The Long 19th Century

 

The Long 19th Century:
European History from 1789 to 1917

Scope:

How, when, and where did the modern world take form? What did this mean for peasants, workers, the middle class, aristocrats, women, and minorities? Why did an era that began with the idealism of the French Revolution and the power of the Industrial Revolution reach closure during World War I---the greatest tragedy of modern European history? Did nationalism and imperialism inevitably lead in such a direction?

These are sonic of the issues we will encounter, as we move from the impact of the French and Industrial Revolutions, 1789-1848, into the "unifications" of Italy and Germany in (he 1850s and 1860s, followed by the spread of industrialism and nationalism into the furthest reaches of Europe toward the end of the century. By that time. British and French predominance was eclipsed by a rapidly modernizing Germany, Austria-Hungary was struggling to survive as a multinational empire, Russia was facing the stresses of inadequate
modernization, the United States and Japan were beginning to play roles in an emerging world balance of power, and almost all of Africa and much of Asia had been gobbled up in a final spasm of imperial expansion. Moreover, the European great powers, organized in alliances and enmeshed in an arms race, confronted increasingly dangerous international crises. Although more people in Europe lived better than ever before, Europe had become a dangerous place.

During these lectures, I will concentrate on the political and diplomatic history of the great powers—Great Britain. France, Germany Austria-Hungary. Russia, and Italy—but always in the context of deeper economic, social, and cultural forces. Each segment of the course will begin with general overviews, as needed, then proceed to national histories. The course will conclude with the events that led to World War I and the devastating impact the Great War had on contemporaries and the following generation. Although Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler were neither inevitable nor likely candidates for national leadership in prewar Europe, they were rooted in their national cultures, children of their age. What had gone wrong?
This course can be experienced on many levels. I assume no prior knowledge, no professional vocabulary—just interest, curiosity, and, one hopes, passion. The more you give, the more you will get. Course readings have been selected carefully and tested on generations of students. This course is dedicated to my family. friends, teachers, former students—and to you. I hope you enjoy it!