Seminar: Military Revolutions. Genese und Bedeutung eines Forschungsansatzes

Präsenzveranstaltung

Donnerstags: 17.15-18.45 Uhr

Raum: Weinholdbau

Dozent: Prof. Dr. Martin Clauss 

Module (Europ. Geschichte): PM 4, SM 2.1, SM 2.2

Stud.-Gruppen: wo: B_EG__2, B_EG__4, B_EG__6, B_Ge__2, B_Ge__4, B_Ge__6, B_Po__2, B_Po__4, B_Po_6, M_EG_2, M_EG_4 fak: SGPhilSS, SGSS

In Wikipedia wird 'Military Revolution' wie folgt beschrieben: "The Military Revolution is the theory that a series of radical changes in military strategy and tactics during the 16th and 17th centuries resulted in major lasting changes in governments and society. The theory was introduced by Michael Roberts in the 1950s as he focused on Sweden (1560–1660) searching for major changes in the European way of war caused by the introduction of portable firearms. Roberts linked military technology with larger historical consequences, arguing that innovations in tactics, drill and doctrine by the Dutch and Swedes (1560–1660), which maximized the utility of firearms, led to a need for more trained troops and thus for permanent forces (standing armies). Armies grew much larger and more expensive. These changes in turn had major political consequences in the level of administrative support and the supply of money, men and provisions, producing new financial demands and the creation of new governmental institutions. "Thus, argued Roberts, the modern art of war made possible—and necessary—the creation of the modern state" (Black, Jeremy (2008), "Was There a Military Revolution in Early Modern Europe?", History Today, 58 (7): 34–41).

Im Seminar werden wir gemeinsam verschiedene Aspekte des Forschungsansatz, seine Genese, seine Weiterentwicklung und die an ihm geübte Kritik diskutieren. Dabei wird es unter anderem um die Frage gehen, warum dieser Ansatz so erfolgreich war und ist und auf welche Zeiten und Räume er sich sinnvoll übertragen lässt.

Das Seminar beruht auf der regelmäßigen vorbereitenden Lektüre diverser Forschungstexte in englischer Sprache und ihrer gemeinsamen Diskussion.

Vorbereitende Literatur:

Black, Jeremy (2008), "Was There a Military Revolution in Early Modern Europe?", History Today, 58 (7): 34–41

OPAL-Kurs: https://bildungsportal.sachsen.de/opal/auth/RepositoryEntry/51715604483?6

Anmeldung über OPAL bis 8. April 2026