The region occupied by the people of Israel and Palestine has seen more than a thousand years of bloodshed. Modern conflict follows a long line of violent history. Historically the state now known as Israel was located along the lucrative Silk Road from China, what Samuel P. Huntington would describe as the ‘cultural edge’ or Continue Reading
The Edict of Expulsion
The expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290 was a relatively quick and efficient affair. The order that the Jews were to leave the country by All Saints day (1 November) was issued on 18 July and the last of the Jews had left England less than four months later. Despite what the so-called Continue Reading
A Literal Ghost Train?
Though macabre in appearance and plaintively bizarre, the concept of a train designed solely to transport bodies for burial became a respected and useful feature in Victorian life. With London’s population exploding during the 1850s graveyards became increasingly congested and piles of rotting corpses were a major public concern. Indeed, Victorian values surrounding death and Continue Reading
Migrants: a Benefit or Danger to our Economy?
In the past 20 years, the influx of migrants to the UK has been steadily rising. Figures show that in the last 5 years alone, net long-term migration to the UK was predicted to be roughly 1 million. But has this helped, or hindered our economy? Typically, those who are immigrating to the UK tend Continue Reading
Peer Mentors
The Peer Mentor Scheme within the History department is entering its tenth year. Throughout the past 10 years, the scheme has aimed to ensure that every new student in Manchester feels welcome and supported during his or her first year at University. This year is no different. The student-to-student support programme aims to help first Continue Reading