ACE European History Lecture Notes

Instructor Introduction

• Instructor: Jerry Russell
• Institution: Apopka High School
• Experience: 21 years teaching AP, first year teaching ACE European History
• Focus: Unit 3 - Liberalism and Nationalism in Germany, 1850-1871

Historical Context

• 1815: Congress of Vienna post-Napoleonic Wars
  • Start of the unit, era of conservatism
  • German states not unified; existed as the German Confederation
• Key Figures: Begins with Prince Metternich (Austria), ends with Otto von Bismarck (Prussia)

Key Concepts

Conservatism

• Aim to maintain status quo; conservative leaders wary of liberalism & nationalism
• Dominant in Europe post-1815
• Prince Metternich: Key conservative leader, "The Rock of Order"
  • Maintained Austrian dominance; anti-nationalism and anti-liberalism
  • Hosted Congress of Vienna

Liberalism

• Associated with middle class: business people, doctors, lawyers
• Desired a constitutional monarchy, not a republic
• Advocated for removing tariffs, fostering economic competition
• Saw democracy as dangerous due to potential mob rule

Nationalism

• Belief in unity of people with common language, culture, history
• Threatened multi-national empires like Austria
• Often intertwined with liberalism

Germany Pre-Unification

• Holy Roman Empire: Dissolved by Napoleon, led to formation of the German Confederation
• Prussia: Largest state in the north, authoritarian monarchy
  • Influential class: Junkers (landowning conservatives)
  • Expanded post-Congress of Vienna, became a strong state

1848 Revolutions

• Push for liberal reforms and national unity
• Metternich's efforts to suppress liberalism and nationalism led to measures like the Carlsbad Decrees (censorship, surveillance)

Cultural and Political Influence

• Influence of Liberal Ideas: Emergence of middle class, exposure to revolutionary ideas
• Guilds: Similar to workers' unions, dissolved to allow open employment
• Student Movements: Advocated for liberal and nationalistic ideas

Key Events and Terms

• Hambach Festival: Liberal and nationalistic, opposed by conservatives
• Göttingen Seven: Professors fired for protesting against political repression
• The Brothers Grimm: Collected German folktales, considered nationalists

Notable Figures

• Frederick Wilhelm IV: Ruler of Prussia, conservative yet reform-minded

Summary

• Unit encompasses significant shifts in political thought, from conservatism to liberalism and nationalism.
• Metternich's era ends with rising movements challenging the old order.