9

47. End of the Cold War (Dec 9)

a. WPHW reader, ch32

48. From the 1990s and into the Long War (Dec 11)

a. WPHW reader, ch33

49. /////FINAL EXAM ON FINALS WEEK/////

COUNSELING AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT: The best way to contact me is either by email (sambaluk@purdue.edu) or to drop by during my office hours (M 1:00-3:00pm or by appointment). All reasonable accommodations will be made, if needed, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Standard rules for Purdue University are applicable regarding Purdue students taking this course. If you have a need in this area, please get in touch with me immediately, so that it can be possible to address any situation regarding reasonable accommodations.

NICHOLAS MICHAEL SAMBALUK, PhD

Assistant Professor of Practice in Military Science and Technology

Purdue University

ANNEX 1: QUESTIONS FOR THE SEMESTER

1. Describe and explain the development of the trench warfare dynamic on the Western Front during WWI.

2. Describe and explain efforts undertaken by both sides, at the tactical and operational level and through technology, to replace the stalemate on the Western Front with victory. Indicate the outcome of these efforts and indicate why.

3. Describe and explain the relationship between fighting on the Western Front and in other theaters of the conflict.

4. Describe and explain the role of industrial mobilization on the battlefield, and the role of combat on the homefront.

5. Describe and explain the last iteration (1918) of German efforts to bring victory on the Western Front.

6. Describe and explain the last iteration (1918) of Allied efforts to bring victory on the Western Front.

7. Describe and explain coalition dynamics on the side opposing Germany.

8. Describe and explain coalition dynamics on Germany’s side.

9. Describe and explain how ideas about “modern war” impacted the fighting during the First World War, and how the war impacted ideas about what “modern warfare” would be like in the future?

10. Describe and explain bewegungskrieg, as it was undertaken from 1939-40.

11. Describe and explain the relationship between technologies that are developed and the tactical and operational approaches that an army (or air force or navy) to combat.

12. Describe and explain how practices in mobilization impact the waging of a war.

13. Describe and explain submarine warfare and antisubmarine warfare in the Atlantic Ocean.

14. Describe and explain the course and impact of the Combined Bomber Offensive.

15. Did bewegungskrieg revolutionize warfare? Describe and explain your answer.

16. Describe and explain the role of ideology on German and Japanese strategy during WWII.

17. Describe and explain Allied strategy and the ability of the Allied coalition to fight against the Axis.

18. Describe and explain the impact of airpower during WWII, across all theaters and participants.

19. Describe and explain the course and outcome of the war in the Pacific theater from December 1941 through August 1945.

20. Describe and explain why the Allies won WWII.

21. Describe and explain the emergence of the Cold War.

22. Describe and explain the idea of containment policy and the process of its adoption and maintenance by the United States.

23. Describe and explain the role of nuclear and thermonuclear weapons in the Cold War.

24. Describe and explain the changing security needs and opportunities, from the perspective of Western European countries from 1945 to the present.

25. Describe and explain the process of decolonization during the Cold War, and its relationship with the bilateral US-USSR competition between 1945 and 1989.

26. Describe and explain the outcome of the Vietnam War.

27. Describe and explain, using the Cold War for evidence, the relationship between technologies that are developed and tactical and operational concepts and doctrines that are established.

28. Describe and explain the ending of the Cold War. How do you link and hierarchize the different explanations for Soviet collapse, and why?

29. Describe and explain the impact of the Cold War on the global security environment, from 1979 to the current day.

30. Describe and explain the impact of the 20th century’s conflicts and events on “modern warfare.”

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