In 500 BC, in a relatively obscure kingdom in Italy, a noblewoman was raped by the son of the king. 2,200 years later, the American Constitution was enshrined into law after the success of the American Revolution. If you believe in the butterfly effect, you may think that the latter might have never happened without […]
The Manchester Historian is the University of Manchester History Department’s magazine, established and produced by students for students. The magazine provides a range of exciting opportunities for students interested in journalism, marketing, advertising, or just with a passion for writing. We aim to produce publications that broaden readers’ historical knowledge and interest. We are always […]
Carolyn Merchant’s book The Death of Nature, published in 1980, chronicles her groundbreaking theories surrounding the historiographies of the Scientific Revolution and how the changing rhetoric of science contributed to both the destruction of nature and the oppression of women. This related to a new strand of feminism called ecofeminism coined by French feminist Françoise […]
In February 1952, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne at the youthful age of twenty-five, becoming a historic moment that captured the hearts and minds of the nation. Her reign is bejewelled with monumental records and achievements, beginning with her coronation’s televised broadcast to the general public and including her most recent accomplishment of […]
The Mongol Empire was one of the largest empires in the history of the world, covering a massive nine million square miles at its greatest extent; approximately a quarter of the world’s population were under Mongol rule. One man in particular is credited with this awesome feat of conquest: Genghis Khan. Born Temujin in around […]
In the 1960s the jet set took rock and roll global. The ultimate fashion icons, the media mob were fascinated by the ease with which they hopped from one paradise to the next. Alice Rigby looks at this travel elite, exploring their cultish celebrity status. From The African Queen to Roman Holiday, and from The […]
Having just finished my own MA History Degree at the University of Manchester the Historian asked me to write a short piece reflecting on the year. I thought that firstly it would be useful to outline my motivation for staying on for the year after completing my undergrad years in Manchester. Over the year I […]
This article will argue that although there were many reasons for the Iranian Revolution, the main cause was fundamentally Shi’ite religion and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini in sustaining and succeeding with the revolution. There are other causes to consider when analysing the revolution. By the late 1970s, monarchies were fading around Europe and the […]
We are excited to announce that the 37th issue ‘Oppression and Resistance’ is now online! A huge thank you to everyone who has worked on this issue! In 1948, the MV Empire Windrush docked in London carrying around five-hundred passengers from the West Indies. They were called to England as the first-wave in Britain’s drive […]
“Reality is as thin as paper, and betrays with all its cracks its imitative character. A hundred times I had to try and test its taut skin with my hands, and had found it hopelessly botched.” These are the words of Jewish Galician writer Bruno Schulz, a globally relevant artist and painter, particularly recognised among […]
“Winner writes history”. This simple phrase simplifies the complex narrative of history, particularly in the context of conflict. Today, it would take only a cursory search online to find examples of ‘losers.’ Why does this age-old saying persist? As is evident by the qualifying terms of ‘winner’ and ‘loser,’ history is entirely biased no matter […]
In reading George Mosse’s historical tracing of manliness, one gets the impression of an author who appears omniscient of masculinity’s insidiousness and is also personally encumbered by the subject matter at hand. Oppressed both by totalitarianism and, as a gay man, it is no wonder that he has a keen eye for the inner workings […]
Welcome to this year’s first issue of the Manchester Historian. Ata and I are really excited to take over as editors. Florence and her team last year got the paper off to an incredible start. I was so impressed when I heard that Price Waterhouse Cooper had shortlisted the paper award. So, we’ve got really […]
‘A bagel creation that would have my parents turning over in their graves is the oat-bran bagel with blueberries and strawberries. It’s an ill conceived bagel form if there ever was one.’ Ed Levine, New York Eats. The term ‘Americanisation’ is thrown around in historical writings like a Jewish groom during Hava Nagila. However, the […]