Routledge Handbook of the Global History of Warfare

This handbook explores the global history of warfare, focusing on its development from the ancient past to the present day. It provides a broader, more inclusive story of the global, human experience with wars and warfare, with 35 chapters organized in eight thematic parts. It is of great interest to students of military history, naval history, strategic studies, and world history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 530 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive handbook delves into the intricate tapestry of the global history of warfare, exploring the evolving patterns of conflict throughout time. While traditional scholarship has tended to prioritize a chronological narrative focused on the Western experience, global histories of warfare have grappled with the challenge of avoiding an excessive emphasis on the West. The present volume, rather than presenting a linear history, presents a collection of themes that shed light on the emergence of warfare as a universal historical phenomenon, spanning from ancient times to the present day. By bringing together a diverse array of experts, this volume offers a broader and more inclusive narrative of the global, human experience with wars and warfare.

Organized into eight thematic parts, the handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the global experience of warfare. Part I: Origins of Warfare delves into the historical roots of conflict, examining the factors that have shaped the development of armed societies. Part II: Polities and Armed Forces in the Pre-Modern Era explores the organization and tactics of armed forces in pre-modern societies, including the rise of empires and the emergence of state-based warfare. Part III: Steppe Nomads of Eurasia examines the military strategies and tactics of nomadic groups in Eurasia, such as the Mongols and the Turkic peoples. Part IV: Naval Warfare and Piracy in the Pre-Industrial World explores the naval warfare and piracy that characterized the pre-industrial world, including the development of naval technologies and the role of pirates in shaping global trade. Part V: The Impact of Gunpowder examines the transformative effects of gunpowder on warfare, including the development of artillery, the rise of fortifications, and the shift towards more centralized military organizations. Part VI: Transition from Industrial to Total War explores the transition from traditional to industrial warfare, including the rise of mechanized armies, the use of chemical weapons, and the emergence of total war as a dominant military strategy. Part VII: Wars of Decolonisation and Cold War examines the conflicts that characterized the decolonization process and the Cold War era, including the rise of nationalism, the spread of communism, and the nuclear arms race. Part VIII: Postmodern/New Wars examines the conflicts that have emerged in the postmodern and post-Cold War periods, including the rise of terrorism, the conflicts in the Middle East, and the challenges of counterinsurgency warfare.

This handbook is of immense interest to students of military history, naval history, strategic studies, and world history in general. It offers a valuable resource for those seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of warfare throughout history. By exploring the origins, evolution, and impact of warfare on societies across the globe, this handbook provides a framework for analyzing and interpreting the complex dynamics of conflict in the modern world.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138345386