Only now, one hundred years after the July Crisis of 1914 that triggered World War One, we have a complete picture of the events that occurred. Although scholars enjoy access to numerous sources of all types that document practically every step taken by the rulers, politicians and generals instrumental in turning the crisis ...
The Treaty of Versailles set the stage for World War II
Interview
On June 28, 1914, the world was shattered by a shot that took the life of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and unleashed World War One. However, the assassination only provided a pretext for the future warring parties to take military action, while the roots of the lasting conflict can be found in the fundamental conflicts between the great powers. On the eve of the centennial ...
“A thousand-year-old” history as the basis of Russian identity
In recent years, the Russian authorities have been referring more and more often to the country’s “thousand-year-old history”. Not only does this formula set a chronological framework, but it also distils the principle of the narrative enunciated by the state leaders, that is, the historical scheme into which concrete events are fitted. This provides the context of the recent decisions aimed at reviving...
Interview
Countries across Europe, and particularly France, are preparing for the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One. While Europe remembers and honors Russia's participation, Russia itself has all but forgotten it. We spoke with
Alexander Chubaryan
, Director of the Institute of World History at the Russian Academy of Sciences, about the role played ...