Welcome to Twentieth Century Europe

So, I have a confession to make: I really prefer the 19th century. Perhaps I am too in love with ideas of the 19th Century and all its great intellectual movements, perhaps I buy in too much to the Victorian ideals but for me the 19th Century has a particular charm, a striving towards a better world. The 20th Century, while perhaps more interesting in terms of events, seems to lack that charm. Rather than building an ideal world, the 20th Century seems intent on destroying bourgeois culture, government, politics and society.

Yet, despite my romantic preference for the 19th Century, I am fascinated by the 20th Century. So much happened and the world has changed so irrevocably. For me, so much about the 20th Century remains to be explained and understood, beginning with the seeming desire to tear and destroy my beloved 19th Century world.

One of my major goals in this class is to provide different perspectives on and interpretations of those world-shattering events of the 20th Century. I encourage to read deeply and think about these different views and accept and reject them as you will. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.