Mathematical Communities in the Reconstruction After the Great War 1918-1928: Trajectories and Institutions

This book explores the aftermath of the Great War for mathematical communities, focusing on the 1920s, a period not extensively considered by historiography. It features selected original research presented at an international meeting in Marseilles in 2018. The book highlights how territorial changes, new alliances, and a redistribution of trade shaped international life during the interwar period and had a significant impact on scientific life, including the mathematical sciences. It also discusses the restructuring of research and teaching in the mathematical sciences, accompanied by the founding of new international or national associations of mathematicians. The book presents case studies illustrating how mathematicians organized their personal trajectories in the aftermath of the war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 363 pages
Publication date: 29 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book is a remarkable outcome of an international meeting held in Marseilles in November 2018, with the sole purpose of examining the aftermath of the Great War for mathematical communities. Within its pages, you will find a collection of selected original research that delves into a period of history that has been relatively overlooked by historiography: the 1920s. These papers offer fresh perspectives on this era, shedding light on its significance and complexities.

Following the conclusion of World War I in 1918, a significant wave of political and territorial changes swept across Europe. New countries emerged, while the borders of several others were altered or redrawn. Territories were annexed, and entire regions were lost to other nations. These territorial shifts serve as a testament to the profound and multifaceted upheavals that European societies faced in the aftermath of the Great War. The reconfiguration of political Europe was accompanied by the formation of new alliances and a reorganization of trade, encompassing commercial, intellectual, artistic, and military exchanges. These changes had a profound impact on international life during the interwar period, shaping the world in ways that are still felt today.

The mathematical sciences, which had undergone a profound disciplinary evolution from the late 19th century to the 1920s, were also subjected to a dual movement: internal and external. This movement led to a sustainable restructuring of research and teaching within the field. At the same time, various areas within mathematics, such as topology, functional analysis, abstract algebra, logic, and probability, experienced exceptional development. This period witnessed the birth of new international or national associations of mathematicians, including the founding of the International Mathematical Union in 1918 and the contentious establishment of the International Research Council.

The central theme of this book is to present case studies that illustrate how the aftermath of the Great War influenced the development of mathematics in the 1920s. By examining these case studies, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the historical context, the societal changes, and the intellectual currents that shaped the field during this transformative period. The book aims to bridge the gap between historical analysis and mathematical research, providing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the era.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable contribution to the field of mathematics history, offering a fresh perspective on a period that has been largely overlooked. It provides a wealth of information and insights that will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and anyone with a passion for the history and development of mathematics.

Weight: 581g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030616854
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021