Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Fighting To Save A Nation: Volunteerism And London’S Auxiliary Fire Service In The Blitz, Michael Giso

Spring 2015, British Society and Culture

The London Blitz of 1940 is one of the most horrifying events of World War 2. For the first time, citizens were the primary target in an attempt to shock Britain into surrender. The Blitz opened a new chapter in the book of WWII. Hitler wanted to reduce London to a pile of ashes and rubble. To accomplish this feat, the Germans introduced an entirely new air-raid strategy. Guided by a new tracking system, that allowed them to locate London even during government imposed blackouts, the Germans dropped a barrage of incendiary bombs over London. These small, tubular objects would …

The Role Of The Government In The Abdication Crisis Of 1936, Meghan C. Lescault

Spring 2015, British Society and Culture

The death of King George V on 20 January 1936 propelled the British nation into a tumultuous predicament that would threaten the stability of the monarchy and its adherence to tradition. When King Edward VIII ascended the throne, his differences from his paternal predecessor were made manifest in his pursuit to marry a twice-divorced American woman, Wallis Simpson.

This paper examines the National Government’s role in preventing Mrs. Simpson from becoming queen and in facilitating the abdication of King Edward. The Government had been predisposed to disfavoring the king and viewed his marriage plan as an extension of his disregard …

France And The Community Of Six: The Schuman Declaration To The Treaties Of Rome, Daniel Gagnon

Undergraduate Craft of Research Prize Papers

This paper investigates France’s role during the first decade of European integration, and in particular the initiatives of Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman which led to the creation of the European Communities. Monnet and Schuman began the modern process of uniting Europe with the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, but the process of integration faced its strongest opposition within France itself and the movement had its first setback in 1954 when the French National Assembly rejected the proposed European Defense Community. Nevertheless, European integration continued, and after the subsequent French election, France rebuilt momentum for further European …

The Late Works Of Dame Ethel Smyth: A Musical Microcosm Of Interwar British Culture, Emily Morin

Spring 2015, British Society and Culture

This paper examines the late musical compositions of Dame Ethel Smyth in the context of British society and culture between the two World Wars. It focuses on Smyth's large-scale works, especially her operas The Boatswain's Mate (1914) and Entente Cordiale (1923-1924) and her oratorio The Prison (1930). Using these works as examples of the composer's mature style, I draw attention to a number of Smyth's original artistic choices as well as her sophisticated use of social commentary. Also considered in this research are certain anticipated roles for women as composers at the time, Smyth's other passions and pursuits, and her …