This course will concentrate on select aspects of modern Europe from 1870-1945.  Major themes of the period will be discussed, ranging from industrialization and modernization, nationalism and the end of Empires, the origins and impact of World War I, Fascism, Communism and World War II, to create a clearer picture of the continent’s history in the post-1870 era. Students that successfully complete the course will acquire a sound understanding of the major events, leaders and debates in European history from 1870-1945. 

There will be two class meetings per week. Lectures will be followed by questions and discussion. Students should come to lectures prepared, completing the assigned readings before each class.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

      1) Describe the major themes and events of post-1870 Europe

      2) Use the historical perspective provided to analyze contemporary Europe

3) Demonstrate how European history took specific turns within different European states and regions

      4) Explain and compare changing political ideologies to better understand political and social development

      5) To learnedly discuss the interplay of social, political and economic forces with reference to concrete historical events in select case studies

      6) Reflect in a historically acute way on Europe’s history and development throughout this period.

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B: This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D: This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

January

16        Introduction and Organization.

18        Industrialization and Modernization

23        Democracy and Welfare

25        Socialism and the Working Class

30        European Imperialism.

February

1          France. The Third Republic

3          Spain under the Constitutional Monarchy.

6          Giolitti and Democratic Liberalism in Italy.

8          Imperial Russia.

13        Austria-Hungary. 

15        The Making of Germany.

20        Imperial Rivalries and the Origins of World War I.

22        Memory and the Aftermath of War

27        Review Class

29        Mid-Term Exam

March

5          The post-war Crises. Collective Security, Disarmament, Economic Depression: the Search for Stability.

7          The Russian Revolution.

9          Recasting Democracy, Fr and GB

12        Stalin’s USSR.

14        Mussolini and the Rise of Italian Fascism.

26        The Weimar Republic

28        The Rise of Nazism

April

2          Life in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany

4          The Spanish Civil War and Franco.

11        The Road to World War II.

16        From Blitzkrieg to Total War: Germany Defeated. The End of European Supremacy.

18        The Final Solution

23        Conclusions