Peter C. Caldwell (Rice University) reviews Mark Jones Founding Weimar (Cambridge, 2016) for Cent... more Peter C. Caldwell (Rice University) reviews Mark Jones Founding Weimar (Cambridge, 2016) for Central European History.
There are two approaches to writing a significant history book. One is 'going big' and covering t... more There are two approaches to writing a significant history book. One is 'going big' and covering the broadest range of historical phenomena within a large geographical space during a wide time span. This approach makes use of vast and variegated historical bibliographies and well-selected primary sources. The result is an all-encompassing interpretation that helps to make sense of the chaotic matter of history. The other approach to writing a major contribution to historiography implies delving into the details instead: applying a microscope onto a few important historical events that took place in circumscribed time-spaces; gathering and closely analysing a great amount of empirical material that allows the researcher to provide a nuanced description of such events. This method has the ability to transform our understanding of history just as it can uncover previously unperceived factors that contributed to pushing historical events towards a specific direction. Mark Jones' book is a clear example of this second model of history writing, and there are reasons to believe that it will be regarded as a turning point in the way in which historians explain post-First World War revolutionary processes and political violence in the European continent. The German revolution of 1918–19 was one of the defining episodes of the 20th century. It was not only the outcome of a country's defeat in the greatest war that humanity had ever witnessed, but also the result of the efforts of important social and political forces that had long strived for democracy, liberty, and social equality. Within a few weeks after the German military leaders (who felt unable to win the war) had started to negotiate an armistice with the allies, a set of revolutionary protests and movements composed mainly of
The German Revolution of 1918-19 was a transformative moment of modern European history. It was b... more The German Revolution of 1918-19 was a transformative moment of modern European history. It was both the end of the German Empire and the First World War, as well as the birth of the Weimar Republic, the short-lived democracy that preceded the establishment of the Nazi dictatorship. A time of great political drama, the revolution saw unprecedented levels of mass mobilisation and political violence, including the 'Spartacist Uprising' of January 1919, the murders of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, and the violent suppression of strikes and the Munich Councils' Republic. Drawing upon the historiography of the French Revolution, Founding Weimar is the first study to place crowds and the politics of the streets at the heart of the revolution's history. Carefully argued and meticulously researched, it will appeal to anyone with an interest in the relationship between violence, revolution, and state-formation, as well as in the history of modern Germany.
Resumen Este artículo examina el papel de la violencia en la revolución alemana de 1918-1919, que... more Resumen Este artículo examina el papel de la violencia en la revolución alemana de 1918-1919, que siguió a la derrota del país en la Primera Guerra Mundial. Se demuestra que el brutal uso de la violencia por parte del nuevo gobierno socialdemócrata para aplacar a la izquierda supuso un punto de inflexión en la historia de la violencia del estado alemán, y se argumenta que el periodo entre noviembre de 1918 y mediados de enero de 1919 se caracterizó por las persistencia de mentalidades bélicas sobre las que se basó el extendido recurso a la violencia. No obstante, La violencia gubernamental, más que entenderse como simple producto de continuidades en las prácticas violentas proce-dentes de la guerra, tuvo la importante función: demostrar e imponer la autoridad del nuevo estado emergente. Abstract This article examines the role of violence in the German revolution of 1918-1919, after the defeat of Germany in the First World War. It demonstrates that the brutal violence employed by the new social democratic government against the revolutionary left was a turning point in the history of the German state. The period between November 1918 and mid-January 1919 was marked by the persistence of war mentalities that allowed for the use of violence in politics. However, government violence was not only a simple product of the war experience. It had a performative role: demonstrating and reinforcing the authority of the new state.
All are welcome to attend this event. However, as spaces are limited to avoid disappointment plea... more All are welcome to attend this event. However, as spaces are limited to avoid disappointment please register with mark.jones@ucd.ie
There will be a small charge to cover the cost of refreshments.
This essay reinserts the revolutionary crowds of November 1918 to their rightful place at the hea... more This essay reinserts the revolutionary crowds of November 1918 to their rightful place at the heart of historical analysis of the opening act of the German Revolution of 1918-19.
Mark Jones’s chapter upon Political Violence in Italy and Germany after the First World War combi... more Mark Jones’s chapter upon Political Violence in Italy and Germany after the First World War combines the classic methodology of comparative history with the more recent insights offered by the transnational approach. It accounts for the dynamics of postwar political violence in Italy and Germany, two of the most crucial arenas for the survival of interwar European democracy. The result is an important contribution to the history of political violence in the European postwar that shows how the relationship between violence, politics and cultural demobilization evolved in the years immediately following the First World War.
This volume presents research arising from the International Society for First World War Studies ... more This volume presents research arising from the International Society for First World War Studies fifth annual conference in London. My essay traces the relationship between the German naval experience of war, revolution, and defeat; and the emergence of the 'Organisation Consul', Germany's first right wing underground terrorist organisation, later responsible for the murders of Matthias Erzberger and Walter Rathenau.
Newstalk FM is an Irish National Radio Station. Other panel members included Michael Epkenhans an... more Newstalk FM is an Irish National Radio Station. Other panel members included Michael Epkenhans and Sir Hew Strachan.
Peter C. Caldwell (Rice University) reviews Mark Jones Founding Weimar (Cambridge, 2016) for Cent... more Peter C. Caldwell (Rice University) reviews Mark Jones Founding Weimar (Cambridge, 2016) for Central European History.
There are two approaches to writing a significant history book. One is 'going big' and covering t... more There are two approaches to writing a significant history book. One is 'going big' and covering the broadest range of historical phenomena within a large geographical space during a wide time span. This approach makes use of vast and variegated historical bibliographies and well-selected primary sources. The result is an all-encompassing interpretation that helps to make sense of the chaotic matter of history. The other approach to writing a major contribution to historiography implies delving into the details instead: applying a microscope onto a few important historical events that took place in circumscribed time-spaces; gathering and closely analysing a great amount of empirical material that allows the researcher to provide a nuanced description of such events. This method has the ability to transform our understanding of history just as it can uncover previously unperceived factors that contributed to pushing historical events towards a specific direction. Mark Jones' book is a clear example of this second model of history writing, and there are reasons to believe that it will be regarded as a turning point in the way in which historians explain post-First World War revolutionary processes and political violence in the European continent. The German revolution of 1918–19 was one of the defining episodes of the 20th century. It was not only the outcome of a country's defeat in the greatest war that humanity had ever witnessed, but also the result of the efforts of important social and political forces that had long strived for democracy, liberty, and social equality. Within a few weeks after the German military leaders (who felt unable to win the war) had started to negotiate an armistice with the allies, a set of revolutionary protests and movements composed mainly of
The German Revolution of 1918-19 was a transformative moment of modern European history. It was b... more The German Revolution of 1918-19 was a transformative moment of modern European history. It was both the end of the German Empire and the First World War, as well as the birth of the Weimar Republic, the short-lived democracy that preceded the establishment of the Nazi dictatorship. A time of great political drama, the revolution saw unprecedented levels of mass mobilisation and political violence, including the 'Spartacist Uprising' of January 1919, the murders of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, and the violent suppression of strikes and the Munich Councils' Republic. Drawing upon the historiography of the French Revolution, Founding Weimar is the first study to place crowds and the politics of the streets at the heart of the revolution's history. Carefully argued and meticulously researched, it will appeal to anyone with an interest in the relationship between violence, revolution, and state-formation, as well as in the history of modern Germany.
Resumen Este artículo examina el papel de la violencia en la revolución alemana de 1918-1919, que... more Resumen Este artículo examina el papel de la violencia en la revolución alemana de 1918-1919, que siguió a la derrota del país en la Primera Guerra Mundial. Se demuestra que el brutal uso de la violencia por parte del nuevo gobierno socialdemócrata para aplacar a la izquierda supuso un punto de inflexión en la historia de la violencia del estado alemán, y se argumenta que el periodo entre noviembre de 1918 y mediados de enero de 1919 se caracterizó por las persistencia de mentalidades bélicas sobre las que se basó el extendido recurso a la violencia. No obstante, La violencia gubernamental, más que entenderse como simple producto de continuidades en las prácticas violentas proce-dentes de la guerra, tuvo la importante función: demostrar e imponer la autoridad del nuevo estado emergente. Abstract This article examines the role of violence in the German revolution of 1918-1919, after the defeat of Germany in the First World War. It demonstrates that the brutal violence employed by the new social democratic government against the revolutionary left was a turning point in the history of the German state. The period between November 1918 and mid-January 1919 was marked by the persistence of war mentalities that allowed for the use of violence in politics. However, government violence was not only a simple product of the war experience. It had a performative role: demonstrating and reinforcing the authority of the new state.
All are welcome to attend this event. However, as spaces are limited to avoid disappointment plea... more All are welcome to attend this event. However, as spaces are limited to avoid disappointment please register with mark.jones@ucd.ie
There will be a small charge to cover the cost of refreshments.
This essay reinserts the revolutionary crowds of November 1918 to their rightful place at the hea... more This essay reinserts the revolutionary crowds of November 1918 to their rightful place at the heart of historical analysis of the opening act of the German Revolution of 1918-19.
Mark Jones’s chapter upon Political Violence in Italy and Germany after the First World War combi... more Mark Jones’s chapter upon Political Violence in Italy and Germany after the First World War combines the classic methodology of comparative history with the more recent insights offered by the transnational approach. It accounts for the dynamics of postwar political violence in Italy and Germany, two of the most crucial arenas for the survival of interwar European democracy. The result is an important contribution to the history of political violence in the European postwar that shows how the relationship between violence, politics and cultural demobilization evolved in the years immediately following the First World War.
This volume presents research arising from the International Society for First World War Studies ... more This volume presents research arising from the International Society for First World War Studies fifth annual conference in London. My essay traces the relationship between the German naval experience of war, revolution, and defeat; and the emergence of the 'Organisation Consul', Germany's first right wing underground terrorist organisation, later responsible for the murders of Matthias Erzberger and Walter Rathenau.
Newstalk FM is an Irish National Radio Station. Other panel members included Michael Epkenhans an... more Newstalk FM is an Irish National Radio Station. Other panel members included Michael Epkenhans and Sir Hew Strachan.
Newstalk FM is an Irish National radio station. Other panel members included John Horne and Alan ... more Newstalk FM is an Irish National radio station. Other panel members included John Horne and Alan Kramer.
Bulletin of the German Historical Institute Washington, 2019
Since the year 2019 marks the centenary of the founding of the
Weimar Republic, we decided to off... more Since the year 2019 marks the centenary of the founding of the Weimar Republic, we decided to offer readers of the Bulletin a thematic Forum on the history of the Weimar Republic. We present scholarly essays, commissioned for this issue, from the five historians who participated in the German Historical Institute’s Spring 2019 lecture series, “The Weimar Republic Reconsidered,” — Kathleen Canning, Mark Jones, Laurie Marhoefer, Molly Loberg and Tim Müller — as well as from one of our visiting research fellows, James McSpadden. At the current political moment we thought that the history of the Weimar Republic would be of interest to many readers eager to learn more about the challenges and struggles of a fragile democracy. At the same time, we assembled a diverse set of essays that focus not only on the Republic’s collapse, but also on its formative phase, especially the revolution of 1918/19, and that are attentive to the role of contingency in the Republic’s history and demise. Please turn to the Forum’s introductory essay for an introduction to the individual essays and their historiographical context.
Uploads
Books by Dr Mark Jones
The full review is available at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/central-european-history/article/founding-weimar-violence-and-the-german-revolution-of-19181919-by-mark-jones-new-york-cambridge-university-press-2016-pp-xiv-380-cloth-9999-isbn-9781316335628/85822BAA603110CFC3AC1EC879828026
Papers by Dr Mark Jones
There will be a small charge to cover the cost of refreshments.
Media by Dr Mark Jones
I was a panel member on the BBC Radio 4 programme In Our Time (2.5 million radio listeners). Broadcast live on 13 April 2017.
The full review is available at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/central-european-history/article/founding-weimar-violence-and-the-german-revolution-of-19181919-by-mark-jones-new-york-cambridge-university-press-2016-pp-xiv-380-cloth-9999-isbn-9781316335628/85822BAA603110CFC3AC1EC879828026
There will be a small charge to cover the cost of refreshments.
I was a panel member on the BBC Radio 4 programme In Our Time (2.5 million radio listeners). Broadcast live on 13 April 2017.
Weimar Republic, we decided to offer readers of the Bulletin a
thematic Forum on the history of the Weimar Republic. We present
scholarly essays, commissioned for this issue, from the five
historians who participated in the German Historical Institute’s
Spring 2019 lecture series, “The Weimar Republic Reconsidered,” —
Kathleen Canning, Mark Jones, Laurie Marhoefer, Molly Loberg and
Tim Müller — as well as from one of our visiting research fellows,
James McSpadden. At the current political moment we thought that
the history of the Weimar Republic would be of interest to many
readers eager to learn more about the challenges and struggles of a
fragile democracy. At the same time, we assembled a diverse set of
essays that focus not only on the Republic’s collapse, but also on
its formative phase, especially the revolution of 1918/19, and that
are attentive to the role of contingency in the Republic’s history
and demise. Please turn to the Forum’s introductory essay for an
introduction to the individual essays and their historiographical
context.