Chapter 15: The Age of Nationalism, Realism, and Mass Politics

Reading Guide

France Under Napoleon III

  1. According to Ethel in paragraph 1 and 2, why did the Revolutions of 1848 fail (be specific), and what was the new period after 1850 characterized by?
  1. How did Louis Napoleon Bonaparte come to be emperor of the Second French Empire, rather than president of the SecondFrenchRepublic?
  1. Describe the crazy way Napoleon III was a mix of classical liberal economics and politics, along with seemingly conservative social and political aspects in other ways? Discuss his international political goals, as well.
  1. Famously, what did Napoleon III do to Paris during his reign as Emperor? What various goals did he have in mind when he made these changes?

Crimean War

  1. Define the Crimean War. In what ways was the Crimean War an example of “modern warfare?”
  1. How did the war change the international political scene in Europe?

Italian Unification

  1. What had Mazzini tried to accomplish in 1848? Who became the new focus on unification’s hopes after 1848?
  1. Who was Cavour and how did he work to appeal to the aristocracy, middle class, and the international forces concerned with Italy?
  1. How did Cavour unite Northern Italy? Southern Italy (I should see mention of Garibaldi here.)
  1. What was Italy like after Unification? When did Venice and Rome join?

German Unification

11. What was the Zollverein and why was it important to Prussia?

12. Name and describe the two big names behind German unification.

  1. Define realpolitik. The FULL definition.
  1. What did Prussia and Austria take from Denmark in 1864? Who took which part?
  1. In the 2nd of Bismarck’s wars (this one against Austria) how did Bismarck get Austria to go to war with Prussia? What was the outcome (include the North German Confederation).
  1. Based on your reading of the “Blood and Iron” speech of Bismarck and his actions in wars to unify Germany, how does Bismarck exemplify realpolitik?
  1. How did Bismarck get France to declare war on Prussia? How did this Franco-Prussia war end (give me details!)

NationBuilding (1850-1914)

  1. What was the Paris Commune and why did it come into being?
  1. Describe the Third Republic of France (basics, weaknesses, etc.) Until what date did it last?
  1. Describe the Dreyfus Affair, including a discussion of Emile Zola’s role (and his book’s!) in it.
  1. What was the Dual Monarchy? What was the result of its creation for the Austrian Empire?
  1. Describe the major reforms of Russian Tsar Alexander III, including his changes for serfs and zemstvos. Ironically for this reformer, what was his fate in 1881?
  1. In what ways did Russia industrialize in this era. What were the limitations to that industrialization?
  1. Ok. This is an important one. Describe the new argument about Communism made by Lenin in his pamphlet, What is to be Done? - - check out the brief excerpt from the source on p. 381, too.
  1. What event was caused by the Russo-Japanese war of 1905? Describe the aftermath.
  1. Describe the 2nd and 3rd Reform Bills of Britain during the Victorian Era. Also, who were the competing Prime Ministers of the age?
  1. What was the issue of Irish home rule, and which two men fought to make it a reality? What was the outcome?

Realism in Science and the Arts

  1. Briefly, who were:
  2. Pasteur
  1. Curie
  1. Planck
  1. Einstein
  1. Describe the ideas of Darwin in On the Origin of Species. How did Herbert Spencer corrupt these ideas?
  1. Describe the birth of the social sciences and the role of Freud, especially.
  1. Pick a realist novelist or artist. Name and describe their work.
  1. Define “mass politics.”
  1. Describe the women’s suffrage movement, including naming significant figures in its development.
  1. In what ways were socialists successful in this period? Include a description of the Second International and its importance.

WHEW!!!