Brunel University History Society
Issue 002
The Top Hat
Cicero
Histories of Power and Empire Brunel University Isambard Centre for Historical Research Wednesday Seminar Series 2012-13
Gaskell Building Rm 239, Brunel University, Uxbridge
17 Oct. 5pm: Prof. Sir Richard J. Evans FBA, University of Cambridge ‘The American empire and the refashioning of German culture, 1945-55’
7 Nov. 4pm: Prof. Simon Gunn, University of Leicester
'The People and the Car: Automobility and the Transformation of Everyday Life in 1960s Britain'
5 Dec. 4pm: Prof. Peter Mandler, University of Cambridge
'The Sociological Imagination in Mid-Twentieth Century America and Britain’
16 Jan. 4pm: Dr. Jim Bjork, King’s College London
'Masquerade: Serial Nationalization between Agency and Indifference’
23 Jan. 4pm: Prof. Martin Thomas, University of Exeter
'Integrating and Disintegrating Empire and Republic in Postwar France’
13 Feb. 5pm: Prof. James Belich ONZM, University of Oxford 'The Black Death and the Spread of Europe’
6 Mar. 4pm: Dr. Sarah Stockwell, King’s College London
‘Loitering in the corridors of power: the British pursuit of an imperial role at the end of empire’
17 May. Afternoon: Symposium
‘Heritage, diversity and the legacies of empire’ A limited number of travel bursaries are available for non-Brunel students from across London. Contact: tamson.pietsch@brunel.ac.uk
Inside this Issue Page 7 Cicero Sam Aylett
Page 3
Forging a Dictator
Zander Oldring
Page 5
Star Wars
Louis Adcock
Page 9
East India Company
Stephanie Corner
Page 10
The Boy in the Striped Pjamas
Laura Marriner
Page 11
Lecturer of the Month
Inge Dornan
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Recipe for an Autocrat
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hat does it take to turn you into Stalin? Is it inherent or is it forged by life experience? To efficiently address these issues analysing the youth of the dictator seems the most effective way. Drawing upon the evidence presented by Simon Sebag Montefiore in his book Young Stalin this article will seek to explain the phenomena behind the tyrant responsible for so much 20th Century destruction. Born on the 8th December 1878, Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvili was to become a tyrant and a murderer. Yet he originated from humble beginnings. A son of an alcoholic cobbler and an attractive young Georgian, Stalin was clearly not born into greatness. However, his heritage and genealogy perhaps had a greater impact
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upon shaping him than many historians would care to consider. Stalin’s mother – affectionately known as Keke – was strong willed and bordering on arrogant; a trait which her son seemed to channel into self-righteous egoism. His father, Beso, too would have a great impact upon him, especially as he descended into alcoholism and domestic violence. Perhaps this exposure to violence desensitized the Young Stalin and allowed the ruthless massacres of the 1930s to take place.
Whilst this certainly holds a great amount of truth, placing the entire blame of Stalin’s bloodlust upon the parents seems to be not only clichéd but inaccurate. Montefiore seems to bring attention in his book to the fact that Stalin’s upbringing was not unique – his personality was though. Not
all these children developed into the neurotic dictator of Soviet Russia. Therefore, life events must have had an influence. Even from birth the young Djugashvili was struggling for his life. However, it was later accidents and illnesses that would have a greater impact. Stalin, for example, was to develop a stiffened, near crippled, left arm during his childhood. Whilst there is historical debate concerning the truth behind its origins Montefiore identifies a series of incidents in which Stalin was hit by phaetons. Not only did this damage his left arm but it resulted in a limp that would stay with the Russian leader until death. These physical impairments when combined with his heavily pockmarked face, Montefiore suggests, led to an inferiority complex. Such a complex was
Man of Steel
clear when Stalin highlights his annoyance at not being able to dance with women. It is possible that, therefore, such an inferiority complex fuelled the paranoia that would become commonplace during his time as dictator. Had this event happened in isolation, however, then the dictator may well have just been consigned to poverty and paranoia. The determination of Keke got Stalin an education and eventually a place at the Tiflis seminary. Importantly Montefiore brings attention to the interesting contradiction that the seminary seemed to create more atheists than it did clergy. It is for that reason that Tiflis Seminary was influential upon Stalin. It was here he developed a desire for Communism. Reading illicit texts and falling in love with Marx. His intelligence, delinquency and passion were channelled into a revolutionary cause. Stalin had shifted from a troublemaker to a political terrorist. Djugashvili, though was still capable of compassion and loyalty towards comrades until the 22nd November 1907. It was on this day Kato Svanidze, Stalin’s first wife
and romantic soul mate, died aged 22 from typhus. The impact upon Stalin personally was tremendous, but the impact upon his world view would have dramatic consequences for the world. When talking to a childhood friend Stalin remarked upon Kato’s death “she died and with her died my last warm feelings for humanity.” This fascinating fusion between beautiful romantic and stone hearted killer is perhaps best illustrated by that quote. Kato’s death was the hinge point when Stalin shifted from romantic revolutionary to dictatorial killer. Stalin’s combination of genealogy and upbringing are therefore, self-evidently, unique. Born with an
impetuous ego his strong emotions were forged into a paranoid, fanatical killer bent upon protecting the glorious revolution. This was moulded through a series of significant early life events that left the man over sensitive whilst emotionally stunted – a dangerous juxtaposition that led to the tragic loss of millions of lives. Zander Oldring Second Year Undergraduate
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Star Wars
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n the middle of considering the topic of my next article for this magazine, it dawned on me how much many popular films have been influence by historical events. In a series of articles exploring this correlation, I have decided to begin with the Star Wars franchise. This is mainly because it is easy to identify links between these films and historical events, but also because the recent Disney purchase of Lucasfilm has ignited a recent increase in interest in the Star Wars franchise. The first of said links that can be seen is not so much regarding a historical event as it is a person. This is the comparison between Palpatine, the primary antagonist of the prequel trilogy, and Adolf Hitler. While Palpatine’s ascent to becoming a dictator is an easy link to forge, this could be applied to any dictator throughout history.
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What makes the link so discernible between these two is the fact that one of the aims that contribute to Palpatine’s quest for galactic domination is the eradication of the Jedi. Not only does the discrimination against an entire people help the viewer draw comparisons between Palpatine and Hitler, the fact that Jedi happens to be a religion only helps to reinforce the credibility of this comparison. A link between these two characters is thus easily made, but this is not the only basis upon which one could compare Palpatine and Hitler. Another aspect of Palpatine’s agenda that corroborates this comparison is the fact that he eventually manages to eliminate all political opposition in the galaxy. Additionally, he achieved this during the process of transforming the Republic into an empire. Needless to say this mirrors the
transformation of Germany from a democratic state under the Weimar Republic to a totalitarian regime dubbed the Third Reich. It is equally noteworthy that post-transformation, both regimes went on to conquer further territories. Hence I stress the similarities between the fictional character that is Emperor Palpatine and the unfortunately non-fictional Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. Moving away from simply a character comparison, another feature of Palpatine’s regime mirrors that of the Third Reich. While the above points may or may not have been intended, I think it’s more than fair to say that this parallel has been intentionally fabricated. The point of comparison that I am referring to in this case is the fact that the soldiers that serve Palpatine’s regime are called Stormtroopers. While I am sure this comparison needs no explanation,
Similarities between Fact and Fiction
I will note as I find it interesting that Palpatine’s Stormtroopers appear first in the list when typing the word ‘Stormtrooper’ into Google. The similarities between not only the two personalities of Palpatine and Hitler, but also the similarities between the natures of both of their regimes are all the more evident when this ‘Stormtrooper’ connection is considered. Shifting focus away from comparisons to the Second World War, my next point of comparison between the Star Wars franchise and historical events is focusing on a more recent conflict. This is the similarity between the battle between the Ewoks and the forces of the Galactic Empire and the Vietnam War. This comparison is primarily based upon the primitive technology that the Ewoks utilised in combat. Not only did said technology consist of simply of wooden crafted weaponry, such
as bows and arrows, but the Galactic Empire were vastly superior in this regard as they were able to use weapons such as laser guns and speeder bikes. Another facet of this battle in Star Wars that prompts such a comparison is the fact that the battle occurs in a jungle based environment. This point illustrates that various events throughout history have influenced directors that worked on the Star Wars franchise at one point or another. As this article has llustrated, major films have been influenced by historical events in one way or another. In subsequent issues I will explore such influence on other major films. As for now, I hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you are looking forward to subsequent articles in the coming months.
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Louis Adcock Editor - In - Chief 6
Cicero and Cultural Property T
he charge against Gaius Verres is that during a period of three years he has laid waste the province of Sicily: that he has plundered Sicilian communities stripped bare Sicilian homes, and pillages Sicilian temples. Here before you, here with their tale of wrong, stand the whole Sicilian people. (In Caecilium div. 311) Above is an extract from a set of speeches written by rhetorician and classical ‘lawyer’ Cicero, who prosecuted under Roman law, the governor of Sicily, Gaius Verres, in the fifth century BCE who seized statues, paintings and other artefacts from the Sicilian people.
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For a history of these
events and how scholars have used cases like this to highlight origins of debate about cultural property I urge you to read Margaret M. Miles ‘Art as Plunder; The Ancient Origins of Debate about Cultural Property’. My own current research in regards to Cultural Property draws upon these debates and in this article I would like to draw your attention to the discourse and problems regarding Cultural Property. My current focus is in regards to illicit trading in antiquities and artefacts, but in this article I would like to focus on Cultural Property itself and questions of ownership and the Internationalist discourse.
State as being of importance for archaeology, prehistory, history, literature, art or science”. I have found the idea of ‘Cultural Property’ to be very problematic. I can see valid points in the Universalist argument for the shared stewardship of cultural property and its fluidity between institutions for purposes of education and dissemination. Also, I can see validity in the Nationalistic Retentionist argument that Cultural Property belongs to be held by its nation state in the correct historical context.
During the Enlightenment period after First of all I would like the French Revolution the you to ask yourself what you dissemination of information believe cultural property to be? between scholars, academics, The 1970 UNESCO Convention and countries started to spread on the Means of Prohibiting The Republic of Letters. Out of and Preventing the Illicit this also came ideas of Heritage Import, Export and Transfer and Culture transcendent of of Ownership of Cultural national borders. Property defines ‘Cultural Property’ as “property which, on Simultaneously religious or secular grounds, is Imperialist nations started to specifically designated by each collect cultural artefacts from around the globe during colonial conquests. Britain perhaps being the most prestigious of
Ancient Philosophy On Modern Issues Imperial powers amassed quite a collection, of which many well known artefacts were published in the British Museum and remain there to this day. Some of these famous imperial treasures include the Rosetta stone, the Bulls of Babylon and the ‘Elgin’ or Parthenon marbles; all of which are still on display and certainly worth a trip. Let us use The Parthenon Marbles as an example. The Parthenon Marbles were removed from the Acropolis in Greece between the years of 1801 and 1810 by Lord Elgin. Keep in mind what I have mentioned about Universalists ideas in regards to Cultural Property and ownership. The aforementioned 1970 UNESCO convention is not retroactive (it cannot be applied to cultural property removed prior to 1970). In 1983 a formal bilateral request was made by Greece for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, which was formally rejected in 1984 by the UK government. Greece made further moral claims for the marbles to be returned and housed in a new museum that had been
commissioned in anticipation of the 2004 Athens Olympics. The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation made further recommendations for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. However, The British Museum refused and continues to offer reasons as to why they cannot afford to remove the collection and that they cannot in light of the British Museum Act 1963. As you can see ideas in regards to Cultural Property and its ownership are many and somewhat problematic and whilst countries signing up to conventions much like the 1970 UNESCO convention agree that a universalist approach to Cultural Property is a positive approach and a necessary one many institutions still fight to retain illicitly gained artefacts and their practise is much more Nationalistic hoping to retain these items. There are many more cases in which problems in regards to the provenance of artefacts comes into question and that museums still accept black market antiquities, but
that is for another time. For now think about Cultural Property and which approach you think is best. As historians we should respect these artefacts which tell us much about the past and that they are an important educational tool. We should endeavour to share stewardship over these Artefacts. More often archaeological sites are destroyed during conflict; artefacts are illegally sold into private collections and hidden away in Museum stores. At the moment I am not sure which side of the fence I fall, I believe that Internationalist sentiments are ideal however they also fuel Retentionist practises as much as they seek to extinguish them. I also believe in the fluidity of artefacts for educational purposes if there can be an effective way of managing it. What I think we can all agree on is that historical artefacts are important to all of us who wish to learn from them and cherish them as treasures of past cultures, histories and peoples and we should mourn the many artefacts that are destroyed and looted on a daily basis in the midst of fighting and conflict. Sam Aylett BA(Hons) Postgraduate History Student
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East India Expansion T
he British are well known for taking over vast parts of the world, what they called expanding and colonising. After defeating the Spanish Armada, and feeling pretty good about themselves, the British decided to enter the Indian Ocean. It also wasn’t until the British decided the food was too bland, clothes were too itchy, a new beverage was needed that they stumbled upon spices, silk and tea and entered Asia for trading. The most well-known joint stock trading company was the East India Company. Whilst expanding their empire and hoarding goods they not only treated Indians as inferior creating a Raj, but true to the British, got caught up in battles. Yes, a simple trading company one day, was a fighting navy and ruler of the seas the 9 next. It was the Opium trade
that increased the link between navy and company and of course exemplified the link between trade and war. It was the Battle of Plassey on the river banks of the Bhagirathi River which led to East India Company rule in India. The Nawab of Bengal, that’s a hereditary governor to me and you, and French allies, tried to take Calcutta. However, Britain sent Admiral Charles Watson to recapture it and in a twist the British formed a conspiracy with the Nawab and managed to push the French and Dutch further away from Asia. The East India Company needed to travel efficiently and better than other European powers, so involved themselves in important routes. One was the Suez Canal, which was originally the French and
Egyptian’s, but had to be sold to Disraeli. This created an instant connection between the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans. It was constantly fought over at sea by the Navy of the East India Company. They knew much about Battles at sea, from the days of the English East India Company, in battles of Pulo Aura and Swally. However, we all know how holding on to the Suez Canal and trying to dominate the Ocean would turn out for Britain in 1956. Not good, not good at all. Stephanie Corner Second Year Undergraduate
The Boy in theStriped Pyjamas
B
ased on the novel by John Boyne and directed by Mark Herman, this is a beautiful story of two young boys living in Nazi occupied Poland from two very different experiences. When the father (David Thewlis) of a small family is promoted to Commandant of a concentration camp and relocated from Berlin to Poland, his wife (Vera Farmiga) and two children are completely unaware of the horrors that lie just beyond their garden wall. The youngest child Bruno (Asa Butterfield) had dreams of becoming an explorer, so it is of no surprise that he soon discovers the terrors of the Nazi regime. Yet, due to his innocence he is unaware of what it is that he has come across, instead he believes it to be a ‘farm.’ This story emphasises the naivety of many who were relocated as part of the armed forces, to work and control the concentration camps not just in Poland but Germany as well. Untold by her husband, Bruno’s mother only realises what she has allowed her family
and children to be moved next to when she smells the foul stench of burning flesh from the ‘farms’’ insinuators. Horrified by this she still continues to fuel Bruno’s belief that the camp is indeed a farm. Bruno soon discovers an inmate of the camp, the boy in striped pyjamas, Shmaul who he begins to create a friendship with between the boundaries of the electric fence. This friendship shows that not all the Jewish prejudices and antiSemitic opinions were practiced. Yet it is the lies of his family, and his friendship with this boy that in turn leads to a very sad turn of events for both Bruno and Shamul. Despite being a story of historical fiction there are some truths found within this tale. The fact that many of the inmates were used as servants within the nearby officers’ houses did in fact happen. For example there have been reports of those who were hired to cut the officers’ hair, peel potatoes, clean the silver and so forth. The circumstances in which Bruno’s
family found themselves would also not have been uncommon, many sources suggest that many Germans, even Polish, were unaware of the genocides and tortures that were taking place within these camps partially due to the way in which they were built as factories. That is what the general population believed to be happening and they were too crippled by the fear inflicted upon them by the Nazis that none would question otherwise. Although this is an upsetting tale, it is brilliantly acted, and perfectly directed. Winning British Independent Film Award for Best Actress (Vera Farmiga) Audience Choice Award (Mark Herman) and nominated for British Independent Film Award Best Director ( Mark Herman), and Most Promising Newcomer (Asa Butterfield). I would strongly recommend this film and so give it an 8/10. Laura Marriner Second Year Undergraduate
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Lecturer of the Month
nge Dornan has been teaching at Brunel for the past ten years, during this time she has established the MA in Modern World History and been a vital role in the creation and development of the History Society. As Touch Point Leader and main member of staff who deals with the society, it seemed obvious who I was going to interview first. Inge currently teaches several modules surrounding her field of research and so many History and Politics students will have come into contact with her during their time at Brunel. She studied for her BA at Warwick and then went on to do her PhD and MPhil at Girton College, Cambridge. After she graduated, for a year she worked at Oxford, Warwick and University of East Anglia in which she spent most her time travelling on
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trains before getting a full time position at Brunel in 2002.
A - I think, because it is a very collegiate department and we all get along very well Q - What first brought together. I always feel very you to teaching at Brunel? lucky as well that we get such great students come in every A - When I first year, which makes an enormous came to Brunel in 2002, the difference to the teaching department had created a study experience. So basically the of Gender and the Atlantic teachers and students make the World and I was brought in experience for me. Obviously as an appointment for that. the nature of the department This was one of my first major being quite small makes appointments since graduating everything much more friendly from Cambridge in 2000. The and most of us have been here Department at this point was quite a long time, with only a called Politics, American Studies few new placements who have and History. This placement come in within the last couple of was ideal as it is a key part of my years. research. Q - Why did you initially Q - What is the best part get involved with the History of being part of the Politics and Society? History Department? A - Basically, Dr Kristian Gustafson and I set up the society three years ago. Previously it had been suggested that a society should be set up and after student support and enthusiasm. So Kristian and I were appointed to be Touch Point Leaders for History and Politics. We thought setting up the societies would be a good idea as it helps to give students a voice, not just in the department but more widely in the university as well. It also helps to forge an identity as historians and politics students and an opportunity to network and meet others socially. The department didn’t really have anything like this before the society was set up. It was important that the students were
Inge Dornan
leading everything and we were in the background helping if necessary. Those involved have also always been so encouraging and enthusiastic. Q - What are your hobbies outside of lecturing? A - I am sing in a folk band, which has no name as we basically just play Irish, American and English folk music in my local area for different folk nights. I also am very involved in taking part in triathlons and marathons and going hill walking. I took part last weekend in the Abingdon marathon and I was in the local newspaper for being the first women’s team over the finish line. I’ve also just joined a new choir at Brunel with the Arts Centre called ‘Brunel Rox’, as I know Rae Evans the leader. Q - What research are you currently working on?
A - I am currently working on a book with the provisional title ‘The Politics of Violence’ which is about women in slavery in colonial South Carolina. Q - Is there an ideal module that you would like to teach? A - Well I think I teach already, as I am very lucky the modules that I find the ideal. We’re very lucky here at Brunel that we are encouraged, certainly at Level 3 to teach a
module that we research on as well. To me the previously Level 3 module which is now at Level 2: ‘Slavery and Abolition in the Atlantic World’ is my ideal module to teach as I really love the entire subject area.
teaching their at this time. So it was really the lecturers who inspired me with their passion on the subject that brought me to where I am today.
Q - What brought you to an interest in slavery?
Second Year Undergraduate
Sara Brimble
A - While studying my BA in Medieval Renaissance History but I really loved the Caribbean History program, I didn’t take it officially but I did sit in on lectures and seminars and loved it and that’s how I ended up eventually taking the route that I did. After taking an elective module in first year on ‘The Race Question’ I was incredibly inspired by lecturer to carry on an take another elective in my second year and Warwick had quite a few slavery scholars
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