European History Research Articles

Leveraging ancient DNA to uncover signals of natural selection in Europe lost due to admixture or drift.

Large ancient DNA (aDNA) studies offer the chance to examine genomic changes over time, providing direct insights into human evolution. While recent studies have used time-stratified aDNA for selection scans, most focus on single-locus methods. We conducted a multi-locus genotype scan on 708 samples spanning 7000 years of European history. We show that the G12 statistic, originally designed for unphased diploid data, can effectively detect selection in aDNA processed to create 'pseudo-haplotypes'. In simulations and at known positive control loci (e.g., lactase persistence), G12 outperforms the allele frequency-based selection statistic, SweepFinder2, previously used on aDNA. Applying our approach, we identified 14 candidate regions of selection across four time periods, with half the signals detectable only in the earliest period. Our findings suggest that selective events in European prehistory, including from the onset of animal domestication, have been obscured by neutral processes like genetic drift and demographic shifts such as admixture.

Welfare ruination, debris and Europeans’ make-shift practices: A research agenda

The mainstream literature on welfare retrenchment, austerity and post-welfare states proposes that since the mid 1970s, welfare states are in a state of ‘permanent austerity’. To offer an alternative to such stories of loss and their problematic nostalgic retelling of recent European history, leaving out its imperial histories, this article proposes to look instead at welfare as the object of ruination. This approach builds on literatures that focus on the experience of austerity and institutional violence to take a step further towards everyday responsive practices. Building on the work of Ann Laura Stoler, studying ruination and debris opens up the possibility to look at (1) the long durée of the colonial heritage of welfare, (2) ruination as an active and violent process and (3) welfare debris and how European dwellers use it and live in it. For Europeans, living amidst ruins and in a time of ruination, then, the question is: how can they build a life with the welfare debris that they are left with? Who is able to navigate the ruins and who is not? For researchers, this perspective can inform a new research agenda: a redirection of attention from welfare as ‘organized provision’ to, instead, how people organize the provisional, improvising with the rubble that remains.

Wandalowie w Hiszpanii i Rzymie, czyli Macieja z Miechowa (1457–1523) metoda badania dziejów

In the article Robert K. Zawadzki examines the representation of the Vandals in the historical work entitled Chronica Polonorum of Maciej of Miechów. This race who settled on the south coast of the Baltic Sea provided fertile ground for the Polish writer to articulate his ideas about the origins of the Polish nation. By examining these historical tales, the author shows how the author constructed an image of journeys of the great nation in keeping with the patriotic and moralistic goals and context of his own work, while individually creating a vision of Poles as Vandals who occupied Transdanubian Pannonia, attacked the Roman provinces, devastated wide areas of Gaul, crossed into Spain, moved into North Africa and captured Rome. This combination of such historical narrative material aims to highlight both the splendor of ancient Polish history and the fundamental unity of the Polish and European history.

Russian philosophy of law and the historical tasks of Russia: to the publication of the monograph of corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences A.N. Savenkov “Philosophy of law and the formation of the Russian state-civilization”

The article is devoted to the publication of a monograph by Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences A. N. Savenkov “Philosophy of Law and the formation of the Russian state-civilization”. In the Russian scientific literature, this is the first study where an attempt is made to show national legal consciousness (in the form of philosophy of law) and Russian statehood as a single inseparable synthesis, as an organic spiritual and practical integrity. The main feature of the book is the consideration of the Russian Philosophy of Law as a phenomenon of national legal consciousness, as the spiritual core of Russian statehood. The monograph shows a wide panorama of Russian and European history, the struggle and the interaction of ideas, values, concepts and schools. The article reveals the author’s approaches concerning the formation of the ideology of the modern Russian state based on the ideological heritage of the Russian Philosophy of Law.

A Langur from Sumatra

Abstract Researchers interested in the colonial provenance of European natural history collections find themselves currently in an ambiguous position. On one hand, there is a fast-growing amount of digital services that provide them with statistics, names and lists of objects that have been accumulated in former colonial areas and are now stored in natural history museums in the Global North. On the other hand, these digital collection services fail to provide researchers with archival information on historical collection contexts, local names and meanings of animals and plants, and the labour, knowledges, colonial infrastructure and (epistemic) violence that were necessary to move tens of millions of natural objects across the globe. By zooming in on the digital representation of a black-crested Sumatran langur collected on the island of Sumatra (Indonesia) in the 1830s, this short paper reflects on the impact of these data absences on the further development of large-scale data infrastructures in the field. Inspired by earlier problematization of the digital turn in collection-based biodiversity sciences, this paper argues for the more sustained use of archival evidence so as to rethink what it means to infrastructure ‘biodiversity heritage’ collections in a digital age.

Enhancing Reusability Practices in Massive Online Open Courses

Over the past decade, the emergence of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) has profoundly transformed the distance learning landscape, capturing the attention of both higher education and professional institutions. This surge of interest has not only spurred the development of innovative teaching and learning methods but has also led to a re-evaluation of content production and reuse strategies. In fact, when producing MOOCs, multiple resources and efforts are dedicated to creating a considerable amount of learning material. This is often housed within the learning environment, which serves as a sort of repository and it is accessible by learners throughout the course. However, due to a lack of management support or internal organisational structure, the use of this material sometimes remains limited to the existence of the MOOC, causing it not to be actively employed and exploited after the course has ended. Lately, issues regarding MOOCs’ content management have raised critical questions about the long-term sustainability, reusability and management of the created online learning material even after the end of the online course. By using as a case study the three interlinked MOOCs on European History, Law and Governance developed in the framework of the KU Leuven programme in European Studies and the effort invested in both the planning and afterlife of the MOOC, this paper provides an overview of the formulas adopted to enhance learning content reusability. Drawing from KU Leuven’s extensive experience in creating humanities-focused MOOCs, this collection of interconnected online courses represents a novel attempt at offering a series of educational courses that are designed to complement each other not only in terms of content but also in terms of content management. Also, by contributing to the discussion on MOOCs' reusability this paper intends to emphasise the importance of establishing clear guidelines to enhance educational content reuse, ultimately contributing to the long-term educational value of MOOCs.

How to Live as a Refugee? Anchoring of the Ukrainian Female Refugees in the Labour Market through Activities of State Institutions and Non-formal Organisations in the Case Study of Krakow

Russia’s aggression in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, has marked a new chapter in European history, generating masses of war refugees who sought refuge in many countries and in large numbers, including Poland. In this article, we analyse the assistance and support provided to Ukrainian women refugees in the city of Krakow, with focus on the labour market integration. The data consists of 19 expert interviews with the representatives of the organisations and institutions, as well as researchers in the migration field. We start with analysing the immediate state response at the national policy level, which created a legal framework allowing refugees, among others, fast entrance to the labour market and to set up businesses. Then, we examine how the responses of public institutions were accompanied by enormous grassroot mobilisation of support provided to Ukrainian refugees in Krakow. As we argue, integration into the labour market is critical for integration, but currently lack of evaluation of policy solutions and informalisation of the labour market may result in the reproduction of vulnerability of female refugees.

Imagining rural landscapes: Making sense of a contemporary landscape identity complex in the Netherlands

Periods of accelerated societal change in European history have disrupted gradual alteration in the landscape, creating breaks with the past. This has led to, what we refer to as, the contemporary landscape identity complex in the Netherlands. Composed of dissonant narratives surrounding the landscape that play out on the societal level, the contemporary landscape identity complex may create tensions that can obstruct conservation efforts. In this article, we map out this complex. Three narrative clusters, distilled from literature and supplemented by interviews, aid in understanding the tension regarding the future of the Dutch contemporary rural landscape, namely: ‘the utilitarian narrative’, ‘the romantic narrative’, and ‘the eco-scientific narrative’. The contemporary landscape identity complex is fed by these narratives, specifically through how rural landscapes are imagined and discussed, as opposed to how they are lived and acted upon. The way such narratives play out in practice is further investigated through a case study on the ‘Bommelerwaard’, an area in the south-central of the Netherlands. From our results, we propose a pathway to reconcile the contemporary landscape identity complex towards a landscape conservation ethic that allows for a co-existence of a diversity of images and ideas about (semi-) natural landscapes.

Civilian Internment During the First World War: A European and Global History, 1914–1920

Civilian Internment During the First World War: A European and Global History, 1914–1920

Награды Прусского королевства и Германской империи в государственно-правовом статусе российской правящей династии в XVIII — начале XX вв.

The article explores the place of awards and insignia of the Prussian Kingdom and the German Empire in the state and legal status of the ruling Russian imperial family in the XVIII — early XX centuries. In addition, attention is paid to the domestic and Western European history of foreign policy.

1908 Annexation of Bosnia in the Serbian Press

This study delves into the Serbian press's role during the Bosnian annexation crisis in 1908, a pivotal episode in Balkan and European history. Following the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin (1878), Austria-Hungary's occupation of the Bosna Vilayet and subsequent administrative control set the stage for a protracted legal and political conflict. The crisis reached its zenith in the autumn of 1908 when Austria-Hungary unilaterally annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), provoking a formidable reaction across Europe particularly in Belgrade. Serbia, perceiving BiH as a historic territory of paramount significance, emerged as one of the staunchest opponents of Vienna's actions. This resistance was fervently articulated in the Serbian press from August 1908 to March 1909, with leading newspapers such as Politika, Mali Žurnal, Pravda, and Carigradski Glasnik playing a central role in shaping public sentiment. This study aims to analyze the impact of the Serbian press on national opinion during the annexation crisis, examining the portrayal of domestic and international news, the coverage of protests and demonstrations in Belgrade and other Serbian cities, the movements of Chetnik detachments, mobilization announcements, and political statements. By scrutinizing these elements, the research seeks to illuminate the state of Serbian public opinion at the close of 1908 and throughout 1909 and assess the significance of the annexation for Serbian politics and national identity. The findings reveal that the Serbian press exerted substantial influence, inciting vigorous public reactions, sharp protests, and demands for military engagement.

»Meine furchtbaren Träume / habe ich erlebt!«

Abstract This article focuses on Paula Ludwig’s dream texts (›Traumtexte‹) and her dream conception. Fundamental to understand her concept of dreams is her stay in Munich, where she encountered numerous intellectuals and lovers of culture, including Grete Weisberger and Karl Wolfskehl. It is likely in this context that she came into contact with Ludwig Klages’ dream theories, which have left clear traces in the paratexts of her dream collections. However the development of National Socialism and the outbreak of the Second World War soon disrupted European and world history, which was reflected in Paula Ludwig’s life and work. Accordingly, the article aims to shed light on the incursion of history into Paula Ludwig’s dream world, using a philological and hermeneutic method that also considers biographical, historical and cultural aspects.

The influence of the Avar Khanate on the ethno-political situation in South-Eastern Europe

This article provides an in-depth examination of the ethno-political impact of the Avar Khanate in Southeast Europe from the 7th to the 10th centuries. The Avars, through their military prowess and strategic settlement practices, brought about significant changes in the political and cultural landscape of the region. Their influence extended beyond warfare, as they played a crucial role in reshaping the ethnic composition and political equilibrium of Southeast Europe. The article delves into various aspects of Avar life, including their war economy, settlements, and agricultural and craft activities, highlighting how these factors influenced neighboring peoples and cultures. The Avars' interactions with the Byzantine Empire and other neighboring entities are also explored, emphasizing their role in shaping the region's long-term historical trajectory. By analyzing these multifaceted influences, the study provides valuable insights into the ethno-political legacy of the Avar Khanate, offering a nuanced understanding of their lasting impact on the region. The research underscores the importance of the Avars in the broader context of Southeast European history, contributing to a deeper comprehension of the historical forces that have shaped the region's development over the centuries. This comprehensive analysis not only enhances our knowledge of the Avar Khanate but also sheds light on the broader ethno-political processes at play during this critical period in Southeast European history.

Linguistic discussions of Urdu Language

The beginning and evolution of Urdu language is a controversial issue in our country. The research and editing of linguists regarding the early characteristics of Urdu language and its development is still going on. First, European historians researched and edited linguistics and presented their ideas. These theories were an early reference, hence their importance to Islam. Subsequent researchers and linguists carried on the same work. The beginning of the twentieth century marks the beginning of a vernacular period of linguistic research. During this period, there is a tendency to assign Urdu to a particular place or place. Many researchers have traced the traces of Urdu in the Mughal period. Among them, Mera Man, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Maulana Sohbai, Shamsullah Qadri and Maulana Muhammad Hussain Azad are worth mentioning. And some say it is a Dravidian language and some say Urdu is the daughter of Braj Bhasha. There are many theories about the origin of the Urdu language, but it is not entirely correct to connect it with any one region.

Мистика любви Хадевейх Брабантской и Мехтильды Магдебургской

The Christian worldview of the late Middle Ages was quite diverse, but at the same time extremely contradictory. Northern France, Flanders, and the German towns in the Rhine Valley were fi lled with various spiritual movements and beliefs that largely determined the spiritual climate of medieval Europe. One such spiritual current was the Beguine movement, which was condemned by the Catholic Church, as were many other religious sects during this period of European history. Nevertheless, the reasons for the persecution of the representatives of female semi-monastic communities are still not clear enough for us. On the one hand, we know that the condemnation of the Beguine’s is directly related to their social activities, because they created serious competition to the Catholic Church. But on the other hand, limiting ourselves exclusively to social reasons, we miss the fact that the Beguine movement was largely mystical and many representatives of women’s communities experienced extremely intense extraordinary experiences. Therefore, turning to the problem of the condemnation of the female mystics, we fi nd that the root of these persecutions lay in their reinterpretation of religious ecstasy, rather than their social activities. To substantiate this position, we examine in detail the representation of love-mystical cognition in two of the most infl uential beguines, Hadewijch of Brabant and Mechthild of Magdeburg. We observe that they not only express their extraordinary experience, but they also theorize it. The mystics abandon the notion of love-mystical cognition as a passive process of perceiving God. Instead, they turn to an active kind of love and justify a form of vita activa. This allows them to bridge the gulf between God and man, and to move independently beyond their own female bodies, burdened by medieval patriarchal norms. The female mystics, as we show, change the very relationship between woman and the world, thereby endowing her with greater autonomy in relation to medieval society and divine reality.

“The Shifting Light of History”: Addressing Philosophy of Memory in Julian Barnes’s <i>Elizabeth Finch</i>

This article discusses the narrative construction of various philosophical reflections on cultural memory in Julian Barnes’s novel <i>Elisabeth Finch</i>. It addresses the dichotomy between recollection and oblivion, presenting a memory process as a the “problem of forgotten evidence”, thoroughly discussed in today’s Cultural and Memory Studies. While contemporary scholars and philosophers aim at reflecting on the role of memory in metaphysics and epistemology, mainly relating the process of recollection either to personal identity, or the experience of time, space and epistemic rationale, the dimension of collective memory, and its foregrounding role in everyone’s self-perceptiveness, receives a considerably reduced critical attention. The literary analysis of <i>Elizabeth Finch</i> seeks to problematize this divisive understanding of functions of memory, proposing instead to consider the semantic complementarity of various processes of recollection/forgetting, connecting the narrative representation of events that one has personally experienced and the officially stated collective renderings of factual memory. It resists considering personal remembering and collective forgetting as ostensibly competing rationales, proposing to delve deeper into a tightly crafted relationship between the perception of one’s identity in time and epistemological framework of collective experience mostly focused on the officially stated dimension of memory. Revisiting discourses on religion associated with the narrative construction of borderlands in Julian Barnes’s <i>Elizabeth Finch</i>, this article contributes to reconsider collective memory and counter-memory not as mutually exclusive, but as synthetized and put into productive motion narrative dimensions. The intertextual articulation of discourses on religion fosters new theoretical perspectives for rethinking counter-memory not only as a mode of recovering silenced and contested versions of the European history, but also as a means of providing multidimensional and transcultural interpretation of the collective past. Perceived as a form of discursive resistance to any kind of political and social dominance, the narrative construction of “forgotten evidence” elucidates the complex post-dialectical relationship between official collective memory and marginalized counter-memory.

“We Have Successfully Neutralised an Attack”—Historical Case Studies in Terrorism Prevention Through Cooperation

ABSTRACT While there is a large body of literature concerned with understanding terrorist attacks and the reasons for why they could not be prevented, this article looks at it from the opposite side: why could terrorist attacks successfully be prevented and what role did intelligence-sharing play? The article analyses three historical cases in depth based on extensive archival records from 18 intelligence agencies. This article traces how intelligence-sharing worked by highlighting the hands-on experiences of intelligence practitioners. The contribution of this article is twofold. First, the article shows how intelligence officers managed to establish successful and effective counterterrorism cooperation in the early 1970s. Second, through the eyes of intelligence reports the article presents new insights about terrorist tactics and terrorism innovation at the time. This included the use of women in terrorist plots and car sales as cover business for terrorism financing. The article concentrates on a peak moment in European terrorism history: it analyses early 1970s Black September attacks and the efforts of intelligence agencies to counter them.

Mosaic Database: Consolidation, Innovation, and Challenges in the Comparative Family Demography of Historical Europe

Abstract This paper looks at the progress that the Mosaic database has enabled in the study of family structures in continental Europe in the past. Our main argument is that the combination of comprehensive archival research, digitization and computation, data mining, and open-access dissemination that is at the core of the Mosaic project is bringing about an important shift in the fundamental principles that have driven European family history research to date. These transformative features of Mosaic go beyond mere data infrastructural developments, as scaling up to much larger datasets leads to qualitative differences in measurements, methods, and questions. Integrating these perspectives can lead to an important incremental shift in both the scale and the scope of knowledge about historical European family systems.

The process of island abandonment by humans in recent European history

The process of island abandonment by humans in recent European history

From Transformation to Consolidation of the State: Challenges of the Rule of Law in the Western Balkans

Democratic societies must adhere to the Rule of Law to ensure that every individual—including the government—responsible to the law. This research looks at the obstacles the Western Balkans encountered in defending the rule of law as they integrated into the European Union, concentrating on the discrepancy between the EU's high standards and the institutional capabilities of the area. This study examines the theoretical underpinnings of the Rule of Law as they relate to Western culture and European history, employing qualitative research methodologies. It also examines the integration processes and changes that have taken place in the Western Balkans. The qualitative analysis concludes that although the Western Balkans need the Rule of Law, existing EU policies might risk being ineffective. It recommends implementing more adaptable and encouraging systems to create the fundamentals of the Rule of Law in these countries, promoting steady advancement towards EU integration. This article offers a critical evaluation of the EU's strategy, highlighting the necessity of customized, situation-specific tactics.