Martin Holmes

Dr Martin Holmes is a member of the Senior Common Room at St Hugh’s College, where he was previously Lecturer in Politics for over 20 years. Additionally, he has been Director of the annual Nebraska at Oxford summer program since 1989. For the OUDCE he has taught several syllabi on the Foundations of Diplomacy course over the past decade, as well as guest lectures for the Diplomatic Studies Program. A strong supporter of lifelong education, he has also been a regular lecturer for the University of the Third Age (U3A). A specialist in International Relations and European Integration, he is the author of seven books. His latest publication, a diplomatic history of 20th century Europe, was published by Routledge in August: From the Treaty of Versailles to the Treaty of Maastricht: Conflict, carnage and cooperation in Europe 1918 – 93.

Courses

Controversies in UK Foreign Policy: Diplomacy or Military Force?

Examine the most controversial decisions in British foreign policy over the past century, from Chamberlain to Johnson. We will examine six key decisions where the choice was diplomacy or the use of military force. Lecture series with Dr Martin Holmes.

Neville Chamberlain and Appeasement

Although the British public has tended to view Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement policy in a negative light, historians have often taken a more positive, ‘revisionist’ stance. This lecture examines the evidence – are the revisionists right or wrong?

Ernie Bevin and the Cold War

Ernest Bevin adopted a hard-line anti-Soviet policy, encouraging Truman to respond to Soviet behaviour in Eastern Europe with both diplomatic and military measures. This talk evaluates Bevin’s influence on the Truman Doctrine and the creation of NATO.

Anthony Eden and the Suez Crisis

The overwhelming consensus is that Anthony Eden’s Suez policy was a disaster. But why did Eden, a renowned foreign policy expert, blunder so badly? This talk explains Eden’s mindset and exactly what he did and did not know prior to November 1956.

Margaret Thatcher and the Falklands War

Why did Margaret Thatcher use military force to reclaim the Falkland Islands after the Argentine occupation in April 1982? Why did she reject diplomatic alternatives? This talk looks behind the façade of the official explanations for the war.

Tony Blair and the Iraq War

While Bush enjoyed public support for his invasion of Iraq, this was not the case for Tony Blair. Did Blair seek to create public backing for war by exaggerating the threat Saddam posed? This talk evaluates the build-up to and aftermath of the Iraq War.

Boris Johnson and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

As Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson had tried a ‘reset’ of relations with Putin. Why, then, was the Johnson administration so enthusiastic to support Ukraine following the Russian invasion of 2022? This talk explores Johnson’s shifting attitude to Putin.

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Martin Holmes

Courses

Controversies in UK Foreign Policy: Diplomacy or Military Force?

Neville Chamberlain and Appeasement

Ernie Bevin and the Cold War

Anthony Eden and the Suez Crisis

Margaret Thatcher and the Falklands War

Tony Blair and the Iraq War

Boris Johnson and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine