History reading thesis's

Engerman

argues that ideology played a central, though evolving, role in shaping the origins and development of the Cold War. Far from a static belief system, ideology was a dynamic force that influenced Soviet and American perceptions, policymaking, and global behavior from 1917 through the early 1960s

Manning & Wemheuer

argues that the Great Leap Forward famine must be understood not only as a result of flawed state policy and authoritarian governance, but also through local dynamics, social structures, and individual agency. They reframe the famine as a complex, multifaceted historical event using new sources and perspectives

Schwarz

argues that Germany’s division between 1945 and 1949 was not inevitable but resulted from growing mistrust and clashing strategic aims between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. The establishment of two German states reflected the broader collapse of the wartime alliance and the entrenchment of Cold War divisions in Europe.

Gorsuch

argues that Soviet engagement with Cuba in the 1960s was driven not just by geopolitics but by a romanticized cultural and emotional fascination. This "romance" with revolutionary Cuba reflected Soviet desires for renewal and authenticity, revealing how ideology, affect, and everyday life intersected in Cold War internationalism.

Gleijeses

argues that Cuba’s involvement in Africa from 1959 to 1976 was driven primarily by revolutionary internationalism rather than Soviet geopolitical strategy. He emphasizes Cuba’s independent agency and ideological commitment to anti-imperialist solidarity, challenging narratives that portray it as merely a Soviet proxy.

Bradley

argues that decolonization and the rise of the Global South were central to shaping the Cold War world order. Anti-colonial struggles and postcolonial state-building significantly influenced superpower strategies and ideological contests, positioning the Global South as a driving force rather than a passive backdrop in Cold War history.

Holloway

Argues that nuclear weapons fundamentally reshaped the Cold War by influencing not just deterrence but diplomacy, military planning, and perceptions of threat from 1945 to 1962. He emphasizes that the atomic age escalated tensions while also encouraging caution, culminating in moments like the Cuban Missile Crisis which spurred arms control.

Louis and Shlaim

Argue that the 1967 Arab-Israeli War was a turning point shaped by regional tensions, Cold War rivalries, and misperceptions. They call for a multi-perspective view that connects local dynamics—such as Arab nationalism and the unresolved Palestinian issue—with global power politics.

Shlaim

Challenges the Israeli narrative that the 1967 war was purely defensive, arguing instead that Israel acted from a mix of security concerns, political pressures, and expansionist ambitions. He presents Israeli leadership as strategically calculating and highlights the long-term consequences of territorial occupation.

Gause III

Argues that the Iran–Iraq War stemmed not from ancient rivalries but from the geopolitical disruption caused by Iran’s 1979 revolution. Iraq saw revolutionary Iran as a direct threat to regional power, leading to war influenced by Cold War geopolitics and superpower involvement.

McCann

Argues that Kenyan trade unionism was a central force in decolonization and became entangled in Cold War politics. He shows how labor activism reflected both local demands and global ideological battles, especially as the U.S. and USSR sought influence over postcolonial African states.

O’Malley

Argues that India played a pivotal role in confronting apartheid at the UN from 1946 to 1962. By linking anti-colonialism with racial justice, India helped redefine the UN’s stance on human rights, despite Western reluctance, and positioned itself as a leader of the Global South.