The effect of the First World War on the Mediterranean focus for new University of Reading lecture

When we focus on the First World War, many of us will think of Flanders Fields and the Western Front.

But the battles were fought in more places than just France.

A new public lecture from the University of Reading aims to help people understand more about the battles fought across the world, not just in our European neighbour.

It takes place on the Whiteknights campus later this month.

There were a series of fronts across the Mediterranean.

These included a maritime blockade of the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary, the Gallipoli, Salonika, and Palestine land fronts, and the Central Power’s unrestricted submarine campaign.

The war had a vast impact on so many, from Venice to the Dalmatian coast, from the shoreline of Anatolia to North African port cities, among other places.

The impact, including aerial bombardment, blockade, and population displacement, will be the focus for the University’s Armistice lecture.

Dr Heather Jones, professor of modern and contemporary European history at University College London, will examine why the war’s effects on civilians were rapidly forgotten and reincorporating them impacts how we understand the totalising processes of violence that were at the heart of the First World War.

The lecture is called Civilian Experience of World War One in the Mediterranean, and takes place on Thursday, November 14, from 6.30pm.

It will take place in the Edith Morley building on the University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus (entrance off Shinfield Road).

Places are free, but need to be registered in advance.

For more details, or to book, log on to: https://www.reading.ac.uk/events/Feed/2024/November/Civilian-experience-of-World-War-1-in-the-Mediterranean