The European Century

Politics, Economy, and Society 1789–1918

The “long” 19th century, spanning 1789 to 1918, was the period during which Europe had a lasting and decisive influence on the world. Europe’s political, economic, and cultural developments were observed and embraced by all nations of the world. Not only did the European Enlightenment begin its triumphant march across the world on the old continent, but the Industrial Revolution and the capitalist economic system closely linked to it, as well as political movements such as constitutionalism, are considered genuinely European ideas that gained international prominence. English and French rose to become world languages, and European culture, fashion, and etiquette were embraced across the globe.

Yet this development also had significant downsides. During this period, Europe dominated the world not only culturally but also physically. Colonialism, which in the second half of the 19th century escalated into a race for the last “unclaimed” patches of land, was often based on oppression and exploitation. Europe was rich, ruled, and shaped the world, but it did so at the expense of others and often through the use of violence. The fact that the European states ultimately weakened one another so severely during World War I (1914–1918) that their dominance over the world slipped from their grasp—and they effectively paved the way for the “American Century” that continues to this day—can be regarded as a remarkable turning point in history.

The course covers a broad chronological and thematic span, from Europe’s rise as a world-dominating continent in the early 19th century to the end of that era in the early 20th century. The course focuses on the political, economic, and cultural developments of the European powers during this period, as well as their foreign and trade policy ambitions on the world stage. Particular attention is given to the Habsburg Monarchy, which, as a multinational state, was regarded as a special case in the Europe of nation-states by the second half of the 19th century at the latest, and whose development differed from that of the other European states in many other respects as well.

The course covers the following topics:

• A short introduction on what is Europe (geographical, cultural and religious aspects)
• Enlightened reforms versus Absolutism
• The Napoleonic Wars and the “System of Vienna” of 1815
• The European Revolutions of 1848 and the struggle for constitutionalism
• (Multi-)Nationalism and nation states
• Social and economic development in 19th century Europe
• Colonialism and European dominance of the world
• The First World War and the “System of Paris” of 1919/1920

Requirements: The grading is based on participation during class (20%), a short paper of 8,000–10,000 characters, including spaces (40%) and the written final exam consisting of 20 multiple choice questions (40%).