HIST 377
German Europe: 1815-1945

Exam Questions | Research Paper | Class Schedule

I. Description

This course presents a survey of the political and cultural development of Europe from the fall of Napoleon to the fall of Hitler, focusing on the roles played by the German peoples whose descendants now live in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. At the core of this period is "The German Problem:" namely, what political structures should govern the German peoples and their neighbors in the center of the European Continent? Themes include problems of unification and division, social adjustments to constitutional democracy and the rise of Fascism, rule over different ethnic groups and racism, social commentary in the arts and literature, economic and military competition between neighboring European powers, and the German attempt to dominate the European continent in World War I and World War II.

II. Purpose

This is a History Major, European Sequence course.

Objectives for the student:

1. To identify the major events, persons and ideas of the history of 19th-, and early 20th-century Germany, Europe and the West.
2. To develop concepts and methods which give an understanding of what influenced the attitudes and behavior of major participants in political situations.
3. To read primary and secondary sources and explain their significance to relevant historical problems.
4. To practice critical and analytical skills on historical controversies.
5. To identify and analyze significant problems and situations as they relate to the current issues and the investigation of history.

Goals for the student:

1. To develop a wider perspective which recognizes the political, economic and cultural interdependence of differing societies and people, and which encourages a more inclusive view of the human experience.
2. To heighten awareness of the specific contributions and perspectives of diverse members of society.
3. To appreciate the social, economic, cultural and political developments of German Europe to our present culture and World History.
4. To understand the influence of the past on contemporary events and problems, or, in other words, to develop "Historical Mindedness."

General Learning Outcomes for the student:

In addition to the more content related objectives described above, this course has some general liberal learning goals. Successful completion of this course is expected to help improve your ability

1. To manage information, which involves sorting data, ranking data for significance, synthesizing facts, concepts and principles.
2. To understand and use organizing principles or key concepts against which miscellaneous data can be evaluated.
3. To differentiate between facts, opinions and inferences.
4. To frame questions in order to more clearly clarify a problem, topic or issue.
5. To compare and contrast the relative merits of opposing arguments and interpretations, moving between the main points of each position.
6. To organize your thoughts and communicate them clearly and concisely in a written form and oral presentations.
7. To obtain practice in selecting and presenting information and arguments within a restricted environment, especially the limitations of time in exams.

III. General Requirements

1. Readings:

• Fichter, Paula Sutter. The Habsburg Empire: From Dynasticism to Multinationalism. Malabar, Florida: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Company, 1997.
• Hamerow, Theodore S., ed. Otto von Bismarck and Imperial Germany: A Historical Assessment. Problems in European Civilization. 3rd Ed. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath, 1994.
• Remak, Joachim, ed. The Nazi Years: A Documentary History. [1969], reprint ed.: Prospect Heights, Ill.: Waveland Press, 1990.
• Niewyk, Donald L., ed. The Holocaust . Problems in European Civilization. 2nd Ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997.
• various handouts

The required readings are intended both to provide you with important factual and background information before class and to be used as review and reference works afterwards. Before class, you will read the chapters or pages assigned according to the class schedule, section VIII. Not all topics in the books will be covered in class, but you are responsible for them on the exam and in class discussion.

The instructor may give quizzes to test your reading and comprehension.

2. Class Participation & Attendance:

Participation and attendance are necessary because lecture and discussion provide the essentials for achieving class goals and objectives. Thus a portion of your grade (about 20%) will depend on your in-class performance. You are required to attend each class, arrive on time, remain attentive, respond to questions, ask questions and participate in any in-class projects.

Lectures may be recorded with the instructor's permission, although the tapes must be erased after the exams.

The instructor will regularly take attendance. Absences due to college activities, emergency or extended illness may be excused by the appropriate director or dean. Other absences are unexcused and will lower the class participation portion of your grade. After any absence, you are responsible for making up missed work, requesting hand-outs and already returned assignments, or borrowing notes from other students. Whether absences are excused or not, you cannot get a higher grade than the percentage of classes attended.

All students who have a learning disability, physical handicap and/or any other possible impediment to class participation and requirements should schedule an appointment with the instructor during the first week of class to discuss available accommodations.

If you miss an exam, contact the instructor as soon as possible. You may take a missed exam only at the discretion of the instructor. The makeup exam may be in the form of an oral exam.

If at some point during the semester you must discontinue the course, due to poor performance, illness or some other cause, be sure to follow proper procedures for withdrawal.

C. Other Requirements:

You will take one mid-term exam on the assigned date in the class schedule, section VIII, and a final exam as assigned during finals week. Exams are described in more detail below, section V.

You will have several in-class discussion/projects, described below, section

VI. Written Assignments:

Short quizzes or written reports may also be required to evaluate the comprehension of video presentations. You will have one research paper of twelve to fifteen pages. You will also evaluate the research papers of two other students. These assignments are described below, section VII.

IV. Grades:

You earn your grade through work done for this course.

For more information see grading policy. For your protection, in case of errors in recording, you should keep copies of all exams and assignments until you have received notice of your grade.

Your final grade will be based on a percentage (above 91%=A, 89%=B+, 81%=B, etc.) of the sum of the following points: 10-20 for each quiz or in-class discussion/project and paper evaluation; 200 for the research paper; 100 for the midterm exam, 150 for the final exam; and 200 for your class performance and attendance.

3. Exams:

A. General Description:

You will take one mid-term exam on the assigned date in the class schedule, section VIII, and a final exam, which is comprehensive, as assigned during finals week.

Both exams will consist of short identifications quizzing knowledge of detail and significance, and essays testing your understanding of the course material through logical presentation of facts and explanation of historical trends. For a sample exam, see section V, B.

To study for the exams you should regularly, at least once a week, review your class notes, especially for identifications drawn from the overhead outline. You should also compare and contrast these notes with your textbook and other readings. For a sample exam, see below.

Only paper from the instructor is to be used. Please write legibly, in ink. the academic honesty policy.

-Write your name only on the first page.

-I. Identifications (30%, 10 pts. each; 15 min.): for 3 (THREE) of the following, on the provided lined paper, briefly, in a few sentences or a short paragraph, describe the person, idea or event (including dates and places) and explain their historical significance.

1. Archduke Johann von Habsburg
2. King Ludwig II of Bavaria
3. Kaiser Wilhelm II
4. Carlsbad Decrees
5. French Second Republic
6. appeasement

-II. First Essay (35%, 35 pts.; 30 min.): for the following, on the provided paper, write a clear, legible essay, being sure to plan your answer and to use specific details from lectures, discussion and readings.

1. Discuss how historians view the role of Bismarck in German History. Be sure to consider the the formation of his character, his actions in Parliament before unification, his unification of Germany, his European diplomacy; his rule of Germany and his long-lasting effects on history.

2. Discuss how historians view the historical significance of the Holocaust. Be sure to consider its origins, the experiences of its victims, the resistance by Jews, the actions of its perpetrators, the roles of Gentiles, and visions of other possibilities.

-III. Second Essay (35%, 35 pts.; 30 min.): for 1 (ONE) of the following, on the provided paper, write a clear, legible essay, being sure to plan your answer and to use specific details from lectures, discussion and readings.

1. Discuss how culture and philosophy of the Vormärz period reflected or influenced nationalism. Be sure to consider the attitudes of different social classes and groups, the impact of government, and the individual aims of artists and thinkers.

2. Discuss Metternich's policies toward Germany and Europe from the Congress of Vienna to his fall in 1848. What was his role in foreign affairs? What did he try to achieve throughout Germany? What was his impact on Austria?

3. Discuss the role of the industrial revolution on Europe and Germany. What impact did it have on the economy, politics and society? What were the various kinds of socialisms? How did governments try to cope with the tensions created by industrialization and socialism?

4. Discuss the revolutions of 1848-9. What were the origins of the revolutionary movements? How did events unfold? What were the goals of the revolutionaries and how did they fail in Germany, Prussia, Austria and Hungary? What were the consequences of the revolutions?

5. Discuss the unification of the 2nd German Empire and the exclusion of Austria. What were the origins of the ideas of unifications? How did events unfold? What were the roles of foreign powers like Italy and France? What was the role of Bismarck? What were the consequences of the unification for Germany, Austria and Europe?

1. Explain the origins of World War One. How did industrialization, economic and political expansion, European national and international problems provide long term causes? How did the Balkans create further tensions? What immediate events caused the outbreak of fighting and its expansion to include so many countries?

2. Explain the problems with the Paris Peace Treaties which ended World War I. What difficulties were involved in their creation? What political problems did they fail to solve or newly create? What long term affects did they have on international relations and domestic problems of both the former Allies and Germany and Austria?

3. Explain the rise to power of the National Socialist German Workers Party from 1920 to 1934. How did it relate to other Fascisms? How did its policies and members appeal to Germans? What were the unique problems facing the Weimar Republic in the 1920s and early 1930s? How did it succeed in establishing a dictatorship?

4. Explain Hitler's failure to win World War II. What were his preparations for war? What were the major successes he achieved early in the War? What were his and mistakes? What from his own mistakes or the strengths of his enemies brought on the ultimate defeat of the Axis? -

IV. Final Essay (50%, 50 pts.; 40 min.): for the following, on the provided paper, write a clear, legible essay, being sure to plan your answer and to use specific details from lectures, discussion and readings. Review the German Problem from 1815 to 1945. Particularly evaluate the solutions offered by Metternich, Bismarck, Franz Josef, Wilhelm II, Stresemann, and, finally, Hitler.

VI. In-class Projects:

Regularly through the semester we will have in-class discussions and projects. You are required to have read before class the appropriate material (as listed on the class schedule, section VIII, or otherwise assigned by the instructor) and be prepared to discuss and write about it with the instructor or in small groups.

You will be evaluated by short quizzes or written reports done in-class or after class, worth between 10 and 20 points each.

Two special projects will involve two of the assigned texts: the Hamerow book about Bismarck on February 11; the Niewyk book about the Holocaust on April 20. Note that quizzes on these books will take place the class before. Students will be required to present brief oral reports, lead and carry on discussion concerning the themes of historical discussion in these books.

Students with unexcused absences will receive no credit for the project/discussion. Students with excused absences may prepare a short report, after consultation with the instructor.

You are to write a eight-to-ten page research paper on a specific aspect of National Socialism. First Version (100 pts.) Due: Tuesday, March 18. Second Version (100 pts.) Due: Tuesday, April 20.

A. Purpose:

This exercise will acquaint you with the processes used by historians in conducting original research. Thus you will read carefully, manage information, evaluate different historical opinions, compare and contrast arguments, organize you thoughts and present them in a clear, coherent and interesting narrative. You will also gain expertise and knowledge about a portion of the history of fascism in Europe.

B. Procedure:

1. Select by one of the following topics about National Socialism (or another with written approval of the instructor): Origins before World War One; Growth during the Weimar Republic; Expansion as a totalitarian state; Relations with Women; Use of propaganda; The churches; Conduct of World War II; Eugenics; Resistance.

2. Prepare a thesis, an argument about the topic which will guide your research and help explain National Socialism. By February 28, you should meet with the instructor, during regular office hours or by appointment, to discuss the adequacy of the thesis and the progress of your research. Please consult the instructor for any advice concerning the paper, well in advance of its due date.

3. Using your thesis as a guide, collect, interpret and organize information about the topic. Be sure to analyze the appropriate primary sources from the readings, and consult relevant historical monographs and journal articles. In addition to the relevant class texts, you must cite at least 8 books, 3 journal articles [not including those in the Niewyk text], 3 primary sources (those in the Remak book are permitted). Internet sites may also be included, but will not count toward your minimum ­ they are to be used with caution.

4. Write, re-write, polish and proofread your research paper according to the instructions below, then turn 3 (three) copies in on March 18. This first version, which will be evaluated as a final version, not a draft, is worth 100 pts.

5. Write, re-write, polish and proofread your research paper, taking into account the corrections and suggestions offered on the first, teacher/student-corrected version. Turn in your second version, along with the first, teacher/student-corrected copy on April 27. This second version is worth 100 pts. The teacher will especially evaluate how well the paper was improved between versions.

C. Deadlines:

Meeting due dates are an important aspect of written assignments. Papers should be handed in to the instructor, by you yourself, at the beginning of class on the dates assigned (see class schedule, section VIII). Unless special arrangements have been made, no late papers or assignments will be accepted, which means no credit (zero).

D. Presentation:

Both for practice in following guidelines and to facilitate consistency in grading, papers should be uniform in appearance. For more information see .

E. Student Evaluations of Research Papers:

As part of the research paper assignment, you will evaluate the research papers of two other students. When you turn in your first version, bring three copies. One the instructor will evaluate, the other two will go to two other students chosen at random. In the next class the instructor will redistribute two papers for you to evaluate, according to a form modeled on the chart below.

In your assessment, be as honest, positive and thorough as possible. Only the instructor will see your comments, not the student whose paper you are evaluating. If you have any questions, please see the instructor. Your evaluations are worth up to 20 (twenty) points each, assessed according to their quality of care and thought. You must return your evaluated papers and forms to the instructor in class on March 25. Failure to turn it in on time may mean failure for the paper also.

The instructor will then prepare a combined evaluation sheet and give it and one copy of your paper back to you. You should use the suggestions as a basis to revise your research paper for the second version.

F. Assessment of research paper:

Using the following chart, other students will evaluate and the instructor will grade your research paper. You should use these criteria yourself as a self-assessment guide as you complete the project.

• Research
  • Selection of primary sources
  • Selection of secondary sources
  • Thoroughness of source search
  • Use of paraphrase and quotations
  • Effective use of details from sources
• Content
  • Appropriate thesis
  • Clarity of thesis
  • Factual accuracy
  • Support of generalizations and opinions
  • Support of conclusions by evidence
• Plan
  • Complete introductory paragraph
  • Proper introduction of new points
  • Effective transitions between points
  • Clear topic sentences
  • Paragraphs well-structured
  • Comprehensive concluding paragraph
• Presentation
  • Spacing, margin, pagination
  • quotations format
  • Footnote/endnote format
  • Bibliography format
  • Style
  • Word choice, grammar, spelling
  • Clarity of sentence structure
  • Understandable flow of ideas
  • Suitability to audience

All topics and assignments on the schedule are tentative; the instructor may change them at his discretion. date topic pages to be read before class; Hndt=handout Jan 12 Orientation 14 The End of the Holy Roman Empire Fichtner: v-26 19 Congress of Vienna Fichtner: 27-33; Hndt Holy Alliance 21 Vormärz Fichtner: 36-42, Docs. 5,6; Hndt Carlsbad Decrees 26 German Civilization 1800-1850 Fichtner: 33-36 28 Revolutions of 1848 Fichtner: 42-45, Docs 7, 8; Research Topic Due Feb 2 The Age of National Unifications Fichtner: 45-55, Docs 9, 10 4 The Unification of the Second German Empire Fichtner: 55-61, Docs 11, 12 13; Hndt Ems Telegram 9 Wilhelmine Germany Hamerow: Quiz; Hndt Erfurt Program 11 Bismarck Discussion Hamerow 16 Fin de Siècle Austria Fichtner: 62-97, Docs 14-19; Remak: vii-x, 1-15 18 German Civilization 1850-1914 Fichtner: 98-100 23 Review 25 MIDTERM EXAM Winter Recess Mar 9 Origins of World War One Fichtner: 100-111, Docs 20-24 11 The Great War Fichtner: 111-7, Docs 25-27; Hndt Zimmerman Note 16 Revolutions and Peace Settlements Remak: 17-24; Hndts 14 pts, Armistice 18 The Post-War Republics First Version Research Paper Due; Remak: 23-47 23 The Victory of Fascism Remak: 24-55 25 The Nazi Regime Student Evaluations of Research Papers Due; Remak: 55-82, 93-105 30 Nazi Propaganda Remak: 83-90 Easter Recess Apr 6 German Civilization 1914-45 ; Remak: 65-7 8 The Third Reich's Expansion ; Remak: 107-15 13 Hitler's War ; Remak: 90-2, 116-28 15 "The Jewish Problem" Niewyk: Quiz; Remak: 133-60 20 Holocaust Discussion Niewyk 22 Defeat of the Third Reich Remak: 128-31, 161-76 27 Review First and Second Versions of Research Paper Due May tba FINAL EXAM

Exam Questions | Research Paper | Class Schedule

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