Turning Points in Modern European History: Comprehensive guide
on lectures and tutorials year 2020
Timeline of important dates
410: Sacking of Rome by barbarian tribes 476: Fall of Roman Empire
8th century: Carolingian Renaissance
1000-1200: 'Renaissance of 12th century'
1500: Modern Renaissance
16th century: Reformations
1648: Treaty of Westphalia. Marks the end of the 30 Year's War 18th century: Enlightenment
l 776: American Declaration of Independence. Based on Enlightenment and sparks ideas of future revolutions
1789: French Revolution
1804: Napoleon Empire
1814: Congress of Vienna restores legitimate monarchs and balance of power
1815: Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo.
1848: Liberal Revolutions. Embracing Nationalism, Darwin/Marx
1852: 2nd French Empire
1861: Unification ofItaly. Victor Emanuelle II with the help of Garibaldi = unified nation state ofltaly 1870/71:
Germany unified. Franco-Prussion War, Bismarck as Chancellor
19th century: Industrial Revolution
1914: WWI
1918: End of WWI. Treaty ofVersaille
1929: Global economic depression
1939: WWII
1945: End of WWII
Lecture 1: The Beginning of European History (500)
Humanist invented division between antiquity/middle ages/contemporary. Categorisation still in use but
criticised.
Humanists 15116th century: thought past (roman empire) was height of civilisation, middle ages= darkness
Historians: European history began at the crash of Roman empire= Francois Guizots pluralist narrative.
Fragmented European politics, economics and religion can be seen as a cause of European dynamism.
Pluralism created dynamism: "unity in diversity", liberal narrative special to Europe.
Turning point: Roman Empire 476 apocalypse
Background info:
395: Division of Eastern/Western Empire
410: Sacking of Rome
476: Fall of Western Roman empire
, Violent, unequal and cruel society but with good organisation: network of cities, imperial elite
organised, city based with tax system = growth
The empire was destroyed by 'barbaric savages'. It was a fall of a highly developed civilisation. Most
important to the humanist was the first sacking of Rome. The sacking of rome by gothic armies in
410 is likened to 9-11.
Classic humanist idea: sudden collapse from civilisation into total darkness.
Turning point: Is there continuity or survival of the roman empire in the west?
Yes:
I. Roman sources: contemporaries didn't see the collapse of the empire as a sudden rupture but rather a
continuity.
2. Barbaric tribes accepted Roman culture and formed a new elite with Roman habits.
3. Only Western empire fell, Eastern empire continued for 1000 years
No:
1. Rome/city based empires shrunk, as did trade.
2. Trade now on a local scale
3. Loyalty to empire transferred over to the kings of the barbaric tribes
Legacy:
In some ways, there is a very important legacy in Europe history.
1. The idea of
empire reoccurs
Using symbols, ideology etc. Even Napoleon used his image as that of a Roman in 19th century Europe. Using
known roman symbols to express power.
2. Legacy of Roman Law
There is a legal unity in Europe which incorporates roman law. This law continues through the middle ages in
undeveloped societies.
3. Catholic church
Spiritual success to the Roman empire. Continuation of language, administration, clothing. Relevant to
modern day pope, adapted roman abstract thinking.
4. Cities
Continuity of Rome in modern Europe. 18th/19th century Europeans identified with roman adoptive as a
predecessor of modern day. Visually, the impact of the roman empire can be seen throughout Europe today.
Lecture 2: The Medieval Making of Europe (1200)
Background info:
'The Renaissance of the 12th century'
,1000-1800 is argued by some to be more of a turning point. This period shows a shift from pure agrarian
society to a commercial/agrarian one. The shift begins in 1000 and in the 14th century the growth ends.
In terms of social history, Rome and the Renaissance are less important than the shift to industrial society in
the 1000s.
In the 15th/16th century there was a simplification (or downsizing) of societies. Economies became less
advanced and trade became localised.
Charlemagne (Charles the Great):
- Renevatio imperii in Western Europe (rivalry with Byzantine)
- Pope crowned Charlemagne emperor
- Ruled over early EU, used to inspire integration
- Carolingian Renaissance: end of antiquity?
Carolingian Renaissance is a cultural and intellectual revival which started during the reign of
Charlemagne in the late 8th century and lasted unti I the breakup of Charlemagne's empire at the end
of the 9th century.
1000-1300: Expansion in Europe
- Population growth (trade, agriculture production etc.) from 40million to 80 million
- Commercial capitalism and growth of cities
- Dynamism, growth of literacy.
Aristocracy
Feudal revolution and early state formation
Holy Roman Empire:
- Administration by the clergy and it's disadvantages (competition with the pope)
- From the 11th/12th century the pope wants to lead Christianity
- Loyalty to the pope and the emperor
- Clashed between pope and empire= defeat of neither of them leading christianity (one of the
causes of the empires demise)
- Imperial overstretch
State formation and war:
- C Tilly: States make war and war make states
- Medieval arms race
- From dynastic state to national state - Sacrality
Conclusion (states)
I. Period 950-1300 founding nucleus for most european nation states
2. No uniform development (diverging paths)
3. From dynastic state to national
4. States make wars
, Expanding Europe: Urbanisation
- Origins: Agricultural revolution and population growth, more commerce and stability
- City: "spacial concentration of people that do not produce it's own food" (blockmans)
- Sources of growth: commerce, admin, church
Modern Public administration:
- Citizenship and the principle of legal equality
- Public taxation and accountability - Welfare
- Control of conflict mediation
- Rational mentality (eg. clocks) - Res publica (common good)
Turning point?
Middle Ages: Slow turning point but socio/economic factors are often forgotten.
Yes:
I. Slow shift from pure agrarian society to a commercial/agrarian one
2. Population growth (trade, agriculture production etc.) from 40million to 80 million - Commercial capitalism and
growth of cities
3. Commercial capitalism and growth of cities
4. Period 950-1300 founding nucleus for most european nation states
5. Public admin (legal equality, welfare, res publica)
6. 'The Renaissance of the 12th century': intellectual continuity
No:
1. Idea of change was not noticed to contemporaries
2. Return of medieval city
3. Christianity still main religion
4. Still very decentralised
Lecture 3: A modern Renaissance? (1500)
In the 16th century, change was regarded as undesirable. Change wasn't depicted as something 'new', but
more of a return to an earlier stage, as 'new' was not viewed positively.
The 16th century as rupture:
I. New developments took place including the printing press (late 15thc). Changed political, social and
economic relationships. Became deeply tangled in politics. Printing spread word at a fast pace, more
accurately. Contributed to the schisms in religion. Censorship grew from the spreading of knowledge.
Pamphlet war developed between Catholic/Protestants.
