Modern European History Two Hour Exam Questions
1.Crane Brinton in his book The Anatomy of Revolution considers the seizure of power by radicals
from the moderates as necessary for the carrying through of a revolution. Who were the radicals
and how successful were they in gaining control of events in the English Revolution of the 17th
century, the French Revolution of the 18th century, the European revolutions of 1848, and the
Russian Revolution of the 20th century?
2.What reasons seem to you to best explain why the industrial revolution began in England in the
18th century, spread to France and Belgium in the first half of the 19th century, and made a
profound impression on Russia only in the 20th century?
3.What is the "Balance of Power," its origins, its aims, and achievements? Is it necessary?
4.To what extent do economic and social conditions explain why England's revolution against
absolute monarchy came in the 17th century, France's in the 18th century, and Russia's early in the
20th century?
5.How important is religion in explaining the intellectual, economic, and political developments of
European history since 1500?
6. One of the chief problems facing mankind today is how to regulate relations among sovereign
states in such a manner as to avoid war. Discuss the success or failure of the various of efforts to
create new organs of international scope and authority from the 17th century to the present. You
may draw upon the work of the Duc de Sully, Hugo Grotius, Castlereagh, and the founders of the
European Union.
