Retrospect Journal
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Retrospect Journal
@retrospectjournal.bsky.social
Edinburgh University's student-led History, Classics, and Archaeology journal 📜
New articles uploaded weekly 📖
https://linktr.ee/retrospectjournal
The Biafran Crisis: How Famine Redefined Humanitarianism  

The Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970, arose from tensions between different and diverse ethnic groups following a forced union by British colonial powers. These struggles continued post Nigerian independence, and Louisa Steijger explores…
The Biafran Crisis: How Famine Redefined Humanitarianism  
The Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970, arose from tensions between different and diverse ethnic groups following a forced union by British colonial powers. These struggles continued post Nigerian independence, and Louisa Steijger explores international responses to the Civil War which prompted a form of neo-humanitarianism.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Beyond Consent: The Inconsistencies of Rape Laws in the antebellum South

The American legal system in the South before the Civil War was highly inconsistent, especially in term of rape and consent laws. Eva Beere explores these antebellum rape laws, and how Black women received less legal…
Beyond Consent: The Inconsistencies of Rape Laws in the antebellum South
The American legal system in the South before the Civil War was highly inconsistent, especially in term of rape and consent laws. Eva Beere explores these antebellum rape laws, and how Black women received less legal protection.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
“[T]he mute body speaks by its gesture and movement”: A Classical Corporeality in Catherine de Medici’s Tears  

Harry Fry contextualises Catherine de Medici's tears upon the death of her husband within early modern thinking about, and historiographical frameworks on emotion.
“[T]he mute body speaks by its gesture and movement”: A Classical Corporeality in Catherine de Medici’s Tears  
Harry Fry contextualises Catherine de Medici's tears upon the death of her husband within early modern thinking about, and historiographical frameworks on emotion.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Heritage and Amnesia: The Overlooked Legacy of Slavery in Britain’s Country Houses

Olivia Norbury uncovers the untold history of slavery in British country houses.
Heritage and Amnesia: The Overlooked Legacy of Slavery in Britain’s Country Houses
Olivia Norbury uncovers the untold history of slavery in British country houses.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 6:17 PM
King Alfred’s Victorian Millenary  

Fleur O'Reilly explores Alfred the Great’s legacy as a unifier and educational reformer and how his reign shaped England's identity and history.
King Alfred’s Victorian Millenary  
Fleur O'Reilly explores Alfred the Great’s legacy as a unifier and educational reformer and how his reign shaped England's identity and history.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Scotland, 1093-1097: An Aptly Tumultuous End to Eleventh-Century Scotland

The tumultuous Scottish succession crisis from 1093-1097 saw multiple kings perish amid violent conflicts. Harry Child highlights how this was an apt end to the eleventh century in Scotland.
Scotland, 1093-1097: An Aptly Tumultuous End to Eleventh-Century Scotland
The tumultuous Scottish succession crisis from 1093-1097 saw multiple kings perish amid violent conflicts. Harry Child highlights how this was an apt end to the eleventh century in Scotland.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Cleaning Up Auld Reekie: Dr Henry Littlejohn and the Public Health of Edinburgh

Edinburgh has historically been known as 'Auld Reekie,' owing to the fact that for most of its existence it smelled awful. Ailsa Fraser explores how Dr Henry Littlejohn, the city's first Medical Officer, helped to…
Cleaning Up Auld Reekie: Dr Henry Littlejohn and the Public Health of Edinburgh
Edinburgh has historically been known as 'Auld Reekie,' owing to the fact that for most of its existence it smelled awful. Ailsa Fraser explores how Dr Henry Littlejohn, the city's first Medical Officer, helped to clean up the city.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Feminist Interventions in Art from 1970 – 2010 

Emily Jones charts the evolution of Feminist Art from the late 1960s, emphasising women's marginalisation in the male-dominated art world and analysing work notably by the Guerrilla Girls, Valie Export, and Martha Rosler.
Feminist Interventions in Art from 1970 – 2010 
Emily Jones charts the evolution of Feminist Art from the late 1960s, emphasising women's marginalisation in the male-dominated art world and analysing work notably by the Guerrilla Girls, Valie Export, and Martha Rosler.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Witnessing the Spanish Civil War- A Visual Archive from the Republican Side. 

Arianna North Castell discusses the impact of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) on Catalan identity and resilience through visual records, particularly photographs by Antoni Campañà. These images reveal women's…
Witnessing the Spanish Civil War- A Visual Archive from the Republican Side. 
Arianna North Castell discusses the impact of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) on Catalan identity and resilience through visual records, particularly photographs by Antoni Campañà. These images reveal women's unfiltered role in both combat and social recovery, serving as poignant reminders of a traumatic history, urging remembrance.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
‘Century of Humiliation’: The Opium Wars and the legacy of British imperialism in China 

Edie Christian explores the historical impact of the Opium Wars and the role of the East India Company in shaping China's vulnerabilities and attitudes towards the West. The legacy of British imperialism…
‘Century of Humiliation’: The Opium Wars and the legacy of British imperialism in China 
Edie Christian explores the historical impact of the Opium Wars and the role of the East India Company in shaping China's vulnerabilities and attitudes towards the West. The legacy of British imperialism continues to influence China's foreign relations, reflecting deep-rooted distrust towards colonial powers today.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
‘We Are The Daughters of the Witches You Couldn’t Burn’; Modern Paganism and The Paradox of the Contemporary Witch 

Daisy Gillam explores the historical and cultural transformation of what a witch is.
‘We Are The Daughters of the Witches You Couldn’t Burn’; Modern Paganism and The Paradox of the Contemporary Witch 
Daisy Gillam explores the historical and cultural transformation of what a witch is.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Art in the Harlem Renaissance and its legacy   

Flora Gilchrist explores the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance through the work of African American artist Aaron Douglas and Charles Henry Alston.
Art in the Harlem Renaissance and its legacy   
Flora Gilchrist explores the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance through the work of African American artist Aaron Douglas and Charles Henry Alston.
retrospectjournal.com
April 13, 2025 at 4:01 PM
‘The Last Dissenting Voice’ – how the death of Jimmy Carter caused a dark shift in American Politics

Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, served from 1977 to 1981, was a vocal critic of his successors, including Donald Trump. Sam Mackenzie explores the political shift which occurred following…
‘The Last Dissenting Voice’ – how the death of Jimmy Carter caused a dark shift in American Politics
Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, served from 1977 to 1981, was a vocal critic of his successors, including Donald Trump. Sam Mackenzie explores the political shift which occurred following Carter's death, comparing inaugural addresses and attitudes towards conflict.
retrospectjournal.com
April 7, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Nasta Rojc: Tracing the Life of Croatia’s New Woman 

Leila Hajek delves into the life and legacy of Croatian artist Nasta Rojc, who was negated from the art history canon due to her gender, sexuality and identity as Eastern European. Hajek explores her life, legacy and her significant…
Nasta Rojc: Tracing the Life of Croatia’s New Woman 
Leila Hajek delves into the life and legacy of Croatian artist Nasta Rojc, who was negated from the art history canon due to her gender, sexuality and identity as Eastern European. Hajek explores her life, legacy and her significant contributions to women's art.
retrospectjournal.com
April 6, 2025 at 6:32 PM
The Impact of the 1979 Revolution on Iranian Women: Gains, Losses, and Contradictions

The Iranian Revolution of 1979, led by Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, drastically altered women's rights, particularly the rights of middle- and upper-class women. Yael Frankie discusses the previous regime, the…
The Impact of the 1979 Revolution on Iranian Women: Gains, Losses, and Contradictions
The Iranian Revolution of 1979, led by Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, drastically altered women's rights, particularly the rights of middle- and upper-class women. Yael Frankie discusses the previous regime, the Shah's regime, in comparison with Khomeini's policies which severely restricted women's economic and personal autonomy.
retrospectjournal.com
April 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Book Review: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney 

Angelina Castrucci explores Walter Rodney’s book 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa'.
Book Review: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney 
Angelina Castrucci explores Walter Rodney’s book 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa'.
retrospectjournal.com
April 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Review of Alice Loxton’s Uproar! Satire, Scandal and Printmakers in Georgian London 

Lauren Hood's review of Alice Loxton's "Uproar!" explores the impactful evolution of British satire in the 18th century, highlighting the influential careers of artists Rowlandson, Gillray, and Cruikshank amidst…
Review of Alice Loxton’s Uproar! Satire, Scandal and Printmakers in Georgian London 
Lauren Hood's review of Alice Loxton's "Uproar!" explores the impactful evolution of British satire in the 18th century, highlighting the influential careers of artists Rowlandson, Gillray, and Cruikshank amidst societal and political controversies in London.
retrospectjournal.com
April 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Cartucho y Las Adelitas – the Mexican Revolution through the Female Lens

The women of the Mexican Revolution, often overlooked, were crucial to the war effort. Arianna North Castell reviews the book 'Cartucho' by Nellie Campobello, who was a child during the conflict. North Castell explores…
Cartucho y Las Adelitas – the Mexican Revolution through the Female Lens
The women of the Mexican Revolution, often overlooked, were crucial to the war effort. Arianna North Castell reviews the book 'Cartucho' by Nellie Campobello, who was a child during the conflict. North Castell explores Campobello's experiences as a child and the normalisation of violence as an everyday reality.
retrospectjournal.com
April 6, 2025 at 5:31 PM
What Time is it Mr Willett? The History of British Summer Time

Kate Taylor explores the origins and evolution of British Summer Time (BST).
What Time is it Mr Willett? The History of British Summer Time
Kate Taylor explores the origins and evolution of British Summer Time (BST).
retrospectjournal.com
April 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“The American Crime”: Butchery at Wounded Knee, and the End of the Plains Nations

Sam Mackenzie vividly reconstructs the tragic events of the massacre at Wounded KNee.
“The American Crime”: Butchery at Wounded Knee, and the End of the Plains Nations
Sam Mackenzie vividly reconstructs the tragic events of the massacre at Wounded KNee.
retrospectjournal.com
April 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The Factory, the Forest, and Folklore: The Origins of Hiking as a Radical Activity

Logan McKinnon explores how hiking can be understood as a radical act of reclaiming nature, fostering freedom and equality while challenging societal norms and structures.
The Factory, the Forest, and Folklore: The Origins of Hiking as a Radical Activity
Logan McKinnon explores how hiking can be understood as a radical act of reclaiming nature, fostering freedom and equality while challenging societal norms and structures.
retrospectjournal.com
April 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Artichokes, Humours, and Swords: A Look at a Revealing Episode in Caravaggio’s Life

Helene Chaligne examines one particularly strange moment in Caravaggio's life, in which a debate about the preparation of artichokes led to a Roman brawl.
Artichokes, Humours, and Swords: A Look at a Revealing Episode in Caravaggio’s Life
Helene Chaligne examines one particularly strange moment in Caravaggio's life, in which a debate about the preparation of artichokes led to a Roman brawl.
retrospectjournal.com
April 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Epilogue to a story of hubris: Italians in Adwa

Emilio Luppino explores how Italy's colonial ambitions in Africa were impaired by internal divisions, diplomatic failures, and military defeat.
Epilogue to a story of hubris: Italians in Adwa
Emilio Luppino explores how Italy's colonial ambitions in Africa were impaired by internal divisions, diplomatic failures, and military defeat.
retrospectjournal.com
April 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Wolf’s Rain: An Elegy to Lost Dreams 

Peiqi An reviews the Japanese animation series Wolf's Rain.
Wolf’s Rain: An Elegy to Lost Dreams 
Peiqi An reviews the Japanese animation series Wolf's Rain.
retrospectjournal.com
April 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The role of Khomeini in the 1979 Iranian Revolution 

The 1979 Iranian Revolution resulted in the toppling of the Pahlavi dynasty and the creation of the Islamic Republic. Olivia Norbury acknowledges Khomeini's role in unifying the Iranian people and cementing the ideology of political Islam.…
The role of Khomeini in the 1979 Iranian Revolution 
The 1979 Iranian Revolution resulted in the toppling of the Pahlavi dynasty and the creation of the Islamic Republic. Olivia Norbury acknowledges Khomeini's role in unifying the Iranian people and cementing the ideology of political Islam. However, Norbury also seeks to explore other reasons for revolution, such as Shari'ati's ideology and secular beliefs.
retrospectjournal.com
March 30, 2025 at 7:31 PM