Warfare in World History

Warfare in World History provides a succinct, comprehensive overview of how warfare has developed from ancient times to the present day and the instrumental role it has played in shaping the world as we know it.

Warfare in World History provides a succinct, comprehensive overview of how warfare has developed from ancient times to the present day and the instrumental role it has played in shaping the world as we know it. This volume covers major periods of military history, including the emergence of the first armies in the Bronze Age; distinct military traditions of various civilizations during the Middle Ages; the development of gunpowder weapons and their rapid adoption in Europe and the Middle East; the French Revolution and the industrialization of warfare; the colonial expansion of European powers, and the resistance of indigenous peoples; and the World Wars, the Cold War, and the wars of liberation across the Gobal South. It explores each era's new technological advances and the unique social, political, and cultural development in which wars were fought. With in-depth examples, this volume focuses not only on famous and heroic figures but also discusses the experiences of millions of unknown people who have fought in wars over time. Now fully up to date in this second edition, the book includes a new chapter on the post-2000 period—from the War on Terror to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It examines the emergence of global terrorist organizations, hybrid threats, and non-state actors; the re-emergence of mass conscripted armies; the rise of cyberspace as a new domain of warfare; and the role of autonomous weapon systems in changing the character of war. This edition also boasts more coverage of non-western powers with fully updated references and recommended readings. This book will be of interest to students of world history, military history, and international relations.