List the post-1848 changes in European (and American) civilization introduced by the text at the beginning of Chapter 23.
Post-1848 changes included the rise of nationalism, the emergence of modern nation-states, increased political participation and social reforms, the spread of liberalism, and challenges to traditional monarchies.
How did the emergence of nationalism alter European society in both positive and negative ways?
Nationalism fostered a sense of unity and identity among people within nation-states, promoting independence and self-determination. However, it also led to ethnic conflicts, imperialism, and exclusionary practices against minorities.
What were the main features of the authoritarian nation-state built by Napoleon III?
Napoleon III's authoritarian nation-state featured strong centralized power, a controlled press, limited political opposition, and state-led economic modernization.
Which European leader first modeled the authoritarian nationalism that has been so often copied first by western and then by non-western leaders ever since?
Napoleon III is recognized as the first European leader to model authoritarian nationalism, influencing both Western and non-Western leaders.
Why did the voters of France elect Louis Napoleon president in 1848? Why did they elect him emperor a few years later ending the Second Republic?
Voters elected Louis Napoleon president due to his name association with Napoleon Bonaparte and promises of stability and order. They later supported his declaration as emperor due to perceived successes in governance and the desire for a strong leader.
What were some of the benefits Napoleon bestowed on his subjects?
Napoleon instituted legal reforms (like the Napoleonic Code), educational advancements, improved infrastructure, and economic stability, fostering a sense of nationalism.
Summarize Napoleon’s aggressive foreign policy.
Napoleon's aggressive foreign policy involved expansionist wars to increase French territory and influence, leading to multiple coalitions against France and eventual military defeats.
Did Napoleon III allow any political opposition to exist? Explain his political system and new constitution, and why it eventually broke down.
Napoleon III suppressed political opposition and limited civil liberties. His political system initially appeared to allow a degree of parliamentary power, but the eventual concentration of power led to dissatisfaction, contributing to the breakdown of his regime.
How were strong nation-states forged in Italy, Germany, and the United States?
Nation-states were forged through a combination of military force (e.g., wars of unification), political maneuvering (e.g., diplomatic agreements), and popular movements (e.g., nationalist uprisings).
Why was Italy before 1860 merely a “geographical expression” according to Metternich?
Metternich viewed Italy as a collection of fragmented states and regions lacking national unity or identity, rather than a cohesive nation.
What were the basic approaches to Italian unification (the Risorgimento)? Which one prevailed?
The basic approaches included the conservative strategy led by Cavour using diplomacy and military alliances and the radical approach led by Garibaldi's popular uprisings. Cavour's diplomatic and military strategy ultimately prevailed.
Who was Cavour? What were his visions for a unified Italy, and how did he hope to achieve this goal?
Count Camillo di Cavour was the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia. He envisioned a unified Italy under the leadership of the Sardinian monarchy and sought to achieve this through diplomatic alliances and military action.
How were Cavour’s hope for a unified Northern Italy saved after Napoleon III abandoned him?
Cavour's hopes were saved by nationalist sentiments and military victories against Austria, as well as opportunism from the uprisings in northern Italy which created favorable conditions for unification.
What was the nature and significance of Garibaldi’s liberation of Sicily and Naples in 1860? Why was Cavour so nervous about Garibaldi?
Garibaldi's campaign brought southern Italy under nationalist control and was significant for promoting unity. Cavour feared Garibaldi's popularity and the possibility of a radical republican government that could undermine his plans for a constitutional monarchy.
What were the problems faced by the (more or less) newly unified Italy in 1870?
Problems included regional divisions, economic challenges, political instability, and social unrest, particularly between the industrial North and the agrarian South.
What was the political and economic situation in the German Confederation after the failure of the Frankfurt Assembly?
The German Confederation faced political fragmentation, weak leadership, economic disparity among states, and continued division between liberals and conservatives after the Frankfurt Assembly failed to unify Germany.
Who was Bismarck? Describe Bismarck’s temperament, political views, and training prior to 1862 when he became chief minister for Prussia?
Otto von Bismarck was a pragmatic and cunning statesman known for his realpolitik approach. He had a conservative outlook and a background in law, which informed his diplomatic strategies.
What was the constitutional crisis in Prussia in 1862? How was Germany unified? Describe Bismarck’s methods. What were the long term results?
The constitutional crisis arose from conflicts between the monarchy and the parliament over military funding. Bismarck used war against Denmark, Austria, and France to unify Germany through a series of strategic conflicts, leading to the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871.
Why did the Prussian liberals make an about-face and support their old enemy Bismarck after 1866?
The Prussian liberals allied with Bismarck post-1866 due to his success in unifying Germany and their desire for political stability, despite previous conflicts.
What did the new German Constitution call for? Where did the power reside in Germany of 1871?
The new German Constitution established a federation with a strong Kaiser and Chancellor, with power largely residing in the federal government rather than in the constituent states.
How were territorial expansion and the issue of slavery related in the United States?
Territorial expansion in the U.S. often intensified the slavery debate, as new states had to decide on the legality of slavery, leading to conflicts like the Missouri Compromise and eventually the Civil War.
What were the causes of the Civil War in the United States?
Key causes of the Civil War included disputes over slavery, states' rights, economic differences, and political tensions, particularly after the election of Abraham Lincoln.
What enabled the North to defeat the South in the Civil War? How did a new American nationalism grow out of the war?
The North's industrial advantages, larger population, and better infrastructure enabled its victory. Post-war, a new nationalism emerged that emphasized unity and patriotism, while also addressing civil rights.
How did Russian and Ottoman leaders modernize their states?
Both leaders attempted modernization through reforms in military, administrative structures, educational systems, and economies to strengthen their states against internal and external pressures.
How did the political crisis in the mid-nineteenth century for Russia and the Ottoman Empire differ from that of Italy and Germany?
Russia and the Ottoman Empire faced crises stemming from ethnic diversity and internal decay, while Italy and Germany dealt with fragmentation and the struggle for unification.
Summarize the participants and events of the Crimean War. Why was the Crimean War a turning point in Russian history?
The Crimean War involved Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia, focusing on control of territories around the Black Sea. It marked a turning point as it exposed Russian weaknesses, leading to a series of reforms.
What was the status of the Russian serf in the early nineteenth century? What were the “Great Reforms”? How beneficial was the reform of 1861 to the serf?
Russian serfs were tied to the land and had limited rights. The Great Reforms, initiated in 1861, aimed to emancipate serfs, but the actual benefits were minimal, as land allocations were often insufficient.
Describe the progress Russia made toward industrialization from 1860 to WWI. Who was Sergei Witte and what were his plans for modernizing Russia?
Russia saw significant industrial growth, especially in railways and factories, driven by Witte's plans that included foreign investment and state-led projects to modernize the economy.
Describe the progress Russia made toward political and social democratization before WWI.
Political and social democratization in Russia was limited, with some reforms introduced, but continued autocracy and lack of genuine representation led to unrest and revolutionary movements.
What were the causes and consequences of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905?
Causes included competition over territories in Manchuria and Korea, while consequences included a humiliating defeat for Russia, increased domestic discontent, and the 1905 revolution.
What were the challenges faced by the Ottoman in their attempt to maintain control of such a vast empire?
Challenges included ethnic diversity, nationalism among subject peoples, economic struggles, and pressures from European powers seeking to exploit weaknesses.
Why did European powers support the Ottomans against the centralizing efforts of Muhammed Ali in Egypt?
European powers supported the Ottomans to maintain the balance of power and prevent the emergence of a strong, centralized state in Egypt that could threaten their interests.
What were the Tanzimat (Reorganization) Reforms?
The Tanzimat reforms were a series of government initiatives in the Ottoman Empire aimed at modernization, including legal, administrative, and educational reforms to centralize and strengthen the state.
Though well intentioned, how did these reforms contribute to the downfall of the Ottoman Empire?
While intended to modernize and strengthen the empire, these reforms often led to increased discontent among various ethnic groups and exacerbated nationalistic sentiments, contributing to instability.
How did the relationship between government and the governed change after 1871?
Post-1871, governments began to cater more to popular opinion and nationalism, leading to greater efforts at state-building and the establishment of social welfare policies.
Why did nationalism become a universal faith in Europe between 1870 and 1914?
Nationalism became widespread due to industrialization, the spread of mass communication, and the emergence of political movements that linked identity with national unity.
How did nationalism (the nation-state) gain the support of the broad masses of society?
Nationalism gained popular support through education, the promotion of national cultures, and political movements that emphasized collective identity and pride.
How will nationalism be used as an ideology to undermine socialism? Why do you suppose this is?
Nationalism could undermine socialism by appealing to national identity over class struggle, fostering unity among diverse social classes against perceived threats from socialists.
Was the new Germany a democracy? What was the structure of the new German Government?
The new Germany was a constitutional monarchy with democratic elements, including a Reichstag with elected representatives, but the Kaiser held significant power.
What was Bismarck’s relationship (after 1871) with (a) the Catholic Church, (b) the liberals, and (c) the socialists?
Bismarck was antagonistic toward the Catholic Church (Kulturkampf), initially cooperated with liberals but later clashed, and implemented social welfare laws to undermine the socialist movement.
What were the German social-welfare laws? What were their origins?
The German social-welfare laws, introduced by Bismarck, were designed to provide health insurance, accident insurance, and pensions, aimed at improving worker conditions and reducing socialist sympathy.
Who were the SPD? How successful were they in Germany?
The SPD (Social Democratic Party) was a major socialist party in Germany that advocated for workers' rights and reforms. They gained significant electoral support but faced repression.
What became of Napoleon III in France? And, what were the challenges face by the newly created Third Republic?
Napoleon III was captured during the Franco-Prussian War, leading to his fall from power. The Third Republic faced political instability, economic challenges, and social divisions.
What was the Paris Commune? What division in France did the Paris Commune expose once again?
The Paris Commune was a radical socialist government that ruled Paris for a brief period in 1871. It exposed deep divisions between the working class and the conservative establishment.
What programs and efforts allowed France to slowly form some stable sense of national unity after disasters of 1870-1871?
Programs included educational reforms, national festivities, and progressive policies aimed at integrating various regions and suppressing divisive ideologies.
What were the causes and outcome of the Dreyfus affair?
The Dreyfus Affair stemmed from the wrongful conviction of a Jewish army officer, highlighting anti-Semitism and social divisions. Its outcome involved public outcry and a push for civil rights.
What were the major political developments and issues in Britain (include: the Third Reform Bill 1884 and People’s Budget) and Ireland (include: Fenians, Home Rule and Ulsterites) in the late nineteenth century? Was the Irish problem solvable?
Key developments included the expansion of suffrage through the Third Reform Bill and budget proposals addressing social issues. In Ireland, nationalists pursued Home Rule against Unionist resistance, indicating a complex, unresolved political crisis.
What other areas of Europe will experience nationalists movements during the same time period?
Other areas experiencing nationalist movements included the Balkans, where various ethnic groups sought independence, such as the Serbs, Croats, and Bulgarians.
What new political arrangement emerged in Austria after its defeat by Prussia in 1866? How successful was Austria in defusing ethnic rivalries?
Austria established the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy, which allowed some autonomy to Hungary but struggled to manage ethnic tensions among diverse nationalities.
What were the costs and benefits of nationalism for ordinary people?
Costs included potential conflicts and discrimination against minority groups, but benefits included increased social cohesion, participation in governance, and a stronger national identity.
What were the various factors that threatened national unity in the late nineteenth century? Give examples.
Factors included ethnic rivalries, economic disparities, social inequalities, and political divisions, such as conflicts between nationalist movements and imperial governance.
How did governments contribute toward fostering a sense of national belonging to the common people?
Governments fostered national belonging through education, public ceremonies, propaganda, and the promotion of national languages and traditions.
The French philosopher Ernest Renan suggested that “national identity was based more on a people’s current desire for a common life and an invented, idealized past than on actual, true-to-life historical experiences.” What did he mean by this? Would you agree, or disagree, with this idea? Explain.
Renan's statement suggests that national identity is often shaped by collective aspirations and myths rather than strict historical accuracy. This perspective can be agreed upon as many nations emphasize a shared narrative over complex historical realities.
What were the foundations of the modern feminist movement?
The foundations included the demand for women's suffrage, access to education and employment, reproductive rights, and social reforms addressing inequality.
What methods did suffragettes use to achieve their objectives? How successful were they?
Suffragettes used protests, civil disobedience, lobbying, and public campaigns to advocate for voting rights, achieving varying degrees of success in different countries.
How did social class differentiate the Women’s Movement?
Social class affected women's movements by creating differing priorities; middle- and upper-class women often focused on voting rights, while working-class women emphasized labor rights and economic issues.