The College of Education for Human Sciences (Ibn Rushd), University of Baghdad, held the public defense of the PhD dissertation entitled “The Development of the French Military Institution (1914–1940),” presented by Hussam Mohammed Ali, a doctoral candidate in the Department of History specializing in Modern History.
The dissertation examination committee was chaired by Prof. Dr. Sabah Mahdi Rumaidh, with Prof. Dr. Aliaa Mohammed Hussein serving as both supervisor and committee member. The committee also included a distinguished group of faculty members from the Department of History, in addition to Prof. Dr. Mohammed Hashim Khuwaitir from the College of Education, Al-Mustansiriyah University, who participated as an external examiner.
The study aimed to examine the development of the French military institution between 1914 and 1940, focusing on the evolution of its land, naval, air, and chemical forces, the organization of colonial troops, and changes in military structures and terminology across different political periods in French history. It also explored the development of military education and training programs that contributed to preparing French military leaders and officers of various ranks.
The study concluded that the development of the French military institution was closely linked to the political transformations experienced by France. This relationship was reflected in the changing designations of the French Army, each corresponding to a distinct political era and governing system. The findings also showed that specialized military ministries played a central role in strengthening the institution’s organizational and operational capabilities, enabling it to enhance military effectiveness through well-trained leaders equipped with the knowledge and expertise required for effective decision-making on the battlefield.
