History of Modern Europe: AD 1789-2013

560 Pages·2015·5.09 MB·English

by  B.V. Rao

To the memory of
my distinguished uncle
Late Beldona Bhima Rao
B V RAO
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History of Modern Europe (AD 1789-2013)
© 2014, B V Rao
ISBN 978 81 207 9276 0
First Edition 1991
Second Edition 1993
Third Revised Edition 2006
Fourth Revised and Enlarged Edition 2011
Fifth Revised and Enlarged Edition 2014
All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without prior written permission of the original publisher.
Foreword
P rof BVRao has written History of Modern Europe with a specific
purpose, mainly to meet the requirements of the undergraduate
students studying history in the universities. The period covered in
this book is taught practically in every university. It begins with the
revolutionary period of European history and ends with the period of
post-war recovery of Europe. Prof Rao has briefly discussed most of the
focal points of the period under review in simple and lucid language,
which is easily understood by the students of this subject. One of the
novel features of this book is the list of additional readings suggested by
the author at the end of each chapter. This will certainly help the
inquisitive students to undertake in-depth studies of the topics of their
choice. It is quite obvious from the contents of this book that Prof Rao has
taken note of major recent publications on European history, and has
made the treatment of his subject quite comprehensive. The maps of
Europe from 1789 to the post-World War II period included in this book
are very useful for understanding the subject.
I am sure that both the teachers and students would welcome this
addition to the existing literature on European History.
A.R. Kulkarni
Preface to the First Edition
T he shaping of modern Europe is a historical phenomenon. The forces
which brought it about need careful study. The course of events
which took place in Europe in the nineteenth and the first half of the
twentieth century had its repercussions in Afro-Asian countries, most of
which were under colonial rule. Therefore a student of modern history
would do well to study this subject.
Although the treatment of the subject in this book may not be very
exhaustive, nevertheless an undergraduate student would find it
instructive and useful while preparing for the examinations. To enable
the students to have a better understanding and grip over the subject I
have added some attractive features. I have covered the whole subject
(from 1789–1975) by dividing it into thirty convenient units or chapters.
Each chapter contains a well thought out explanation of the topic in an
interesting, simple and lucid manner. At the end of each chapter I have
provided a useful bibliography (Suggested Readings). To an inquiring
mind, this will be most gratifying. I have taken pains to include a dozen
excellent maps, all drawn to scale, to widen the perception of our
students. I am sure that even students who are appearing for competitive
examinations would find my book very useful.
I am grateful to Prof F R Mustafa and Sri Jagtap, both working in the
Geography Department of Shivaji University, for preparing excellent
maps to be included in this book. I am highly obliged to Prof A R
Kulkarni (formerly Chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research,
New Delhi) Head of the Department of History, University of Poona, for
writing an encouraging foreword to this book. I am also obliged to my
wife, Rakma, for rendering secretarial assistance.
B.V. Rao
Preface to the Fifth Edition
T he book needed revision as few chapters required more information,
some needed to be updated till 2013, and a few others better
treatment. Chapters on The French Revolution of 1789 (chapter 2) and
Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (chapter 3) now contain more information,
and the chapters on The European Union (chapter 32) and Post Cold War
Era: The Dawning of New Europe (chapter 33) include events up to 2013.
There is more information on the Russian Revolution of 1905 (chapter
20). Chapter on Europe Since the Seventies (chapter 31) has received
better treatment.
Thus, this revision makes the book up-to-date and comprehensive.
Bengaluru B.V. Rao
14/8/2014 [email protected]
Contents
Foreword
Preface to the First Edition
Preface to the Fifth Edition
1. The Age of Reason: Impact of Science on Religion
• Leibniz
• Deism
• Pietism
• Atheism
• Religious Tolerance
• Impact of Social Science
• History
• Scientific Materialism
• Sovereignty and Social Contract
• Legal and Constitutional Studies
• Joseph II , The Last Enlightened Despot
• Other Despots
• Enlightened Monarchy in France Declines
• Petticoat Government
• Arbitrary Nature of Bourbon Monarchy.
2. The French Revolution of 1789
• Ancién Regime
• The Role of Philosophers
• Encyclopaedists and Physiocrats
• The Example of American Revolution
• Financial Crisis
• King Louis XVI
• States-General
• Tennis Court Oath
• Siege of the Bastille
• Peasant’s Revolt
• The Revolutionary Wars
• The National Convention
• Reign of Terror
• Reforms of National Convention
• Religion
• Socialist Experiments
• Two Decrees
• The Insurrection of Paris
• The Directory
• Conspiracy against the Directory
• Foreign Policy
• Aftermaths of the Revolution.
3. Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
• Italian Expedition
• Egyptian Campaign
• The Coup d’etat
• Reconquest of Italy
• The Treaty of Amiens
• The Renewal of War: Third Coalition
• Continental System
• Napoleon’s Hundred Days’
• Causes of Napoleon’s Downfall.
4. Civilian Work of Napoleon
• The Code Napoleon
• Bank of France
• Legion of Honour
• Concordat
• Trade and Commerce
• Public Works
• Education
• Reorganisation of Administration
• Colonisation.
5. Congress of Vienna