EUROPEAN DIPLOMATIC HISTORY 3505 (Core Curriculum "Area 3") TWO PAGES

European Diplomatic History (1589-1848) J. Dean O'Donnell <odonnell@vt.edu>

crn 9 5 3 8 3 , Fall 2 0 0 2 Major Bill 406
Section 14-T: 2 - 3:15 PM, Tu Th 540/231-5216
Mc Bryde 2 1 2 (40) (Home 552-1140 till 9 pm)
Office Hours during class weeks: 12:30 - 2:00, Tu Th
Final Exam: 3:25 PM Monday, 16 December 2002

THEMES: European Diplomatic History 3505, 3506 treats the development of the European States System
and its 20th-century extension into a world framework for international relations. The first term (1589-
1848) emphasizes phenomena of psychology, warfare, religious conflict, and Balance of Power.

We will consider the development of the European States System from the Italian Renaissance to the 1848
Revolutions. The Italian city states, left to themselves, conducted balance-of-power politics and developed
modern diplomatic machinery. Subsequently, larger states contended for dominance in Italy and adapted
some Italian forms to the European scheme. In the 16th century the Habsburg dynasty (Spain and Austria)
sought universal monarchy in Europe, but thereby brought into being a coalition led by France. France's
victory in 1648/1659 left Louis XIV in a strong position, from which he then tried to attain universal
monarchy. Coalitions then formed several times to block him.

This study of a 260-year period will emphasize the leadership of France. Another important theme is the
German rivalry between Austria and Prussia. The late l8th century's intellectual and social changes were so
revolutionary as to affect diplomacy and statecraft. We will therefore give due attention to the religious and
social context of the old regimes.

The French crisis leading to 1789 is a central topic. That year began a quarter century of revolution and
world war. Napoleon Bonaparte emerged as French dictator, then Emperor. He subjected most of the
European continent to French control before this bid for universal monarchy brought on a coalition of states
to stop him. After the Allies defeated Napoleon in 1814-1815, Europe's leaders met at the Congress of
Vienna to restore a system of order and political balance. The Austrian host of the Congress, Metternich,
chaired the "Congress System" until the Revolutions of 1848. This semester concludes midway through a
century when nationalism and industrialism caused great change. The reading by Henry Kissinger is relevant
to our own time, for it provides some insight into the thought of someone who still has influence on U.S.
foreign policy.

THE FINAL GRADE IS DETERMINED by averaging two hour exams and a final exam. The numerical average may
be modified by class participation, egregious absenteeism, or extenuating circumstances.

THE HONOR SYSTEM permits students to pool their resources in studying before exams. (See The Paper
Chase.) During exams all books and notes must be placed beneath your seat.

NOTES:

1) Please provide your campus address/phone data on the UNLINED BACK of the index card I will provide.
Mark P/F on the front, if you are PASS/FAIL. (Make NO NOTATION FOR THE DEFAULT A-F.)
2) Memorize the syllabus. Bring it to class each day, along with other materials I distribute.
3) RECOMMENDED, for History majors in particular, a good historical atlas. The Hammond Historical
Atlas of the World, and The Anchor Atlas of World History (2 vols.) are excellent examples. Ask
me for a copy of Hammond's fine catalogue. Another excellent reference work is The American
Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 3d Edition (Houghton Mifflin), in print or on disk.

Turn page...........3505/2002-08-3edBreunig.3
HISTORY 3505 BOOKS should all be transcribed, purchased, borrowed, or otherwise lined up within the first
week of class. The Bookstore starts returning them soon after the ADD deadline. Please tell me AT THE
BEGINNING OF CLASS if you want books that are gone, so I can count how many to reorder. Examinations
cannot be postponed for students who later have trouble finding the assignments.

M. S. Anderson. The Rise of Modern Diplomacy, 1450-1919. Longman. (Reserve)

Richard S. Dunn. The Age of Religious Wars, 1559-1715. Norton.
C. V. Wedgwood. Richelieu and the French Monarchy. Collier. (Reserve)
Derek McKay and H. M. Scott. The Rise of the Great Powers, 1648-1815. Longman. (Reserve)
Charles Breunig and Matthew Levinger. The Revolutionary Era, 1789-1850. 3d edition. Norton.
Citations atop Outlines M through Q are for the old 2d edition Breunig. Cross out those old page
numbers atop the outlines, and write in the 3d edition Breunig-Levinger citations below. If you
are using an old Breunig 2d edition, tear this up before it makes trouble, and ask me for the
Breunig 2d edition syllabus.

A. Introduction: Towards the European States System. Dunn, Introduction.

B. The Renaissance in the Italies (1375-1527): Diplomacy and Machiavelli.
Anderson ch. 1, pp. 149-180, 204-219.
C. Dynasties, Religion, and War. Dunn, pp. 1-82, 116-121, 145-153, 164-178, 189-198.
D. The Thirty Years War. Dunn, pp. 82-102; McKay-Scott, pp. xi-10.
E. France under Henri IV (1589-1610). Dunn, pp. 152-164.
F. France under Louis XIII (1610-1643). Wedgwood; McKay-Scott, pp. xi-10.

HOUR TEST, Tuesday, 1 October 2002

G. Social, Economic, Cultural, and Global Context. Dunn, ch. 3 (ch. 5 recommended).
H. France and Louis XIV. (l643-1715). Dunn pp. 178-198, ch. 6; Anderson ch. 2, pp. 219-235;
McKay-Scott, 1-10, 14-66, 201-214.
I. France under Louis XV (1715-1774). McKay-Scott, pp. 94-162, 177-181, 253-257.
J. Britain. Germany in the 18th Century: The Dualism between Austria and Prussia.
Dunn, pp. 276-282; McKay-Scott, pp. 67-77, 162-200, 229-234.
K. Russia & the Lesser States. Dunn, 276-301; McKay-Scott, 10-14, 77-93, 154-158, 215-252.
L. France under Louis XVI: Enlightenment to Revolution (1774-1789). McKay-Scott, pp. 253-275.

MIDTERM TEST

The Breunig-Levinger 3d edition citations below should be transferred atop Outlines M-Q before you open
your Breunig-Levinger 3d edition. If you have the old Breunig 2d edition, tear this up before it makes trouble.
Ask me for the Breunig 2d edition syllabus, which has the same citations as your outlines. If this is not clear,
I’ll explain it again.

M. The French Revolution Until Napoleon Bonaparte: 1789-1799.

Breunig, Preface through ch. 1; McKay-Scott, pp. 272-289.
N. Napoleon Bonaparte's Life and Dynasty. Breunig, 68-82.
O. Rise and Fall of the Grand Empire: Second and Third Coalition Wars.
Breunig, pp. 82-116; McKay-Scott, pp. 290-338.
P. The Fourth Coalition and the Congress of Vienna: To Build a New World Order.
Breunig, pp. 116-124, 173-183; McKay-Scott, pp. 333-344.
Q. Maintaining the New World Order. Breunig, pp. 183-265;
Anderson, pp. 181-203, 236-248.

FINAL EXAM, 3:25 PM Monday, 16 December 2002

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