Metternich, Bismarck and the changing face of 19th Century Europe
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- Start Date: 15 Nov 2025End Date: 15 Nov 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:30 - 15:30In PersonFull fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00
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What is the course about?
The development of the German lands from the Holy Roman Empire to the unification of 1871 will be discussed in its wider European context. How did the preservation of a balance of powers in Europe as pursued by Metternich affect Austria’s standing in Germany? How far did the Prussian unification of Germany under Bismarck upset this fragile equilibrium? To what extent were Metternich and Bismarck masters of their own fate, and what were the long-term consequences of their actions and policy choices?
What will we cover?
Key themes will be: the personalities of Metternich and Bismarck; the scope and the limits of their individual impact on the overarching structures and currents of European history (the legacy of the French Revolution and Napoleon; the Wars of Liberation, the Vienna Settlement of 1815 and the revolutions of 1848); Metternich’s failure to suppress, and Bismarck’s success in domesticating, liberalism and nationalism in Germany; the image of Bismarck and Metternich in contemporary caricature and historical writing.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand how these two statesmen at the head of Habsburg and Prussian affairs at times of existential challenge and profound change were able to shape the course of history, with lasting consequences both for the German lands and the face of Europe as a whole.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The workshop is suitable for interested students of all backgrounds. No German reading skills or
detailed background knowledge are required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The workshop will combine lecturing and interactive elements like source reading (in translation) and the interpretation of visual material, with plenty of opportunity for class discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, and students needn’t bring anything with them apart from an open mind and a readiness to learn.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HEH29 Germany in the long nineteenth century (1815-1918)
HEH105 German history: sites of memory part 1
HEH47 Post-war German history: 1945-1961
HEH106 The European Revolutions of 1848
Please see the City Lit website.
Dr. Rudolf Muhs, Emeritus Reader in Modern European History at Royal Holloway, University of London, studied at the universities of Freiburg and Edinburgh and has been teaching German history in England since 1987.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.