History of Modern Europe
Choose one and respond
1. Compare and Contrast the movements of Realism, Darwinism, and Marxism with those of the first part of the 19th century. Which do you argue were ultimately more influential on the development of Modern Europe. (3 student responses only)
2. What problems were experienced by both Imperial Russia and Austria-Hungary in the last part of the 19th century? The Ottoman Empire? What attempts did each country make to address these issues? Where did they succeed or fail? (3 student responses only).
3. How did Central and Eastern Europe compare to the Western Europe and England in the last half of the 19th century on the eve of World War I? (3 student responses only).
Sample Solution
History of Modern Europe
Both the imperial Russia and Austria-Hungary experienced problems in the last part of the 19th century. The multi-ethnic Austro-Hungrarian Empire was one of the dominating powers in Central Europe during the “long 19th century.” Austria-Hungary was able to continue its territorial expansion up to 1912 and even during the First World War. Nonetheless, throughout the whole period its status as a Great Power was challenged on many fronts. From the outside rivals such as Imperial Germany, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire exerted pressure, whilst internally ever-increasing nationalism presented the Habsburg Empire with challenges that were to prove insurmountable. Under the Tsar Nicholas II (reigned 1894-1917), the Russian Empire slowly industrialized while repressing political opposition in the center and on the far left. It recklessly entered wars with japan (1904) and with Germany and Austria (1914) for which it was very poorly prepared, leading to the utter collapse of the old regime in 1917 and an era of civil war.