This course focuses on the history of 19th-century Europe, primarily of England, France, Germany, the Austrian Empire and Russia, the five great powers during the long century of European ascendancy. Themes explored include changing political systems and ideologies in the 19th century; nationalism and revolution; the economy, especially the impact of industrialization; social class formation, including the rise of the middle classes and the creation of class consciousness; gender roles and conflict; imperialism; intellectual and cultural developments and the breakdown of the balance of power before World War I. This course satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement in Humanistic Foundations.