History Group
Group Leader: David Cheshire
Venue: St’ Michael’s Parish Centre. Fortnightly.
Day/Time: Tuesday 11.00 am – 12.30 am
Contact: email David here Tel: 01202 820823
The Group
The History Group is a large and very friendly group of people from all backgrounds. No previous knowledge of history is required or assumed. What unites us is an interest in the topics, which we agree each year, and a strong belief that history should be fun. We particularly enjoy discussion and debate. I email round all my notes before each session. Whether you look at them or not is purely optional; each session is free-standing and everything is explained. If you like history, or like the idea of trying it as a new interest, we promise you a warm welcome. The only qualification required is your interest and enthusiasm and a wish to learn and have fun in good company.
Topics for September 2025 -2026
ANCESTRAL CHALLENGES: REVOLUTION AND DEMOCRACY
This year’s topic is about challenges to power: the history of Revolutions and Democracy, from ancient times to the present day. It will include:
Democracy – definitions, types, origins, democracy in the ancient world (e.g. Greece, Rome and beyond), in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, checks on monarchy, the social contract, consent, rights, American and French conceptions of democracy, 19th and 20th century democracy, the impact of decolonisation, minority rights, new forms, the future of democracy, threats and resilience.
Revolutions – definitions, types, causes, leadership, revolutions in ancient, medieval, Renaissance and Reformation times, constitutional revolutions (e.g. America, France, Japan), communist revolutions (e.g. Russia, China, Cuba), against dictators (e.g. Mexico, Nicaragua, Iran), “colour” revolutions (e.g. Eastern Europe, Ukraine), Arab Spring revolutions (e.g. Tunisia, Egypt), revolution now and in the future.
We will also discuss the leaders and thinkers who influenced revolution and democracy throughout history in theory and in practice.
No previous knowledge is required, just an interest; all will be explained. We’re a large Group, but Verwood u3a were kind enough to give us a nice, airy venue with plenty of space and chairs so numbers shouldn’t be a problem. Please contact me as soon as possible if you have any questions and/or are interested in booking a place for September 2024.
The Leader
I joined Verwood U3A when I moved here back in 2009 as a way of meeting people and keeping my brain active. I‘ve been a member of various U3A Groups, Family History, Current Affairs and the Reading Group and was a Committee member for a time. I used to be a history teacher and in 2010 I volunteered to re-start the History Group. The enthusiasm here for history is tremendous. We enjoy learning together and I have can safely say that I have never enjoyed history more.
2024 – 2025 Notes
ANCESTRAL POWERS:
Empire and Science in World History
2023 – 2024 Notes
2022 – 2023 Notes
Alfred the Great presentation by Sue Elve
2021 – 2022 Notes
2020 – 2021 Notes
Stories of Hearts and Minds in the 19th Century
Paradise Regained – Stories of Power & Glory
2019 – 2020 Notes
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Notes from previous sessions can be seen in the History Archive click here