UCSB > History Dept. > Prof. Marcuse > Courses > Hist 133a > Lecture 5: Prussian Reforms and Wars of Liberation, 1806-1815

UCSB Hist 133A, Fall 2006 (133a homepage)
19th Century Germany, Oct. 11, 2006

Prof. Marcuse (homepage)
marcuse@history.ucsb.edu

Lecture 5:
Prussian Reforms and Wars of Liberation, 1806-1815
(previous lecture, next lecture)

Guiding Question

  • What were the specific modernizations that occurred in the German states under Napoleonic occupation?

Q2: Relate the EIEO concepts to the factors that could bring about change mentioned in S2-S5.

  • 1. Baron von Eggers, Denkschrift
    2. Fichte, "Lectures to the German Nation/People"
    3. W.v. Humboldt, memorandum to Freiherr vom Stein
  • Economic (mode of production; resources)
    International (intervention)
    Elites and LEaders (individual & small group decisions by power holders)
    Ideology & Information (what people believe will happen)
    peOple (especially when they Oppose the status quo)
    All of these things interact within constraints set by institutions, traditions -> "culture"

Key Dates

  • 1797-1840: King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia (*1770)
    Queen Luisa (*1776-m. 1793-d.1810), son Wilhelm (1797-1888)
  • 1806, Aug: Confederation of the Rhine established
    1806, Oct: Battles at Jena and Auerstedt (N defeats FWIII; Gneisenau)
  • 1807, July: Peace of Tilsit (N doesn't dissolve Prussia, moves it west)
  • 1807, Oct: liberation of Prussian peasants
  • 1808, Nov.: Stein's municipal constitution
  • 1809, Apr.: Austria and Tirol rise up against Napoleon
  • 1810: opening of Berlin University
  • 1812, June-Dec.: Napoleon's Russian campaign

Key Prussian Reformers

  • Prince von Hardenberg (1750-1822)
  • Freiherr vom Stein (1757-1831)
  • W. v. Humboldt (1767-1835);
    Alexander (1769-1859)
  • Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762-1814)
  • Johann Pestalozzi (1746-1827)
  • Gerhard v. Scharnhorst (1755-1813) & August Count v. Gneisenau (1760-1831)

For Friday: think about book essay topics

  • Sun., Oct. 15, 3pm, Campbell Hall: Niall Ferguson on 20th Century Conflict & Descent of the West

prepared for web by H. Marcuse on Oct. 14, 2006, updated: 10/x/06
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