The aim of this conference is to examine the manner in which defeat in its military form has been understood and remembered by individuals and societies in the era of modern industrialised warfare.

Defeat and Memory

Location: United Kingdom
Call for Papers Deadline: 2004-07-10
Date Submitted: 2004-04-16
Announcement ID: 138095

The aim of this conference is to examine the manner in which defeat in its
military form has been understood and remembered by individuals and
societies in the era of modern industrialised warfare.

In exploring the way that the experience and memory of defeat affect
societies, this conference will focus on the 19th and 20th century, although
proposals referring to earlier periods will be considered. The themes of the
conference might include:

* classical and literary inspirations in time of defeat
* heroic defeats and national pride
* notions of heroism and masculinity
* scapegoats and the quest for revenge
* collaboration and resistance
* silence and denial as a personal or national response
* the experience of imprisonment or demobilisation
* the impact of occupation
* the cultural implications of peace settlements and post-war tribunals
* reform and revolution
* defeat as a spur to decolonisation or a changing world role

The conference will be held on 8 and 9 September 2005 at the University of
Edinburgh. Proposals should be no longer than 500 words and should be
forwarded to Dr Jenny Macleod (via email or the address below) by 10 July
2004. It is anticipated that the papers presented at the conference will be
published as a collected volume.