Metternich, Bismarck and the changing face of 19th Century Europe
The workshop explores the life and times of two statesmen who, transcending the leadership of their own countries, came to shape the face of Europe in the nineteenth century.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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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?
HEH106 The European Revolutions of 1848 Please see the City Lit website for other German history courses.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/metternich-bismarck-and-the-changing-face-of-19th-century-europe1443409Metternich, Bismarck and the changing face of 19th Century Europehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/e/metternick-bismarck-heh98-square.jpg4949GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history22851177117811821228511771178The workshop explores the life and times of two statesmen who, transcending the leadership of their own countries, came to shape the face of Europe in the nineteenth century.003030976Metternich, Bismarck and the changing face of 19th Century Europe4949https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/e/metternick-bismarck-heh98-square_4.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-21T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH984949Metternich, Bismarck and the changing face of 19th Century Europe393249Rudolf Muhsmetternich-bismarck-and-the-changing-face-of-19th-century-europe/heh98-2627The workshop explores the life and times of two statesmen who, transcending the leadership of their own countries, came to shape the face of Europe in the nineteenth century.0000-Available|2026-11-21 00:00:00The 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?The workshop explores the life and times of two statesmen who, transcending the leadership of their own countries, came to shape the face of Europe in the nineteenth century.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.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.The workshop is suitable for interested students of all backgrounds. No German reading skills or <br>detailed background knowledge are required.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.There are no additional costs, and students needn’t bring anything with them apart from an open mind and a readiness to learn.<p><br>HEH106 The European Revolutions of 1848 <br>Please see the City Lit website for other German history courses. </p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual394932HEH98NONESat21/11/2610:30 - 15:3010:3015:301 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetRudolf MuhsAvailable courses2026-11-21T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeNov 2026Culture, history & humanities4949Metternich, Bismarck and the changing face of 19th Century Europemetternich-bismarck-and-the-changing-face-of-19th-century-europe/heh98-2627The workshop explores the life and times of two statesmen who, transcending the leadership of their own countries, came to shape the face of Europe in the nineteenth century.0000-Available|2026-11-21 00:00:00The 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?The workshop explores the life and times of two statesmen who, transcending the leadership of their own countries, came to shape the face of Europe in the nineteenth century.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.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.The workshop is suitable for interested students of all backgrounds. No German reading skills or <br>detailed background knowledge are required.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.There are no additional costs, and students needn’t bring anything with them apart from an open mind and a readiness to learn.<p><br>HEH106 The European Revolutions of 1848&nbsp;<br>Please see the City Lit website for other German history courses.&nbsp;</p>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
