Best Resources For Learning Military History

Military history encompasses a vast, and it must be said, somewhat disorderly body of very varied knowledge of our past, which is extremely rich in lessons about society and tactics and technology. No matter if you are a student, educator or a history enthusiast, entering into this topic can help you gain more understanding of conflicts on the past and how they affected the world like we have today. To initiate this adventure you need access to quality sources that include structured learning, access to primary sources, interactivity, and expert analyses.

Below is a collected list of the best resources to learn military history. Online courses, digital archives, interactive platforms, books and other multimedia content are included. Every resource has been carefully selected based on how credible, well deepened and fun to engage a learner from a different level.

You can get an in deep of military history right from ancient warfare to the current conflicts by going through these resources. From the strategies of historical battles to the evolution of military technology to the societal impacts of war, whether you are interested in the single thing or are looking for ideas to broaden a history paper on the subject of war, these demographics of resources will give you the information you seek.

Online Courses for Structured Learning

Going through structured courses is thorough in learning military history. Alison, WIZAPE and FutureLearn all provide courses related to military history, that span from ancient warfare to modern day wars. Each of these courses caters to the start level of learning, so that even beginners may be educated and advanced learners might discover something new as well.

For instance, Alison offers an online course for free titled: ‘An Introduction to Military History’ including topics from Ancient Warfare to World Wars. WIZAPE even came armed with an extremely course of 25 modules that take specific topics such as cyber warfare. Through FutureLearn, top universities analyse military history through major conflict analysis and discussion on what rules should govern the army.

The subject of military history is taught on these structured courses as a solidly packed grounding in it, allowing learners to explore a number of topics in depth and in their own time.

Alison’s Free Military History Course

Alison provides An Introduction to Military History in an online format free, from ancient warfare to World Wars. It is perfect for a beginner who wants to have a basic understanding in this field. Video lectures, quizzes and assessments reinforce the learning on the course.​

WIZAPE’s Military History Modules

There as an extensive course from WIZAPE with 25 modules that cover from ancient warfare to modern warfare such as cyber warfare. Each module dives into a particular topic concerning military history in great detail. It is designed as such that learners from multiple levels learn everything on the subject.​

FutureLearn’s Military History Courses

As well as its courses on military ethics, FutureLearn also works with top universities in offering courses on military history including analyses of key conflicts. Academic Perspectives: for people who desire to deepen their knowledge in the form of the courses provided above. It features in the form of discussions and peer review for an interactive learning experience.​

Coursera’s Military History Specialization

Military history is a course offered by Coursera as a specialization that comes in several courses for those looking to gain knowledge in the subject. The courses are taught by experts from reputed institutions, have video lectures, read materials, and assessments. They can earn certificates when they’re finished improving the value of their academic credentials.​

edX’s Military History Programs

Further, edX is available to provide programs in military history where it offers courses that cover the causes of war, strategies, and the effect of warfare in society. The platform collaborates with universities, and students can study at their own pace with high quality content provided by the platform. It has programs from introductory to higher levels, to connect with a large range of participants.​FutureLearn

Digital Archives and Primary Sources

Primary sources are able to be directly connected to historical events. Electronic archives allow for the presence of official records, pictures and diaries records, and make history more accessible by its users.

In Gale’s collection of scholarly articles and primary source documents, search “Military and Intelligence Library” and “War and Terrorism Library to conduct in depth research. The resources available through the Smithsonian’s History Explorer are plentiful and include lessons, activities, and multimedia, all correlated with national educational standards. Digital resources available, such as lesson plans and virtual field trips, allow one to explore the 250 years of U.S. Army history at the National Museum of the United States Army.

Both of these digital archives and primary sources are great resources for anyone who researching military history or simply looking to learn in very thorough fashion.

Gale’s Military History Databases

For in depth research Gale provides databases such as Military and Intelligence Library and War & Terrorism Library that provides scholarly articles along with primary source documents. There exist databases accessible through academic institutions and libraries, hereby giving access to a lot of information for learners and researchers.​

Smithsonian’s History Explorer

This site from the Smithsonian History Explorer boasts an array of resources, including audio, activities, lessons, and more that are based on national educational standards. This is a great tool for browsing through US history using primary sources. The platform is geared towards interactive learning and critical thinking and is an appropriate learning tool for both educators and students.​

National Museum of the United States Army

To look at the U.S. Army’s 250 year history, the National Museum presents digital resources such as lesson plans and virtual field trips. These engage those learners and give a thorough picture of the contribution of the Army to American history. In addition to in person exhibits, the museum’s online offerings by connecting the exhibitions to the learning opportunities beyond the classroom.​

Library of Congress’s Military Collections

Extensive military collections are located in the manuscript, photograph and map collections at the Library of Congress and provide a rich repository for research. The learners can explore historical materials in the collections online from their homes. Guides and tutorials are also provided by the Library of Congress to help users find their way through the large collection held in the Library of Congress.​

National Archives’ Military Records

Military records held at the National Archives range from service records, pension files and war diaries and are a very useful source for genealogical and historical research. Many records have been digitized, they are available online, and this opens up web access for researchers from all over the world. In addition to its resources, the Archives also provides toolkits and support for users carrying out research.​

Interactive Learning Platforms

It helps to learn things interactively and in a dynamic way. They have a variety of resources on these platforms such as, quizzes, games and simulations to help the learners understand the complex historical events and concepts.

Learning resources, gallery trails and classroom activities for free can be found on National Army Museum that gives insight to different areas of military history. Additionally they offer syllabus aligned content that includes something as simple as tutorials on, for instance, BBC Bitesize and Seneca Learning.

They include tutorials, flashcards, and quizzes, and so they are perfect for GCSE and A level students. Animated and engaging explanations on the key events are presented by YouTubers such as OverSimplified and Epic History. The multiple modes of content delivery makes these uses especially useful to the visual and auditory learners.

Interaction learning has not only turn into engagement booster but also improves retention. These resources appeal to various learners through the use of digital simulations or multimedia storytelling in a way that encourages students to explore the subject of history deeper using a different approach other than reading.

National Army Museum’s Education Hub

The National Army Museum in London has a wide range of interactive educational resources. This covers digital gallery tours, interactive exhibits, as well as downloadable classroom activities based on UK curriculum standards. The platform of the museum has been designed so as to inspire critical thinking and engagement through hands on history learning for teachers and students alike.

BBC Bitesize – History for Students

There are curriculum specific modules for GCSE and A Level history on the BBC Bitesize website, covering military conflicts. There are interactive quizzes, animations and concise revision guides about complex topics such as the World Wars or Cold War defined in easy terms. It is a popular platform for students who love to prepare for the exams the way they want to, a user friendly experience.

Seneca Learning’s Military History Lessons

Seneca Learning is the set of interactive revision tools built by cognitive science. The military history is covered in modules but one based on the UK qualifications utilising memes, quizzes and small texts to improve retainment. That being said, it is especially good for people who enjoy studying in short bursts like that.

YouTube Channels: OverSimplified & Epic History

These are channels that work for the visual storytelling learners. OverSimplified consists of humor and animations to explain events such as World Wars or famous battles. Students have the opportunity to enjoy entertainment that goes into depth.

HistoryHit’s Digital Subscription

Dan Snow’s HistoryHit provides a huge library of documentaries and podcasts. From ancient battles to modern conflicts, the topics are wide, and all are delivered by experts. It has a subscription basis but includes high quality academic level content with interactive features and regular updates.

Books and Visual Guides

The last word will always be reserved for books and visual guides against anyone actually interested in military history. However, they can provide detailed analysis, visual representations of battlefields and firsthand accounts which can prove to be much more in depth than digital sources sometimes can.

Titles like The Military History Book by DK or For the Common Defense by Allan R. Millett combine scholarly insight with accessible writing. This makes it possible for readers access to the visual guides such as The Illustrated History of World War II which provide readers the opportunity to engage with historical timelines, battle maps, and rare photographs. Particularly when conducting in depth research, for development of supplementary classroom material, or personal enrichment purposes, these resources are very valuable.

Books are a unique type of medium, which allow you to study history at your own time and pace and whatever medium you prefer be it academic texts, illustrated guides or memoir.

“The Military History Book” by DK

The Timelines and Diagrams show compelling dates in global military history and the Diagrams show global cosmodromes, battlefields, famous ships, weaponry, and resistant organizations. This book will serve as a good entry into a subject for those wanting an overview of major events, tactics, and figures of ancient, medieval, and modern warfare. The layout and attention to rich imagery are clear so that the page provides visual engagement as well as information.

“For the Common Defense” by Allan R. Millett

An excellent analysis of how the U.S. military has grown from the colonial period to the present day. It looks at how the role of defence policy, of tactics of war and of international strategy are changing. It is meant for university level students and researchers and is a critical read in American military scholarship.

“A History of Warfare” by John Keegan

Keegan’s masterpiece reconsiders the ways in which wars were fought, and the reasons why. It moves humans from technology and politics into the human side of conflict. The book is not about timelines and tactics – lovers of such matters will find this one dense indeed – it’s a must read for anyone interested in the philosophy and anthropology of warfare.

“The Art of War” by Sun Tzu

Although a thousand years old, Sun Tzu’s treatise remains studied in military academies and leadership courses world wide. Through many centuries, timeless principles on the strategy, deception and leadership have continued to influence both historical generals and modern thinkers. Learners interested in military theory will find this ideal.

“The Illustrated History of World War II”

A visually rich, photo, propaganda and battle map filled account of WWII, rare photographs, posters, and detailed battle maps included. It is made for the history reader that likes a heavy visual element in their historical studies and is an excellent companion to formal study.

Podcasts and Documentaries

Podcasts and documentaries are one pleasant way to articulate military history that is set in a more relaxed conversational way. These formats enable continuous learning regardless of you’re on commute or taking a break with no screen fatigue.

Particular events and themes are explored in podcasts like The Rest is History and In Our Time by the BBC, which have scholarly analysis and lively discussion. On the visual side, there are films on platforms as Netflix, YouTube and HistoryHit (cultural video website) as cinematic reconstructions and interviews with experts.

All these formats are suitable for people who are auditory or visual learners, and they can be useful as complementary materials along with an academic text or a course.

BBC’s “In Our Time” Podcast

On Melvyn Bragg and his guests unpacking key historical events, such as featuring a string of episodes on military themes of times past such as the fall of Roman Britain 410AD, the Battle of Hastings 1066 or the Thirty Years’ War 1618 – 1648. For history buffs looking for in depth topics and varied viewpoints on one topic for 1 hours at a time, this is that podcast.

“The Rest is History” Podcast

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook host this podcast in which they talk about both the well known and the lesser known episodes of history. The episodes are commonly presented in topical fashion, concerning military leadership, key battles, and historic myths. Great for the listeners who are trying to find the balance between a mix of expertise and entertainment.

Netflix & Amazon Documentaries

Greatest Events of WWII in Colour or The Vietnam War by Ken Burns are on platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. In addition, these offer a detailed analysis with emotional story telling and are very good for getting a broader understanding of military events in a visual format.

HistoryHit Streaming Service

With documentaries on military history, ancient battles and wars in the 20th Century, HistoryHit was created by historian Dan Snow. An academic, yet accessible, platform, with high production quality and with added updates, for those who want more than the mainstream.

YouTube’s Historical Channels

While at “Real Crusades History” YouTube holds rich reserve of military history content. Such channels also usually feature expert commentary, 3D reconstructions, live Q&As to add an interactive element to the documentary experience.

Call to Action

Moreover, if you want to get into a discussion about the stories behind the world’s most famous or defining military seconds, then these resources are great. If you are doing academic research or taking the exams, or if just feed the historical curiosity: these courses, archives, platforms, books and podcasts will give the necessary depth and historical context.

However, if that’s not enough momentum for you, visit WarAndPeaceHistory.com and see more academic content specifically picked to suit your learning goals. The recommendations we offer are based on research and we support you while you are writing to so that you can truly make the most of your study. Are you ready to master military history with confidence and clarity?

Conclusion

History makes for a matter of wars; history is about more: human nature, leadership, innovation and global power on the move. The disciplined strategies of ancient empires, the complex dynamics of modern warfare, to name a few cases needing endless studying of military history, they are the most valuable lessons to be learnt by students, researchers, and professionals.

You can have meaningful, multi dimensional access to this discipline by using the best resources: online courses, archives, interactive platforms, compelling documentaries, etc. Different medium present different way to read, from uncontaminated academic texts to YouTube Channels and Podcasts.

In the long run, it is military history that allows us to understand the price of conflict and of the human spirit. Apart from lessons on strategy and technology, it teaches diplomacy, ethics and global relations. Start exploring today and discover how we should view and appreciate how history’s great conflicts have molded the world we live in.

FAQs

1: What is the best approach to initiate learning of military history?

Begin with an online course or read a well reviewed beginner’s book such as The Military History Book by DK to start laying the framework.

2: Is there some free resource for this study of military history?

Yes! Other good–quality, free options are Alison’s online course, public archives such as the Smithsonian and National Archives.

3: How is military history to be studied by a student?

Platforms such as FutureLearn, BBC Bitesize, Seneca Learning, and many more can be used. As a complement, study its guide and podcasts for enriched learning.

4: What are some good resources for learners who are tactile or visual?

OverSimplified and Epic History on YouTube, and DK’s encyclopaedia, have visual guides for visual learners.

5: Does military history improve someone’s ability to write academically?

Absolutely. Conflict analysis, as well as conflicts’ causes and consequences, is great for enhancing critical thinking of the student, an essential part of writing research papers and essays.

6: What kind of help for writing essays in military history do you need?

For information on expert online writing help, visit WarAndPeaceHistory.com.