unit 7 country summary (in class 2/7, lecture version)

Great Britain in the 19th Century

• Main Objective: Avoid revolution by appeasing the populace.

• Key Reform Bills:

  • Reform Bill of 1867: Extended voting rights to all working males.

  • Reform Bill of 1884: Included farmers, making Britain a universal manhood suffrage country.

• Democratic Progress: By the turn of the century, Britain and France emerge as the most democratic nations in Europe.

France Post-Franco Prussian War

• Consequences: Lost key territories to Prussia (Germany) and Italy, contributing to resentment and revolutionary zeal.

• Napoleon III: Overthrown after multiple failures, including his attempts to reestablish an empire and the unsuccessful French intervention in Mexico.

• Key Territory: Alsace-Lorraine, significant in the buildup to World War I due to historical disputes.

• Third Republic: Established after Napoleon III’s downfall, it becomes France's most successful republic.

  • Political Structure: Bicameral legislature with a national assembly dominated by conservatives.

  • Efforts to balance power with a premier and president system.

Spain's Decline

• Leadership: Transition from Ferdinand VII to Alfonso XII, maintaining a constitutional monarchy.

• Spanish-American War: U.S. defeats Spain, leading to loss of key territories (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines), marking Spain's decline.

• Industrial Revolution Effects: Rise of radical groups, including socialists and anarchists, as responses to the conservative regimes.

Italy's Unification Challenges

• Post-Unification Issues: Regional differences and dialects hinder national cohesion, particularly between the industrial North and agrarian South.

• Conservative Rule: Strong conservative elements persist post-unification, leading to high levels of corruption and disenfranchisement.

Germany under Bismarck

• Unification Success: Achieved through diplomatic skill, bridging between conservative and liberal factions.

• Social Reforms: Bismarck implements social security and health regulations to diminish the appeal of socialism while maintaining conservative governance.

• Leadership Change: Kaiser Wilhelm II's ascension marked Bismarck's dismissal, leading to a more autocratic rule.

Austria-Hungary

• Nationalism as a Downfall: Ethnic tensions rise, fueled by a dual monarchy that fails to satisfy diverse nationalities and creates conflict.

• Key Figure: Adolf Hitler’s ideologies stem from the nationalistic sentiments exacerbated in this environment.

Russia's Political Landscape

• Alexander II: Liberator of the serfs, but his assassination leads to a reversion to conservatism under his son, Alexander III.

  • Policies: Strengthened secret police and initiated Russification—enforcing Russian language and culture, deeply unpopular.

• Nicholas II: Unprepared leadership as the last czar, inherits a tumultuous political environment amid rising revolutionary sentiments.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on understanding political developments across these nations as a foundation for the upcoming exam.

• Engaging review activities planned to consolidate understanding of key concepts and figures discussed.

Concise Version

Great Britain in the 19th Century: Main goal was to avoid revolution through appeasement.

• Reform Bill of 1867: Extended voting rights to all working males.

• Reform Bill of 1884: Included farmers, leading to universal male suffrage.

• By the turn of the century, Britain and France were the most democratic in Europe.

France Post-Franco Prussian War:

• Lost Alsace-Lorraine and key territories, resulting in resentment.

• Napoleon III was overthrown after several failures; the Third Republic was established and marked France's political stability.

Spain's Decline:

• Transitioned to a constitutional monarchy under Alfonso XII.

• The Spanish-American War resulted in significant territorial losses, exacerbating Spain's decline.

• The Industrial Revolution incited radical groups against conservative regimes.

Italy's Unification Challenges:

• Regional differences hindered national cohesion, with corruption persisting within conservative rule.

Germany under Bismarck:

• Unification achieved through diplomacy; social reforms were implemented to counter socialism.

• Bismarck was dismissed by Kaiser Wilhelm II, leading to autocracy.

Austria-Hungary:

• Nationalism led to ethnic tensions and conflict, influencing later figures like Adolf Hitler.

Russia's Political Landscape:

• Alexander II's reforms ended after his assassination; Alexander III reverted to conservatism and initiated Russification.

• Nicholas II struggled with rising revolutionary sentiments as the last czar.

Conclusion: Focus on understanding political developments for exam preparation, with planned activities to consolidate knowledge.