HI 101: MODERN EUROPE,

HI 101: MODERN EUROPE, 1500-1815 Dr Sarah Covington Spring, 2011 Monday 10-10.50, Thursday, 10-11.50 Room: PH 156 Office: 352-XX Powdermaker Office hours; Monday, Thursday, 9-10 or by appointment Telephone: 997-5393 Email: sarah.covington@qc.cuny.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION This class will provide an overview of Europe during one of the most interesting periods in its history: between the middle ages and modern era. While many historians have viewed the era as transitional, the centuries between 1500 and 1800 in fact witnessed momentous transformations that forever changed the way people thought about religion, art, politics, war, the family, the nature of reality, and even sex and everyday life. The class will place special emphasis on examining the interactions that took place between different social groups and cultural expressions, particularly as they were manifested in the relationships between men and women, the rulers and the ruled, colonizers and colonized, dominant power structures and individuals subject to their rule; but a broad analysis of the larger processes of globalization, economic and scientific transformations, and political change, will also come in for analysis. Among the topics to be examined are the following: From state-building to global expansion and empires Women s roles; family and household structures Popular politics; riot and rebellion Encounters with other cultures, including the Americas, Asia and Africa Religion, the reformation, and social transformations Industrialism and the rise of the working class High and low, elite and popular cultures Over the course of the semester, students will be expected to achieve the following: To identify the various cultural ideas, values, and mentalities, as well as economic and political structures, that defined the early modern period, including the causes behind its many transformations; students will become particularly conversant in understanding the global aspects of the early modern period, manifested in colonization, empires, and interactions between different western and non-western cultures; To understand the practice and methods of the discipline of history, including its various sub-fields (social history, history of popular culture, history and memory); the use of other disciplines such as anthropology in illuminating certain aspects of early modern history (for example, the witch hunts) will also be explored; To develop skills in the critical reading and understanding of primary sources, especially from within their historical context. In-class discussion will be devoted to primary source

analysis, with students expected to discuss and write on visual and literary material as well as historical documents; To examine major themes of the period from more than one perspective by uncovering the voices of women, the poor, the indigenous and colonized, and marginal members of society as well as those who criticized historical developments from all ideological perspectives; To become skilled at debating key issues in early modern history, through papers and inclass debates centered on the above topics. CLASS ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADE BREAKDOWN Three papers 1. Analysis of primary sources (15%) 2. Argument essay and in-class debate (25%) 3. Globalization research paper (20%) Midterm (15%) Final Exam (20%) Class participation (5%) REQUIRED TEXT 1. John Merriman, A History of Modern Europe, Vol. 1; From the Renaissance to the Age of Napoleon 2. Course Packet, available Iver Printing, 67-03 Main Street (at Melbourne Ave) STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM Plagiarism and this includes paraphrasing without citing one s sources, and taking passages word-for-word from the web will result in a failed grade for the overall course. Students are encouraged to consult the professor in person or by e-mail to discuss papers or issues raised in class.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES Date Topic Themes/questions Reading January 29 Introduction to the Course Overview of the period; themes and questions of the course; primary vs secondary sources; the discipline of history; how to read pre-modern sources Course packet (CP): Carl F. Kaestle, Standards of Evidence in Historical Research: How Do We Know What We Know? Keith Jenkins, What History Is, in Re- Thinking History February 2 Europe in 1500: Medieval Inheritances and a New Age The Black Death and demographic aftereffects; the church in crisis and resolution; revolts; people and peasant revolts; the structure of society 3-46 CP: Boccaccio on the Plague Dante s Inferno (excerpt) Ordinance of Labourers Speech of Richard II to th Peasants; speech of Wat Tyler The Triumph of Death woodcut February 5 Renaissance Thought and Politics The Italian city-states; treachery, the Medici, and Florence; Machiavelli and the politics of power; humanism and the discovery of the past; the revolution in Reading; Merriman, 37-38, 47-60. 60-87 CP: Machiavelli: The Prince Castiglione, Book of

printing; the secular spirit the Courtier Guicciardini, The Greatness of Lorenzo de Medici Albrecht Durer, Leonardo da Vinci Jost Amman, The Divine Art of Printing woodcut, 1559 February 9 The New Monarchies and the Rise of States: Spain, England, and France The Renaissance in the north; Erasmus; the transition to the modern state; the great Renaissance kings; the unification of Spain; the expulsion of the Jews in Spain; the inquisition 28-34, 89-92 CP: Erasmus, In Praise of Folly Account of the Field of the Cloth of Gold The Act of Supremacy (1534) Ferdinand and Isabella The edict on the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain (1492) Inquisitional documents February 12 The Revolution in Warfare The gun; the end of the longbow, armor, cavalry; the rise of the infantry; the arms industry; wars and state-building; mercenaries vs. standing, permanent armies 35-36; handout CP: Debates on the military revolution (excerpts) Article: Kelly De Vries, "Gunpowder Weaponry and the Rise of the Modern State" Charles VIII s invasion of Italy, 1494

The Battle of Gravelines February 16 Spain and New World Encounters Naval technology and the high seas; Columbus and his motives; the encounter and colonial policy; Cortez and Montezuma; the economic effects and gold; the early slave trade 38-46, 184-97, 219-31 An early account of the slave trade De Insulis Nuper in Mari Indico Repertis. Woodcut, 1494 Map of the World, 1489 Cortes describes Aztec sacrifices Las Cases on the Indians February 19 The Reformation in Germany Background; signs of disorder; the Catholic church in 1500; Luther s life and thought; the Ninety- Five theses and their impact; the 1525 Peasants Uprising Reading; Merriman, 87-88, 92-112 CP: Luther, 95 Theses Luther, Freedom of a Christian The Twelve Articles of the Peasants of Swabia (1524) February 23 England from Henry through Elizabeth Henry VIII and the break with Rome; the Church of England; Mary and the persecution of heretics; burnings and martyrdom; Elizabeth and the return of Protestantism; Elizabeth as queen Ireland Reading; Merriman, 121-125, 181-182, 197-219 CP: The Act of Supremacy (1534) John Foxe, Acts and Monuments Elizabeth: portraits Elizabeth, Armada

speech Book of Common Prayer February 26 France and the Religious Wars Conflict in France; Calvin; violence and the St Bartholomew s Day Massacre; the Huguenots; restoration Reading: 138-157 CP: Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion Sermons: against the Huguenots An Account of the Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day Martyrdom accounts of the religion wars March 1 The Catholic Reformation The Council of Trent and Catholic response to protestants; the new popes; Teresa of Avila and her mysticism; Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuits; the Catholic reformation in Italy, Spain 125-129 CP: Bernini, The Ecstasy of St Teresa (sculpture) Caravaggio, The Calling of St Matthew (painting) St Teresa, The Way of Perfection Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises March 4 The Witch Hunt and Popular Culture Demographic breakdown; who were the witches?; interrogations, torture sessions, and executions; popular festivals and carnivals 133-137; handout CP: Malleus Maleficarum (1486) George Gifford, A dialogue concerning witches and

witchcraftes (1593) Witch Persecutions at Trier Witch Persecutions at Bonn Popular Ballads Account of a charivari March 8 The Seventeenth Century and Its Crises Religious conflict; the Thirty Years War; the Treaty of Westphalia; economic and political upheaval 159-177 CP: Elizabeth of Bohemia to James I, 13 November 1620 Catholic Song, "Poor Winter King" Speech of Gustavus Adolphus Accounts of the war Treaty of Westphalia (1648) March 11 Absolutism and Louis XIV s France Forerunners and foundations; definitions, the Sun King and his public relations machinery; Versailles, culture and wars in the age of Louis 157-159, 274-299 CP: Richelieu, Political Testament (1638) James I, True Law of Free Monarchies Hobbes, Leviathan (excerpt) Accounts of Louis XIV Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (October 22, 1685)

March 22 Constitutionalism and the English Civil War The Puritans and parliament; James I and Charles I; rising conflict; the Civil War; the death of Charles; Oliver Cromwell; the radicals; the restoration 232-260 CP: Petition of Right (1628) The Putney Debates (excerpts) Radical pamphlets The sentence against Charles I Oliver Cromwell, letters John Locke, Second Treatise of Civil Government March 25 The Dutch Republic: The Rise of Modern Global Capitalism Commerce and expansion; culture, Rembrandt, Vermeer; religion, decline; domestic life 260-273 CP: The Dutch Declaration of Independence, 1581 Rembrandt and Vermeer: select paintings Charter of the Dutch West India Company (1621) The Tulip Book (1637) March 29 The Scientific Revolution: Toward a New World View The new method; empiricism; Copernicus and astronomy; causes of the scientific revolution; Galileo; Newton s synthesis; impact; the human 327-53 CP: da Vinci, Notebooks (excerpts) Copernicus on the Earth s revolution

body and anatomical studies Cardinal Bellarmine, Arrack on the Copernican Theory Galilei, Letter to Christina of Tuscany: Science and Scripture Papal inquisition of 1633: Galileo Condemned Newton, Mathematical Principles April 1 The Enlightenment Influences; Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, Mozart; science and religion; diffusion of ideas; culture; Beccaria and criminal justice reform; hospitals and treatment and depiction of the insane 399-432, 436-441 Voltaire, Candide Hume, on miracles Frederick the Great and Voltaire, oil on canvas, c. 1750 The other side of the enlightenment: the Great Cat Massacre (excerpts) April 15 Life in the Eighteenth Century Social classes; economic and social transformations the emerging industrial revolution; technology; urbanization; sex and alcohol 354-380; 384-398 CP: Jonathan Swift, A Description of a City Shower South Sea Bubble Dafoe, Journal of the Plague Year The Hanging of Jonathan Wild Account of the First English Coffee Houses

April 19 Eighteenth-Century Globalism Frederick the Great; Prussia; navies; nation-states and conflict; the Seven Years War; Catherine the Great 432-434; 444-462 Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations Pirate accounts; criminality at sea Life in the Royal Navy April 22 The British Empire; Rule Britannia Political currents; India and the East India Company; the political system; Whigs and Tories; the Atlantic slave trade Reading: 380-382, 464-472 CP: Establishment of the East India Charter (1600) Robert Clive (1725-1774):: The Battle of Plassey, 1757 Robert Clive (1725-1774): Letter to William Pitt on India, 1759 Writings against empire Trial and impeachment of Hastings April 26 The American Revolution: Other Perspectives Origins of the revolution; King George III; rebels or revolutionaries? Tom Paine; the revolt and the response; the impact on the empire 475-480 CP: Bill of Rights (1689) Thomas Paine, Common Sense James Chalmers, the Plain Truth (Loyalist document) April 29 The French Revolution (1): Revolutionary

The First Stages thought; causes; economic collapse; the breakdown of the old order; the National Assembly; the fall of Bastille and the mob; limited monarchy; war 495-521 CP: French Revolutionary pamphlets Irish song on the French revolution Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen Olympe de Gouges, Declaration of the Rights of Women May 3 The French Revolution (2): From the Terror to the End The death of the king; Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety; the guillotine; the Vendee; the final stages; Thermidor 548-569 CP: Robespierre, Speech to the National Convention Songs of the Revolution The Leveé en Masse Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France Thomas Jefferson on the revolution May 10 Napoleon and the European Wars The early years; Napoleon and the revolution; military victories in Italy; the Egyptian campaign; the coup, leadership; the Napoleonic Code; Napoleon the general; conquest and the Russian invasion 548-569 CP: Napoleon): Speech to Troops, 1796 Beethoven, Eroica symphony J.L. David, Portrait of Napoleon Toussaint L Ouverture

and the Haitian Revolution Madame de Rémusat: Remembrances of Napoleon May 13 Napoleon s fall and the Congress of Vienna The tide rolls back; the alliance against Napoleon; exile and return; the battle of Waterloo; Europe after Napoleon 569-586 CP: Congress of Vienna (excerpts) Paper #1: Primary Source analysis This paper is intended for you to familiarize yourself with historical primary sources by analyzing their language, biases, agendas, and arguments. 1. Choose two related primary sources from the course packet 2. Questions to ask of the sources, after comparing and contrasting them: *When and where were the documents written, and who was behind them? * Why were they written? Who was the intended audience? * What bias or agenda is at work? What is the argument (if any) that the authors deploy? * What do the documents tell us about pre-modern belief systems? *How do you respond to this sources personally? Why did you choose them? * How do you interpret them in the contexts of their times? Paper #2: Argument Essay (3-4 pages); based on in-class debate Answer one of the following questions, making your case using primary and secondary sources. Note: I will not accept internet sources (wikipedia, etc); you must use books or Jstor. Note: In class, you must take a position and argue it; not conclude that both can be true, etc. Was the reformation unleashed by Martin Luther positive or negative in terms of subsequent historical developments? The Peasants' Revolt of 1524-5: just or immoral? The Reforms of the Catholic Church: innovative or reactionary? The conquest of the Americas: completely destructive? What accounted for the rise and consolidation of states in early modern Europe?

Colonial empires: legitimate expansion or immoral exploitation? The Witch Hunts: misogyny or scapegoating? Early modern military revolution: myth or not? The Scientific Revolution: destructive or harmless to religion? King or parliament in the English civil war? The Enlightenment: enlightened or dangerous? Louis XIV: tyrant or virtuous king? Catherine II: the Great or average? Rise of empires and global powers: exploitation or good capitalist growth? French Revolution: unleashing destruction or individual liberty? (note: you might consult the conservative writer Edmund burke here) French revolution: a success or not? Napoleon: betrayer or savior of the Revolution? Paper #3: Globalization in the Early Modern Period Describe the process of globalization that occurred in one of the three areas, exploring the methods and justifications deployed by expanding powers, as well as the responses and resistences on the part of those colonized (as well as the colonizer s fell countrymen): Ireland under the Tudors/Stuarts/Cromwell Africa in the 15 th -16 th centuries The New World, North and South (Spain and England); 16 th century Eighteenth-century economic expansions (company monopolies; the slave trade) Expansion by warfare (18 th -early 19 th centuries) Suggested sources for globalization paper: Stuart B. Schwartz, ed., Victors and Vanquished Tzvetan Todorov, The Conquest of America (1982) John Thornton, Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World, 1400-1680 (1992) Alfred W. Crosby, "Conquistador y Pestilencia: The First New World Pandemic and the Fall of the Great Indian Empires," Hispanic American Historical Review, 47 (Aug. 1967): 321-37 Francis J. Brooks, "Revising the Conquest of Mexico: Smallpox, Sources, and Populations," Journal of Interdisciplinary History 24 (Summer 1993)

Sanjay Subrahmanyam, Imperial and Colonial Encounters: Some Reflections ; The Colonial Empires: A Comparative Survey From the Eighteenth Century by D. K. Fieldhouse David Armitage, ed. Theories of Empire, 1450 1800. An Expanding World: The European Impact on World History, 1450 1800, vol. 20; P.J. Marshall, ed. The Eighteenth Century. The Oxford History of the British Empire, vol. 2 Deirdre Coleman, Romantic Colonization and British Anti-Slavery