The Cacophony of Europe:
Major Issues in the 19th & early 20th Centuries
Introduction
The end of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars brought about tremendous change in Europe, changes that would forever change world. While many wanted to maintain the status quo, factions, ideologies, nationionalism, wars and conquest all challenged the authenticity and stability of the status quo. Your task in this unit is to experience those major issues from a first person perspective and discuss and debate the issues as a person of that time period.
Assignment
You will choose a role from the list below.
You will complete the reading, watch the videos, and write TWO short position papers (each 2 pages in length, double spaced) about the major topics.
You will discuss and debate the topics in class from your given historical perspective.
Role Playing
You must choose from one of the following. NOTE: Each of the roles must be filled by one of the members of your study group. You can have more than one person play the role, but each role must be filled (you will need to talk to your study group to make sure all roles are filled).
Role Assignments:
Conservative Aristocrat and Warhawk
Liberal Middle Class Industrialist
Working Class Socialist and/or Revolutionary Student
Position Papers
Your position papers must be turned in on Moodle by the assigned due date, and they must be 2 pages in length (double spaced, no heading), and fulfill all of the following:
Establish your assigned perspective -- Who are you, what are your biases?
Describes the issue (overview/summary) -- Why is this a problem?
Establishes your beliefs about the issue -- Biased, but based in your factual research
Describes how you think the issue should be dealt with or solved -- Plan?
Discusses the counter-argument or other beliefs about the topic and describes why they are wrong -- What makes your ideas better? Convince your audience!
Assigned Topics & Research Links:
ISSUE 1 -- Ideologies & Upheavals Against the Status Quo