History of Modern Europe - I (c. 1780-1939)

By N. Malemsanba Meetei | Assistant Professor, Department of History, G.P. Women’s College, Dhanamanjuri University

Learners enrolled: 223

This course is intended to present an overview of the history of what is known as ‘Modern Europe’. In fact it has been designed to provide a comprehensive account of the emergence of Modern Europe in the 18th century and introduces us to the important historical events and processes that went into the making of it. The course is meant to acquaint students especially at the undergraduate level with the history of the emergence of Modern Europe.

The course attempts to study wider ideas, social forces, movements, institutions, individuals and so on in order to understand why and how Modern Europe emerged within a chronological framework. At first the course discusses thoroughly, with an aim to showcase the significance of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era. It further examines the forces of Conservatism that were dominant in the first half of the 19th century and the revolutionary movements.

The course examines the industrial revolution in Europe, especially with the case studies of Britain, France, Germany and Russia, that transformed to a large extent the nature of the production process prevalent in the pre-capitalist phase. The nature of this transformation influenced all aspects of society and economy, including demography, family, gender relationship and so on.

In addition to this, the course introduces new ideas that emerged between the mid 18th and mid 19th centuries in Europe that significantly influenced the socio-political and economic developments in Europe. And at last, the course focuses on the emergence of nationalism and modern nation-states in Europe with the case studies of Germany, Italy, Ireland and the Balkans.

After successful completion of this course the learners are expected to understand the history of Modern Europe—the significance of the French Revolution, role of intellectuals, emergence of new ideas, forces of conservatism, Napoleonic era, etc. Above this the learners are expected to learn the significance of the revolutions of 1820’s & 1830’s, industrial revolution and its impacts and modern nation-states in Europe.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	15 weeks
Category :	History
Credit Points :	5
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	13 Jan 2025
End Date :	30 Apr 2025
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2025
Exam Date :	17 May 2025 IST
NCrF Level	5.0
Industry Details :	Teaching
EXAM SHIFT :	I

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

WEEK 1

The National Revolutions of 1848-50

Counter-Revolution of 1848

Nationalism

Pre-Industrial Era

WEEK 2

Industrialization in France and Germany

Agrarian economy and Society in France, Germany and Netherlands in Eighteenth century

Enlightenment in France and Beyond

Enlightenment, Key Figures, Societal Impacts

WEEK 3

Liberal reforms in Europe

Nationalism and the evolution of the modern State in 19th Century Europe

Agrarian Economy and Society in England

Working class movement and chartist movement

WEEK 4

Part one: Movements for social revolution in Europe

Part two: Movements for social revolution in Europe

Liberal Revolutions in Europe

Nationalism, Empire development and Ottoman Empire

The Metternich System 1815-30

WEEK 5

Political System and its Transformations in Britain

The Romantic Revolutionaries and the Restored Monarchies

Napoleon as an Emperor (1804-1808)

The continental system of Napoleon

WEEK 6

The evolution of European Social Classes (Part-I)

The evolution of European Social Classes (Part-II)

The evolution of European Social Classes (Part-III)

WEEK 7

Evolution of Socialism

The downfall of Napoleon

The Consulate regime of Napoleon

WEEK 8

Industrialization in France and Germany during 1851-1914

Reform Act of 1832 and British Modernization

Balkan Nationalism under the Ottoman Empire

WEEK 9

The Economic Revolution of 1830-48

Idea of National Identities in Eastern Europe

Demographic change from mid 18th century to mid 20th century in Europe

WEEK 10

Family, Gender and the process of Industrialization

Industrial Revolution in England

Financial and Technological Dimension for the Industrial Revolution

WEEK 11

Part one: Unification of Germany

Part two: Unification of Germany

Unification of Italy

Causes of French revolution

WEEK 12

Crisis of ancient regime

Intellectual revolution in France

Impact of Industrialization on urban growth

WEEK 13

Town types, layouts and demographic composition

Liberalism, utilitarianism and Laissez-fair in the 18th – 19th Century

Rise of Napoleon

WEEK 14

Industrialization in Russia during 1851-1914 ( Part-I)

Industrialization in Russia during 1851-1914 ( Part-II)

Bonapartism and Bismarckism

WEEK 15

Monarchy to Democratization in 19th century Europe

Part one: The first phase of the French revolution: The constitutional Monarchy

Part two: The second phase of French revolution: The democratic revolution

Books and references

C.M. Ciipolla: Fontana Economic History of Europe, Volume III: The industrial revolution
E.J. Haobsbawn : The age of Revolution
James Joll, Europe Since 1870
David Landes : Prometheus unbound
George Lefebvre, Coming of the French revolution
Fernand Braudei, History and the Social Science in M. Aymard and H. Mukhia Ed. French Studies in History, Vol. I (1989)
E.J. Hobsbawm, Nations and Nationlism
E.P. Thompson: Making of the English class

Instructor bio

N. Malemsanba Meetei

Assistant Professor, Department of History, G.P. Women’s College, Dhanamanjuri University

N. Malemsanba Meetei is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History, G.P Women’s College, Dhanamanjuri University. He has received his M.Phil degree from University of Delhi, Delhi. He has teaching experience of more than 14 years and teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students. His areas of interest are World history, Modern Indian History and Regional History.

He has published many articles in many national and international journals. He has also contributed chapters for books. He has presented papers in national and international conferences and seminars.