Small Wars

University of Hull 3rd Year Module 2022-23

Topics Covered

Theory and History of Small Wars - Workshop

This workshop started by covering definitional issues of 'small wars'; how Colin Gray's 'Dimensions of Strategy' can be applied to small wars; and reading and questions from the first part of the lecture, mainly surrounding key trends in insurgency and counter insurgency and Clausewitz's understanding of guerilla warfare. The second part of the workshop was dedicated to reading set on Calwell's 'Small Wars', supported by a case study and summary questions on the history of small wars.

Indochina - Workshop

This workshop started by covering which of Colin Gray's 'Dimensions of Strategy' were most important to both the French and Vietminh forces in Indochina. It then moved on to a discussion on the important events of the war. The workshop concluded with thoughts and questions on set reading, with main consideration being given to the Vietminh's adaption of Maoist strategic theory.