The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789–1848
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Founder | Eric Hobsbawm |
| Products | History book |
The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789–1848 is a 1962 publication authored by British historian Eric Hobsbawm. It serves as the initial volume in a trilogy that examines the "long 19th century," succeeded by The Age of Capital: 1848–1875 and The Age of Empire: 1875–1914. Hobsbawm's study emphasizes the "twin revolution thesis," which underscores the profound influence of both the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution on shaping modern European history and, through mechanisms such as colonialism and imperialism, affecting global developments.
Contents
- Part I. Developments
- 1. The World in the 1780s
In this chapter, Hobsbawm describes Europe's socio-economic conditions prior to modernization. Although there were improvements like enhanced roadways, quicker postal services, and broader commerce, society remained largely agrarian. Both the peasant and nobility classes were firmly anchored in rural environments, which heavily influenced social dynamics and perspectives. Urban areas consisted mainly of provincial towns reliant on their rural hinterlands, lacking the large-scale manufacturing or expansive markets characteristic of subsequent industrial cities. Ownership of land and agriculture played a central role in structuring society.
- 2. The Industrial Revolution
- 3. The French Revolution
- 4. War
- 5. Peace
- 6. Revolutions
- 7. Nationalism
Hobsbawm charts the emergence of nationalism as a distinct modern force between 1789 and 1848. Initially appearing as a liberal ideal, nationalism transformed political allegiance from subjects under monarchs or local authorities into citizens endowed with rights and duties toward the nation-state. This represented a departure from corporative social frameworks toward nation-states based on individual citizenship.
- Part II. Results
- 8. Land
- 9. Towards an Industrial World
- 10. The Career Open to Talent
- 11. The Labouring Poor
- 12. Ideology: Religion
- 13. Ideology: Secular
- 14. The Arts
- 15. Science
- 16. Conclusion: Towards 1848
See also
External links
- The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789–1848 complete text available on Hathi Trust
- The Age of Revolution 1789-1848 - Eric Hobsbawm | libcom.org