557 ■2 HoUinger Corp. pH 8.5 (^\)t sanilicrsitp of Cbica0O :XTENSION DIVISION D 359 .2 .G72 Copy 1 udy department Price, 10 Cts. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN NATIONS SYLLABUS OF A COURSE OF SIX LECTURE-STUDIES BY HOWARD B. GROSE, A. M., UNIVERSITY EXTENSION INSTRUCTOR IN HISTORY (CfiE Bnibcts'itu press of ■ffbicaoo Monograph o. c. heath a co. CHICAGO. BOSTON, NEW YORK, AND LONDON EXERCISES. Exercises on eacli week's lecture will be found below. An- swers in writing, to not more than two or three questions each week, are invited from all persons attending the lectures. They should be sent to H. B. Grose, University of Chicago, Chicago, and should arrive at least two days before the following lecture. Some signature, 'itnth the name of the local centre to lohich the ex- ercise is to be returned, should be given at the top of the first page The exercises will be returned, with marginal comments, at the Class, the following week, when further explanation of the gen- eral subject will be given, such as tlie students' exercises seem to call for. There will be an Examixatiox at the end of the course for students desiring to take it; and the credit given to students for this course will be based jointly upon the Exercises and the Examiuation. Members of the audience sending in answers to the weekly exercises are asked to kindly write on one side of the paper only and to leave abroad margin on tlic left liand. Any of the books referred to in these lectures may be ob- tained at special rates from The Uxiversity Press of Chicago, Chicago, 111. Prices will l)e quoted on a])plication. Copyrighted, 1.S92, by the University df Chicago. LECTUKE I A CKXTURY OF (iERMAX HISTORY. 1792-1892. J. Introduction. (I Central Tliouglit— tlie Estal>lislnnent of German Unity. This is tlie most important ])()litical event of tlie eentnry, /> Significance of tlie rise of Prussia as a State since 180C). This with its attendant conscqnences is justly regarded as one of the most momentous changes in the history of civilization. The new German Empire, which is a result, differs radically from the old in l)eing (1) purely German, (2) powerfully centralized, and (8) solely polit- ical, free from all ecclesiastical alliance. Among the Euroi>ean nations to-day (4ermany is the centre of in- terest. <• The ideas of nationality and unit\ ti-aced from their earliest api)eai-auce among the Germans to 1792. 11. Germany from 1792 to 1815. (I (^eiMiiauy in 1792 nominally the Holy Koman Emj>ire; in reality it consisted of two great and hostile mon- archies, two smaller sovereignties, 250 petty principalities, 50 imperial cities, and several hundred knights. People divided into three classes: (1) Nobles, (2) burghers, (3) peasants. Occujjations prescribed by law. Worst forms of mediaeval feudalism. 1) Immediate effects of French Kevolution upon (1) the people, slight; (2) the rulers, reactionary, inducing strengthened absolutism. r Shameful reign of Frederic William II of Prussia (1786- 97). Fatal weakness and indecision of Frederic William III (1797-1810). Defeat of Prussia, and downfall of Holy Roman Empire in 1806. Resignation of Francis II of Austria ended the existence of what was once one of the most influential empires in history (Aug. 6, 1806). 3 4 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN NATIONS. d Wretched condition of Germany from 1806 to 1813. Dee]^ huifiiliation and destructive partition of the proud Prussia of Frederic the Great. Yet these years, under Stein's influence, are morally among the most impressive in Prussia's history. Over-oppression arouses a new national life. e Napoleon's policy to destroy German nationality resulted in advantageous reaction ; revealed the weakness of the petty State system ; cleared the ground for reform, and stimulated the demand for constitutional representative government. f Frederic William's Appeal to his People (26th March, 1813), leading to the War of Liberation. Decisive victory of Leipsic begins Napoleon's destruction. Prom- ise of a constitution. III. From the Congress of Vienna to the Death of Frederic William III. a Period of the German Confederation.. Remaking the Map of Europe, destroyed by Napoleon. The Holy Alliance. Disappointment of liberal hopes in Prussia through the King's broken promises. h Introduction of the representative system in Saxe- Weimar and the South German States. Continued re- sistance of Austria and Prussia. Growth of popular sentiment, secret societies, and the Burschenschaft. Student excesses, Kotzebue's assassination, and republi- can movements, leading to the Karlsbad Decrees extin- guishing freedom of the press, restraining university teaching, forbidding societies and political meetings, and creating an inquisition for detection and punishment of political agitators. c Creation of the Provincial Diets, August 2, 1823. Death of Frederic William III in 1840. EXERCISES. 1. What position does the German Empire hold among the European Nations in respect to political and military power and intellectual influence? THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN NATIONS. 2. Compare the German Confederation of 1815 with the Ger- man Empire of to-day. 3. State the difference between the form of monarchical gov- ernment in Germany and that in England. 4. Indicate the principal factors which have brought Prussia to dominant power in Germany. LECTURE II. A CENTURY OF GERMAN HISTORY CONTINUED. I. Reign of Frederic William IV. (1840-1861). a Coronation of Frederic William IV. His refusal to grant a written constitution causes a revolt. Police re- strictions instead of popular government. Creation of the United Landtag, Feb. 3, 1847. Appearance of Bis- marck as a defender of absolutism. h Revolution of 1848. French overturning produces popular uprisings in Germany, proving widespread de- mand for representative government. National Assem- bly, organized May 18, 1848, adopts popular sovereignty; fails for want of authority. Attempt to establish a German Republic (llth September, 1848) easily sup- pressed. Riots in Vienna, led by students, result in overthrow and flight to England of Metternich. c Revolution in Berlin; severe street battles (18th March) between royal troops and people; humiliation of the king, who yielded all points in favor of representative government; William I opposes this, and is sent to Eng- land to escape wrath of mob. Government finally recovers courage, resorts to force, dissolves the United Landtag, and issues a constitution, democratic in charac- ter, providing for two elective Chambers. By this step (26th February, 1849) Prussia entered the ranks of mod- ern constitutional States. d King of Prussia, elected Emperor of the Germans by National Assembly, declines. Frankfort Parliament 6 THE J)EVELOI\MEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NATIONS. dies of weakness. Reaction triumpbant generally. Revolntionai-}^ violence defeated itself. Birth of the Union — League of the Three Kings (28th May, 1849). Prussia's plan defeated by Austria, and chance for lead- ership again lost for want of a great statesman. Re- gency of William; death of Frederic William IV (2d Jamiary, 1861). II. Reign of William I (i86i i888.) ii A new era begaji with the new ruler. Strong believer in the divine right of kingship, William I w^as Prussian, patriot, just, strong of will. He found a statesman and leader in Bismarck. Austria's hour had now. come. Bismarck's rise to power was her downfall. Diplomatic successes were for her no longer possible. Crisis of 1864. Prussia withdraws from the old Bund forever, June 14, 1866. War with Austria follows. Prussia wins at Kiuiiggratz (3rd July), and Austria is excluded from Germany. Unity through Prussia is now possilde. Bismarck resolved to secure it. h Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). Swift successes of German arms. Fren-ch defeat and humiliation. o, Establishment of the German Empire. Coronation of William I at Versailles. Triumphant return to Berlin. Bismarck's policy. The Culturkampf. Death of Will- iam I; brief reign of Frederic III. Succession of William II, the present Emperor. Retirement of Bis- marck. Absolutism revived. School Law and Army Bill. Traits of the young Kaiser. d Present position of Prussia. Militarism. Socialistic and liberal movements. Secret of power in the idea of Duty. Elements of national strength and greatness. III. Interview with Prince Bismarck. Bismarck's 77th Birthday. A day at Friedrichsruh. The great Chancellor in retirement. His views of present policy and future development. Stability of the Em- pire. " A foolish and erratic ruler the only power that can overthrow what has been liuilt u]).'' The outlook hopeful. Tin-: ])KVKi,(>i'.Mi:x'i' of tiik europkax xattons. 7 References: 1) For outline studies: Mackenzie's Tlie Nineteenth Century — a History. Fisher's Outlines of Universal History from page 498. Andrews' Institutes of General History, from page 3i9. Supple- mentary chapter of Bryce's The Holy Roman Empire. Whit- man's Imperial Germany. 2) For more extended Reading: Articles on Germany, Prussia and Austria in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Fay's Three Germairys. Murdock's The Reconstruction of Europe. Midler's Political History of Recent Times, an imijortant and accurate work. Von Sybel's TJie Fonnding of the German Empire, very able and clear in tracing the growth of popular sentiment and the attain- ment of Unity. Fyffe's History of Modern Europe, highly to be recommended. The Life and Times of Stein, by Prof. J. R. Seeley. Lowe's Prince Bismarck. In German, Treitschke's Deutsche Geschichte im XIX Jahrhundert. Klupfel's Die Deutsche Einheitshestrehungen seit 1815. Weber, Weltgc- schichte, 11. EXERCISES. 1. ^Yhat are the chief elements of strength in the character of the German people? 2. Are the present tendencies in Germany favorable or op- posed to (1) strongly centralized government, (2) State church or separation of State and church, (3) extension of constitutional government and a limited monarchy or sov- ereign supremacy, (4) popular rule or absolutism, (5) per- sonal and political liberty. 3. Suggest what changes in the Map of Europe, if any, will probably be made in the event of a great European war. LECTURE III. A CENTURY OF FRENCH HISTORY. 1792-1892. I. France from 1792 to 1815. (f The era of the people. France leads the nations in the overthrow of tyranny. Resume of the events of 1789. Effect of the Revolution and substitution of the modern for the mediieval state. War with the allied nations. 8 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUEOPEAIST NATIONS. The National Convention (21st September, 1792) pro- claims the French Republic. Execution of King and Queen (1793). Robespierre and the Terror (1793-94). Napoleon quells a Paris moL>, October 5, 1795. His rapidly rising fame as soldier. h Napoleon made First Consul (1799), Emperor (May, 1804). At the acme of power (1810). Downfall (1815). Two views of his character. What he accomplished. II. From the Congress of Vienna to the Franco-Prussian War. a Restoration of the Bourbons by the conquerors. Piti- able condition of the country; remarkable recuperation — a feature in which no nation has ever equalled France. h Revolution of 1830, overthrow of Charles X., elevation of Louis Phillippe, the citizen-king. Absolutist tenden- cies and repression of liberty breed revolutionary forces, which are for a time held in check. c Revolution of 1848, and proclamation of the Second French Republic. Louis Napoleon, elected president, swears faith to the Republic, but in four years usurps power and is declared Emperor. His home and foreign policy. Useless wars and expenditures. d Power of Prussia moves Napoleon to declaration of war. Bismarck and Von Moltke enact a Napoleonic surprise and conquest. End of the Napoleonic rule in France. e The Empire succeeded by a Republic. Another amazing exhibition of recuperative power. Growth and pros- perity of the nation. III. The France and French of To-day. a Government and policy. Military reorganization and strength. Elements of weakness. Socialistic and an- archistic forces. The land of agitators. The French peasantry and the Parisian populace. France an uncer- tain quantity in the present political situation. b Tendencies of French life and literature. Needed changes are (1 ) Less of Parisian domination, (2) In- creased religious liberty, (3) more and better education, free from ecclesiastical control. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUEOPEAN NATIONS. 9 c While France is recognized as a powerful military foe, her influence, political and moral, among the nations, is slight, not above that of a third-rate Power. References : 1) Articles on France and the French Revolution in the Ency do - pcedia Britannica; Mackenzie's The Nineteenth Century; Fisher's Outlines of Universal History ; Andrews's Institutes of General History. 2) Carlyle's French Revolution; Fyffe's History of Modern Europe ; Mtiiler's Political History of Recent Times ; Michelet's French Revolution ; Guizot's History of France ; Dickens's Tale of Two Cities; von Sybel's French Revolution; Murdock's Re- construction of Europe; Prof. J. R. Seeley's Napoleon the First; Ropes' The First Napoleon, advocating his cause in oppo- sition to the common view. C. K. Adams's Democracy and Monarchy in France. EXERCISES. 1. Give an estimate of the character of the First Napoleon, and of his services to France and the other nations. 2. Are the probabilities for or against the permanency of the French Republic? Give reasons. 3. Contrast the French with the German character. 4. State some of the beneficial effects of the French Revolu- tion (1 ) upon France, (2) upon other nations. LECTURE IV. A CENTURY OF RUSSIAN HISTORY. 1792-1892. I, Introduction. The new era beginning with Peter the Great (1698-1725). He established Russia as one of the great powers of Europe, and introduced many reforms, but altered the form of government to an absolute despotism, all decrees emanating from the sole will of the Emperor. A des- potism Russia remains. II. General Survey from the Period of the French Revolution. a Conditions of the national life in 1792: (1) Political, (2) Military, (3) Social. 10 THE DEVELOP^tlKXT UF THE EUKOPEAX XATIOXS. h The period of French Conquests, from 1797 to 1815. Growth without parallel. Nicholas succeeded Napoleon First as arbiter of the destinies of Europe. Revolu- tionary attempts of 1825. Territorial acquisitions. Dismemberment of Poland. Effects of the Revolution of 1848. r The Crimean War, which checked Prussia's schemes, and saved Euro|)e from an Eastern doinination. Pres- ervation of "the sick man" (Turkey) decreed by the Powers. d Reforms introduced by Nicholas II. Liberation of the serfs (48,000,000) in ^1861. Character of the present Czar. Limitations of reform efforts. III. Russian Characteristics and Civilization. e. References : Articles on Russia in EiicyclajJccdia Britannim. Wallace's Rus- sia, which gives doubtless the most accurate information concern- ing the life of the people. Kelly's Histonj of Russia. E. B. THK DEVELor^NlEXT OF THK Kl'Rol'KAX XATIONS. 11 Lanin's Eussian Traits and Terrors. Stepniak's Underground Russia and Russia under the Tzars. Tolstoi's Anna Karenina and War and Peace, which are valuable side-lights iqjon history, g-iving true glimpses of the life and moral sentiments of the peo- ple. See also Mackenzie and Miiller. Kennan's Century articles on Siberian exile. EXERCISES. Mention the chief cliaracteristics of tlie successive Russian rulers since Peter the Great, with the princi])al events of each reign. Will Russia dominate Euro[)e, or become pervious to west- ern civilization, experience reforms in government and society, and become one of the civilized and progressive nations? Give reason for your view. If Russia and France, allied, could have their desire, how would the Map of Europe be re-made? What territory does each nation wish to acquire? LECTURE Y. A CENTURY OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 1792-1892. 1. Introduction. Central Thought — Political and constitutional reforms. Remarkable advancement of civilization in this century. England the leader in popular sovereignty, veiled under the form of a limited monarchy. Growth of the idea and fact of self-government by the peoi>le. Condition of })arties and people in England in 1792. II. England from the French Revolution to the Crimean War. igotry reigned. Insurrections followed until a French army appeared and again subjugated the country. h Conspiracy of 183G, resulting in a new constitution. Reign of Queen Isabella; her overthrow in 1868. At- tempt to organize a Republic. Alfonso, son of Isabella, proclaimed king in 1874. Death in 1885. c A country of revolutions. Status of education and commerce. Religious fidelity and backward civilization. References: Miiller and Mackenzie. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Hales. The Story of Spain. EXERCISES. 1. Give brief account of the revolution accomplished by Garibaldi. 2. How long had the Popes maintained a temporal kingdom? Was it a political as well as a religious State? What was the nature and extent of its influence in Europe? 3. Characterize the i)resent system of government in Italy. State the general condition of the people as to wealth, education and morals. 4. What is the outlook for radical reforms or ])Opular govern- ment in Spain? 1000-1-93. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS pn 021 393 266 4 ^