While advertising originally evolved to answer the needs of industry, it is now a key element of the political world too. Thom Iddon looks at how political leaders have used advertising. From the Victorians through to the ’60s ‘mad men’ and the interactive ads of today, Megan Dina Garlick explores how ad men came to […]
The last editors’ notes from 2012/13 editors Ata Rahman and Charlie Bush. A review of Dr Parthasarathi’s lecture on the European-Asian economic divergence. We look at Gove’s new British history proposals for the curriculum. Mr Bush reviews A Doll’s House at the Royal Exchange. How Mexico learnt to protest
From the Victorians through to the ’60s ‘mad men’ and the interactive ads of today, Megan Dina Garlick explores how ad men came to be. In the Middle Ages reading was a luxury not even afforded by most of the wealthy. Therefore, traders promoted their goods through some imaginative images. James Brannan investigates these and […]
What do Björk, Massive Attack and Neil Young have in common? Despite the temptation to reply, people I’ve cried to in the car (looking at you middle-aged men still stuck in the hacienda), it might surprise you that each act has been part of a larger global effort to fight climate change with music. In […]
Despite an age of increasing information proliferation across mass print publications, video media and the internet, censorship is still an enormous issue across the world. Recent news stories highlighting the risks facing journalists who publish contentious articles and data from whistle blowers like Edward Snowdon have highlighted that despite the image of democratic countries such […]
Despite selling few paintings during her lifetime, feminist icon Frida Kahlo continues to be widely celebrated for her boundary-pushing work. Through her art, most notably her self-portraits, Kahlo created images of female beauty which diverged from early twentieth century ideals. The upheaval of the Spanish political sphere in the 1930s saw the emergence of two […]
Welcome to the new look Manchester Historian! Issue 3 has seen an expansion in the production team so we are finishing the year bigger and better than ever. We’re so grateful for the work everyone has put into the paper and we hope you all enjoy reading this as a break from all your essays! […]
The Roman Emperor Vespasian came to power in 69CE after a year-long and bloody Roman civil war, which had seen no fewer than four emperors. Having little legitimacy to his newfound and tenuously held position other than the strength of the legions which had proclaimed him emperor, Vespasian needed to validate his rule quickly. As […]
Of all the subject teachers in schools around the world, it seems reasonable to suggest that those teaching history are a superior breed. Such a magnificent subject naturally attracts a higher class of student, some of whom then go on to spread the joy to future generation through the medium of education. But obviously, I, […]
Dubbed ‘the bloodiest war in history’, the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) shook China, its scars both present and still healing today. In 1843, Hong Xiuquan was converted to Protestantism by Western missionaries and founded a God-worshipping society. However, much to the disdain of Western missionaries, Hong’s new society was a sinicization and ‘distortion’ of Christianity that […]
“I may be a wage slave on Monday / But I am a free man on Sunday.” The final, defiant lines of Ewan MacColl’s The Manchester Rambler are set to a jovial tune that has become a standard for English folk singers; yet one could be forgiven for not having heard it. The song, and […]
Both historically and contemporarily, Manchester has been considered by many as synonymous with resistance and rebellion, the rebellious younger sibling of London. This is a long legacy, and most pertinent to it is Manchester’s lively spirit of working-class political activism. The history of the burgeoning counterculture in Britain often centres around London, with underground magazines […]
Hargau (steamed shrimp dumplings), lo baakgou (turnip cake), paigwut (steamed ribs); these are a few examples of the much loved dim sum that has become recognised, and eaten across the globe. Eaten now as a meal at any time of the day, the origins of this style of eating have much deeper, historical roots. Dim […]
Turner Prize winning artist-turned director Steve McQueen has built up quite the reputation amongst those in his native British film industry. With his two previous forays into the world of film offering us the artistic flair and shocking sexual deviance of Shame and the oppressive realism of Hunger, it is no surprise McQueen’s reluctant journey […]
