Otto von Bismarck
History 117 -- Europe
in the Nineteenth Century
California
State University, Sacramento
Department of History
College of Arts and Letters
Fall 2000
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Louis Napoleon Bonaparte
The course has no formal prerequisites, although a background in modern
western civilization (History 5 or 50) is helpful.
History 117 is intended primarily for History and Social Science majors
and for students interested in European history in the nineteenth
century. It does not fulfill requirements in the CSUS General
Education Program.
The course focuses mainly on politics and society in France and Germany with some attention to cultural trends. It stresses the differing political traditions in these two countries, and addresses some very interesting questions, such as: Why was France more susceptible than Germany to revolution in the 19th century? What happened to Germany, the "nation of poets and dreamers," in the course of the 19th century? After several revolutionary upheavals and constitutional experiments, why did France choose the republic as its permanent form of government in the 1870's? What was the impact of Otto von Bismarck on the political culture of Germany? How did a great war emerge from the progressive, technological, and seemingly pacific culture of 19th century Europe?
The course stresses an orderly presentation of historical material, informal class participation and critical thinking. Students will be expected to absorb the basic factual data presented and to write three critical essays on 19th century historical issues.
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Instructor: George S. Craft
More information is available on Dr. Craft's homepage. You may contact the instructor via e-mail at gcraft@csus.edu.