Courses

Course

European Civilization, 1648-1945

Yale University

This course offers a comprehensive survey of modern European history, spanning from the end of the Thirty Years' War to the aftermath of World War II. Key components of the course include:

  • Major historical events and figures, including the French Revolution and Napoleon.
  • The experiences of ordinary people during times of upheaval and transition.
  • Exploration of themes such as demographic change, political revolutions, and cultural development.
  • Analysis of exemplary works of art, literature, and cinema that reflect historical contexts.

Students will engage with a variety of sources, both textual and visual, to understand the complexities of this transformative period in European civilization.

Course Lectures
  • Introduction to European Civilization
    Introduction to European Civilization
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module introduces European history from 1648 to 1945, highlighting significant events and figures while focusing on the development of themes over time. It encourages students to consider:

    • The consolidation of state power.
    • The formation of identities and affiliations.
    • The impact of economic change on society.

    Students will explore both historical texts and works of fiction, examining the experiences of groups often marginalized in traditional histories.

  • Absolutism and the State
    Absolutism and the State
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module examines the rise of absolutism in Europe, particularly in the context of the religious wars and the devastation of the Thirty Years' War. Key topics include:

    • Reasons nobles surrendered independence to monarchs for protection.
    • The formation of large standing armies and bureaucratic systems.
    • The impact of these changes on municipal privileges and the emergence of international law.

    Students will analyze the consequences of this consolidation of power across Europe.

  • Dutch and British Exceptionalism
    Dutch and British Exceptionalism
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module explores why Great Britain and the Netherlands resisted adopting absolutism, contrasting with other European powers. Factors influencing this phenomenon include:

    • The existence of a relatively large middle class.
    • National traditions of resistance stemming from historical conflicts.
    • The role of anti-absolutism in shaping national identity linked to Protestantism.

    Students will analyze how these elements contributed to a culture of decentralized mercantile activity distinct from the militarism of absolute monarchies.

  • Peter the Great
    Peter the Great
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module delves into the historical significance of Peter the Great, focusing on his military ambitions and efforts to modernize Russian culture. Key aspects include:

    • The expansion of the Russian Empire.
    • Introduction of Western customs and ideas into Russian society.
    • The conflict between Westernizers and Slavophiles during and after his reign.

    Students will explore how Peter's legacy continues to influence Russia's relationship with the West and its internal political dynamics.

  • The Enlightenment and the Public Sphere
    The Enlightenment and the Public Sphere
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module investigates the Enlightenment's influence on the public sphere in France leading to the Revolution. Students will explore:

    • The works of major philosophers like Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire.
    • The role of popular press and pamphleteers in shaping public opinion.
    • How writings contributed to the desacralization of monarchy and critiques of despotism.

    Through this analysis, students will understand the cultural transformation that set the stage for revolutionary sentiments.

  • Maximilien Robespierre and the French Revolution
    Maximilien Robespierre and the French Revolution
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module focuses on Maximilien Robespierre's pivotal role in the French Revolution, highlighting his philosophical insights and political strategies. Key topics include:

    • Robespierre's ascetic lifestyle and its influences on his revolutionary philosophy.
    • The perception of threats from both foreign adversaries and domestic counter-revolutionaries.
    • The varying levels of religious commitment across different French regions impacting support for the monarchy or Revolution.

    Students will analyze the complexities and contradictions inherent in Robespierre's revolutionary ideals and their implications for France.

  • Napoleon
    Napoleon
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module examines the life and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte, considering his Corsican origins and their influence on his actions. Students will explore:

    • Napoleon's disavowal of his Corsican identity in favor of French nationalism.
    • The debate over whether he inaugurated the era of total war.
    • The implications of his military campaigns on modern warfare concepts.

    Through this exploration, students will engage with the complexities of Napoleon's identity and his lasting impact on Europe.

  • Industrial Revolutions
    Industrial Revolutions
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module investigates the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing its gradual nature and regional variations across Europe. Key themes include:

    • The contrast between rapid industrialization in England and slower processes in countries like France.
    • The significance of the Agricultural Revolution in facilitating urban expansion.
    • The emergence of new labor systems and the impact of mechanization on workers.

    Students will analyze how these developments transformed European societies and economies, leading to systematic changes in labor practices.

  • Middle Classes
    Middle Classes
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module explores the rise of the bourgeoisie in the nineteenth century, emphasizing its diversity and influence on society. Key points include:

    • The plural nature of middle classes and their quest for power based on property rights.
    • Critiques of contemporary stereotypes of the bourgeoisie as solely greedy.
    • The positive contributions of middle classes, including philanthropy and public education.

    Students will assess how this emerging class shaped social structures and cultural norms, contributing to broader historical narratives.

  • Why No Revolution in 1848 in Britain
    Why No Revolution in 1848 in Britain
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module examines the absence of revolution in Britain during 1848, despite social tensions. Key factors influencing this phenomenon include:

    • The success of reformist political measures that addressed grievances.
    • The emergence of a non-violent Chartist movement advocating for reform.
    • The development of a British self-identity rooted in respectability.

    Students will explore how these dynamics influenced political stability in Britain relative to other European nations experiencing revolutions.

  • Nineteenth-Century Cities
    Nineteenth-Century Cities
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module explores the unprecedented urbanization of the nineteenth century and its societal implications. Key topics include:

    • The class segregation resulting from urban growth.
    • The contrasting experiences of working classes in Europe versus the United States.
    • The associated rhetoric of disease and decay in urban centers.

    Students will analyze urban development patterns, including notable examples like Haussmann's reconstruction of Paris, to understand the intersection of capitalism and state power.

  • Nationalism
    Nationalism
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module investigates the complexities of nationalism in Europe, particularly in relation to the dissolution of empires. Key themes include:

    • The constructed nature of national identity and its historical context.
    • The role of language, religion, and ethnicity in forming national communities.
    • The implications of these constructs for ethnic minorities and state identity.

    Students will explore how nationalism influenced political movements and conflicts throughout the twentieth century, including the impact of nationalism on contemporary issues.

  • Radicals
    Radicals
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module examines socialism's evolution in the nineteenth century, distinguishing between reformist and revolutionary perspectives. Key elements include:

    • Reformist socialists advocating legal change through voting.
    • Revolutionary socialists who deemed reform efforts ineffective.
    • The roles of syndicalists and anarchists within the broader left-wing spectrum.

    Students will analyze how these differing ideologies shaped political discourse and activism during a transformative period in European history.

  • Imperialists and Boy Scouts
    Imperialists and Boy Scouts
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module explores the New Imperialism of the late nineteenth century, analyzing motivations and consequences of colonial expansion. Key themes include:

    • The three primary factors driving imperialism: religious proselytizing, profit, and inter-imperial strategy.
    • The connections between imperialism and the onset of World War I.
    • The cultural programs aimed at garnering domestic support for imperial objectives.

    Students will examine the Boy Scouts as a case study in cultural imperialism, reflecting on how national myths were reshaped for imperial contexts.

  • The Coming of the Great War
    The Coming of the Great War
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module examines the factors leading to World War I and the unexpected alliances that formed. Key topics include:

    • The widespread belief that a major war was imminent in the early twentieth century.
    • The complex motivations behind the entente between France, Britain, and Russia.
    • The cultural and territorial disputes, especially regarding Alsace-Lorraine, that fueled tensions.

    Students will analyze the interplay of economic interests and national identities that shaped the lead-up to the Great War.

  • War in the Trenches
    War in the Trenches
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module investigates the realities of trench warfare during World War I, highlighting its implications for military strategy and societal perceptions. Key elements include:

    • The transition from offensive strategies to defensive trench warfare.
    • The psychological impact of the stagnant, brutal conditions faced by soldiers.
    • The cultural memory and representation of World War I's horrors.

    Students will analyze how trench warfare transformed military tactics and affected public consciousness in combatant nations.

  • Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning (Guest Lecture by Jay Winters)
    Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning (Guest Lecture by Jay Winters)
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module discusses the evolution of commemoration in Europe following World War I, examining how these practices shaped collective memory. Topics include:

    • The differences in war understandings between Europe and the United States.
    • The role of mass media and memorial sites in fostering reconciliation.
    • The enduring influence of these commemorative practices on contemporary European society.

    Students will explore how sites of memory functioned to address the unprecedented consequences of war.

  • The Romanovs and the Russian Revolution
    The Romanovs and the Russian Revolution
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module investigates the Russian Revolution of 1917, focusing on the events leading to the overthrow of the Romanovs. Key topics include:

    • The dynamics between competing political factions during the February Revolution.
    • The fate of Nicholas II and Alexandra amidst revolutionary turmoil.
    • The delusions held by Nicholas regarding the support of the Russian people.

    Students will analyze how these events shaped Russia's political landscape and set the stage for the Bolshevik Revolution.

  • Successor States of Eastern Europe
    Successor States of Eastern Europe
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module explores the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe following World War I, specifically the emergence of successor states. Key themes include:

    • The Treaty of Versailles and its role in redrawing national borders.
    • The emergence of revisionist powers and their frustrations.
    • The scapegoating of ethnic minorities, particularly Jews, during this turbulent period.

    Students will analyze how these factors contributed to the ongoing conflicts leading up to World War II.

  • Stalinism
    Stalinism
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module examines Stalinism's key characteristics and historical context, particularly regarding the early years of the Russian Revolution. Key aspects include:

    • The archival evidence of repression present even in the Revolution's early stages.
    • Stalin's commitment to assimilating national identity within the Soviet State.
    • The violent purges and economic hardships faced by the populace under Stalin's regime.

    Students will analyze how Stalin's policies shaped Soviet society and the broader historical narrative of the period.

  • Fascists
    Fascists
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module investigates the rise of fascism in Germany, particularly through the lens of Adolf Hitler's early life and political career. Key themes include:

    • The socio-economic conditions that fostered support for National Socialism.
    • The link between postwar resentment and the persecution of minority populations.
    • The broader context of extreme right-wing movements across Europe.

    Students will analyze how these dynamics contributed to the establishment of Nazi Germany and its policies.

  • Collaboration and Resistance in World War II
    Collaboration and Resistance in World War II
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module explores the complex dynamics of collaboration and resistance during World War II in occupied Europe. Key aspects include:

    • The myth of reluctant collaboration and the reality of enthusiastic participation.
    • The motivations behind collaboration, including anti-Semitism and xenophobia.
    • The ongoing debates surrounding the narratives of collaboration and resistance in post-war Europe.

    Students will analyze how these narratives shaped collective memory and historical understanding in formerly occupied nations.

  • The Collapse of Communism and Global Challenges
    The Collapse of Communism and Global Challenges
    John Merriman
    Play

    This module examines the collapse of the Soviet Union and the factors contributing to this disintegration. Key themes include:

    • The rise of nationalism among satellite states.
    • Democratic opposition movements and their impact on Soviet governance.
    • The economic crisis that exacerbated these tensions.

    Students will analyze Mikhail Gorbachev's role in this process and the challenges faced by Europe in the aftermath of communism's collapse, including ethnic nationalism and immigration issues.

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