European History Research Articles

Relationships in European history of love and family (reflection of a culturologist)

The article discusses the question of whether in European history it was possible to instill a love for the family tree, and the author understands both of these phenomena in a general way, stipulating the problematic nature of such an approach. Analyzing the formation of love in archaic culture, the concept of platonic love, the medieval concept of courtly love and the new European concepts of romantic love, the author comes to the conclusion that love could not be organically united with the family. He discusses the reasons for this, which have much to do with the discrepancy between the European individual and the family as a social institution. Accordingly, arguments from both psychology and sociology are used. In conclusion, the author’s “concept of creative love” is outlined.

Capitalism, Austerity, and Fascism

Abstract There is a strong resonance between events of the inter-war years and today. These include a questioning of laissez-faire capitalism and austerity, and the rise of so-called ‘populist’ parties on both the left and right. Clara Mattei’s (2022) The Capital Order: How Economists Invented Austerity and Paved the Way to Fascism thus makes an interesting contribution, by locating the key argument of her book in the febrile period of European history between the wars. According to Mattei, the First World War disrupted the pre-war capitalist system to such an extent that it created a crisis of capitalism, itself. As a result, following the end of hostilities, there was a conscious effort to restore the pre-war ‘capital order’ by means of a technocratic ‘austerity strategy’, and this was strongly linked to the rise of fascism. We argue that the inter-relationship between capitalism, austerity, and fascism during the 1920s and 1930s was rather more complex, and that to make sense of this, it is necessary to broaden the focus beyond Italy and Great Britain and the international financial conferences at Brussels (1920) and Genoa (1922). Otherwise, we risk misunderstanding and mis-diagnosing our own times, as those inter-war politicians, financiers, and economists discovered to their cost. We therefore also include Germany and the USA and base our analysis on the events of the entire inter-war period.

Az ellenállási jog értelmezése és gyakorlata a Vetus Testamentumban és a Novum Testamentumban

This study shows that the right to resist tyranny has deep biblical roots. It derives directly from the biblical principle of the primacy and supremacy of divine and natural law, reflecting universal divine eternal order and justice. From the fact that even public authority is subject to these laws and that, in the event of a conflict with such laws, man-made laws and authority cannot claim obedience. In this case, resistance to them is not only a right but also a conscientious duty. This paper provides a broad outline of the biblical principles that underpin resistance to tyranny. It then describes some of the cases of resistance in the books of the Old and New Testaments which, among many others, have been recurring in the works of the leading authors on the right of resistance throughout European history.

From Transformation to Consolidation of the State: Challenges of the Rule of Law in the Western Balkans

Democratic societies must adhere to the Rule of Law to ensure that every individual—including the government—responsible to the law. This research looks at the obstacles the Western Balkans encountered in defending the rule of law as they integrated into the European Union, concentrating on the discrepancy between the EU's high standards and the institutional capabilities of the area. This study examines the theoretical underpinnings of the Rule of Law as they relate to Western culture and European history, employing qualitative research methodologies. It also examines the integration processes and changes that have taken place in the Western Balkans. The qualitative analysis concludes that although the Western Balkans need the Rule of Law, existing EU policies might risk being ineffective. It recommends implementing more adaptable and encouraging systems to create the fundamentals of the Rule of Law in these countries, promoting steady advancement towards EU integration. This article offers a critical evaluation of the EU's strategy, highlighting the necessity of customized, situation-specific tactics.

From criminal radicalism to gay and lesbian lobbyism: a transnational approach to the Scandinavian homophile movement, 1948–1971

ABSTRACT This article describes and analyzes the development of the three Scandinavian national associations for homo- and bisexuals from their founding in 1948 through 1971. This is the first time these associations are analysed as a transnational network rather than nationally divided entities. Using documentary evidence from the national archives of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden as well as other archives, this article establishes the development of the Scandinavian movement based on primary evidence, and is thus able to correct, nuance, and expand upon the ‘oral traditions’ that have been the standard in Scandinavian historiography in this field. The article argues that the transnational angle on the movement brings out new perspectives and offers a new periodization of homophile or gay and lesbian activist history. It concludes that the Scandinavian movements cannot be fitted into the typical American timeline of gay and lesbian activism, and thus opens the question of how European LGBT history differs from those in the United States.

Why Am I an Atheist?

This article sheds light on a neglected episode in the scholarship on Egypt's intellectual life in the interwar period, as well as on the Arab renaissance (Nahda) and its intensive preoccupation with the triangle of religion, science, and secularism. The discussion focuses on a provocative manifesto published in 1937 by an Egyptian writer Ismaʿil Ahmad Adham, which called for a godless universe. Adham's challenge to established religions is framed within a broader historical and intellectual context. It raises the following questions: How unique is Adham's atheism in the Egyptian and Arab writings of his time? What can we learn from the public discussions of his views about Egyptian civil culture in the 1930s and its commitment to a democratic ethos? Addressing these questions from a comparative perspective in both Islamic and European history may contribute much to the understanding of Arab debates about the existence of God.

Towards a constitutional sociology of property rights:

The article examines the emergence of modern social structures of property rights and their constitutional implications during the formation of world society. While European history has addressed this topic regionally, the process of modernization in colonial and postcolonial contexts, along with its global connections, remains underexplored. This work combines theoretical reflections from the literature on the sociology of constitutions with historiographical research on the formation of modern property rights in Europe and its colonies. It argues that the property structure of colonial Brazil is decisive for social cleavages and the social reproduction of exclusion in the later period. Due to the role land played in the constitution of power and privileges in the colonial times, postcolonial elites remain tied to the land. This results in no considerable and powerful sectors within postcolonial elites, unlike the Central and Northern European context, being interested (and strong enough) to break with the exclusionary social hierarchies inherited from the old regime. The old elite tied to land was also the new elite of independent Brazil.

An era, by chance

The Belle Époque, a period in European history from 1871 to 1914, was characterized by progress, optimism, and scientific development. Julian Barnes' book "The Man in the Red Coat" explores this era, with inspiration drawn from the famous Italian gynecologist Samuel Jean Pozzi. One significant medical advancement during this time was the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895. Initially used for examining.

Tchaikovsky, Onegin, and the Art of Characterization

Tchaikovsky enjoyed composing Yevgeni Onegin. He expressed his fulfillment in a famous letter to Sergey Taneyev. What could his enthusiasm convey about the content of the project? Music criticism has taken Tchaikovsky’s words as proof for the thesis that the opera is connected to autobiographical circumstances. In this mode of thinking, the quality of Tchaikovsky’s music is the result of the composer’s identification with the subject matter. Despite the objection of several Tchaikovsky scholars, the autobiographical paradigm remains very much alive in the reception of Tchaikovsky’s music. As an alternative, Tchaikovsky scholarship has explored a hermeneutical approach that would link his music to its context in Russian society and culture. In this paper, I present another possible reaction to Tchaikovsky’s statement: an exploration of the composer’s approach to musical characterization. Analysis of some key scenes reveals that the definition of characters and situations by musical means is more precise than standard interpretations of the opera would concede. This discovery may lead to a new assessment of characterization as a critical tool to refine the definition of Tchaikovsky’s position in European music history. The method may be applied to examples outside his operatic output, such as Serenade for Strings and the Fifth Symphony.

A macro-nationalist periodical for a new Europe? Franco-Italian exchanges and Latin Renaissance in Cronache della civiltà elleno-latina (1902–1907)

This article focuses on the discourse on pacifism and Latinity in the Italian periodical Cronache della civiltà elleno-latina (1902–1907), founded by Angelo De Gubernatis. Under the leadership of Crispi in the 1880s and 1890s, Italy embraced expansionism, colonialism, and pro-German attitudes, which strained its relations with France. In stark contrast to this militarism, the Cronache championed a vision of Italy rooted in liberal and democratic ideals. The periodical advocated for a peaceful international order to enhance Italy’s position in modernity. In doing so, it proposed an anti-belligerent macro-nationalism based on the dissemination of the values of Latinity: harmony, peace, and order. Specifically, I analyze how the periodical used the historical relations between France and Italy to construct a myth of a new Latin Renaissance. This Renaissance envisioned a profound epochal transformation, a new beginning in European history characterized by peace, unity, and solidarity among Europe’s nations.

William Wordsworth and the French Revolution: A Study of Ideals and Realities

This research paper delves into the profound impact of the French Revolution on the poetry of William Wordsworth, one of the most eminent Romantic English poets. Through an analysis of Wordsworth's life, works, and ideological evolution, this paper explores the intersection of revolutionary fervor and poetic expression during a tumultuous period in European history. Drawing on primary sources and literary analysis, the paper investigates Wordsworth's initial enthusiasm for the Revolution, his subsequent disillusionment, and the enduring legacy of his poetic response to the transformative events of his time.

Negotiating Danish identity with(in) Copenhagen's postcolonial landscape of commemoration

The paper investigates changes to Copenhagen's landscape of commemoration concerning its former colony, the Danish West Indies (DWI), prompted by the 2017 centennial anniversary of the Islands' sale to the US. It argues that Denmark, like other European nations, navigates a postcolonial identity crisis and that the landscape of commemoration plays a significant role within it. The paper advances our understanding of postcolonial Europe's identity crisis not only by shedding light on the under-explored case of Denmark, but also by emphasizing the role of the landscape of commemoration in this crisis. In addition to demonstrating how landscapes function as ‘arenas’ for negotiating expressions of hegemonic identity and territorial claims, it argues that the commemorative landscape is pivotal in tackling the construction of ‘Europe’ as a detached, self-made entity rather than a space (re)produced through connections with other (ed) places and people. It underscores that Europe's allegedly monochromatic historical fabric is woven from diverse global threads. Re-membering Europe with the people and regions vital to its (re)production re-writes them into European history and re-locates detached Europe (with)in the world.

‘If you make the people run away, you will starve’: the military significance of refugees during the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648)

The Thirty Years’ War of 1618–1648 was the most devastating conflict in European history prior to the twentieth century and the greatest demographic crisis since the Black Death of the fourteenth century. Accordingly, many scholars have examined the ‘human cost’ of the Thirty Years’ War both in broader studies of the military and civilian experience of the conflict and with an increased focus on the multiple types of localised civil-military interactions which characterised the ‘small war’ or Kleinkrieg. This article takes these studies further, by examining how refugees – a neglected manifestation of the ‘human cost’ of the Thirty Years’ War – could in turn have a significant impact on how warfare was conducted locally and on the course of the conflict itself.

Integrating trauma in European history education: debating current issues and future prospects

ABSTRACT This paper explores the evolving role of trauma in history education, particularly within the context of the Council of Europe's vision of ‘understanding the past as vital for a shared future’. The rise of memory studies and remembrance culture in Europe has shifted the focus from impersonal historical events to more personal microhistories and family narratives, unearthing collective and individual traumas and its impact on today's socio-political life. This shift furthermore necessitates a more interactive and empathetic approach to teaching, challenging educators to go beyond traditional methods and address the emotional and psychological impacts of witnessing the historical events in the classroom. Through the qualitative research methods, this paper examines the challenges educators face, including academic constraints and the pressure to prioritize cognitive learning over emotional engagement, in incorporating trauma-sensitive approaches in their classrooms. Using iterative coding and analysis of 48 interviews with European history professors, the study investigates firsthand experiences in teaching traumatic history, familiarity with trauma-informed principles, and preparedness to support students when triggered. The goal of this paper is to contribute to the ongoing debate on how history educators can effectively manage trauma triggers in the classroom, enhancing both the quality of history education and the developmental experience of students.

Oppressive Even As It Inspires

Abstract In this article, we trace the evolution of the connections between Black America and (Black) Europe since the mid-twentieth century and the study thereof. We do so through the lens of ‘Black American centrality,’ referring to the ways in which perceptions of Black America serve as an outsized reference point in European understandings of race, ‘Blackness,’ and Black (European) emancipation struggles. This allows for exploring the dilemmas that the, at times overwhelming, visibility of ‘Black America’ poses to Black Europeans, particularly during the current moment of flourishing Black European culture, politics, and scholarship. In that context, we show how both U.S.- and Europe-based scholars of Black American history and Black European history have approached Black American-European connections differently. The article concludes with suggestions for how these fields can engage with each other to develop academic approaches that account for but do not privilege the position of Black Americans within diasporic exchanges in the North Atlantic region, which is currently an underexplored area in diaspora studies.

Towards a computational history of modernism in European literary history: Mapping the Inner Lives of Characters in the European Novel (1840–1920)

In this paper, we investigate the common narrative in literary history that the inner lives of characters became a central preoccupation of literary modernism – a phenomenon commonly referenced as the “inward turn”. We operationalize this notion via a proxy, tracing the use of verbs relating to inner life across 10 language corpora from the ELTeC collection, which comprises novels from the period between 1840–1920. We expected to find an increase in the use of inner-life verbs corresponding to the traditional periodisation of modernism in each of the languages. However, different experiments conducted with the data do not confirm this hypothesis. We therefore look at the results in a number of more granular ways, but we cannot identify any common trends even when we split the verbs into individual categories, or take canonicity or gender into account. We discuss the obtained results in detail, proposing potential reasons for them and including potential avenues of further research as well as lessons learned.

The State of The Topiaj During 14th Century

Purpose: The paper provides historical context on the Topias family's role in Naples' political and religious landscape, detailing their break from Byzantium, alliances with Anjouans, and power dynamics. Methods: The paper discusses the Topias family's historical context, indicating that historical scholars used a combination of archival research, primary source analysis, comparative analysis, contextualization, and narrative storytelling to understand their interactions, relationships, and historical context. These methods were likely used to gather and analyze information about the family's history. Results and Conclusion: The paper provides a narrative account of the Topias family's historical significance, their break from Byzantium, and their role as vassals to the king of Naples. It highlights their resilience and adaptability in medieval European politics, highlighting the complex dynamics of political and religious spheres. Research implications: The paper provides a rich historical account of the Topias family, highlighting their political strategies, interfaith relations, vassalage, Anjouan influence in the Balkans, and the influence of clergy in politics. It also highlights the importance of examining the historical narrative and its potential to contribute to ongoing scholarly discussions on medieval European history, politics, and culture. Originality/value: The paper provides valuable insights into medieval Balkan politics, interfaith relations, and vassalage dynamics in medieval Europe. It focuses on lesser-known actors like the Topias family, their religious conversion, Angevin influence in the Balkans, and the complexities of feudal relationships. The narrative also highlights the intersection of clerical and political power, enhancing our understanding of medieval governance and interfaith relations.

Tagging Manorial Police Regulations in Medieval and Early Modern Flanders: Some Methodological Reflections

In the1990s, the team around Karl Härter and Michael Stolleis at the Max PlanckInstitute for European Legal History (today: the Max Planck Institute for LegalHistory and Legal Theory) developed a four-tier taxonomy to tag policeordinances in the Holy Roman Empire. This taxonomy contained some 1,200keywords, divided into 5 societal sectors, 25 regulatory areas, and c. 200police matters. The goal of this taxonomy was to enable comparative,interterritorial research. In our present research, we took this taxonomy,designed for princely legislation and ordinances promulgated in imperial towns,and applied it to a corpus of 109 medieval and early modern police regulations,containing thousands of legal provisions on all aspects of daily life in manorsin the county of Flanders. While the taxonomy was very helpful for analysingthese provisions, there were also some challenges related to the fact that wewere applying the taxonomy to another region and to another normative sourcetype. Given the continuing process of elaborating the taxonomy and the translation from Germaninto different languages, we argue that some coordination is necessary to avoidthat the meaning of the keywords gets lost in translation. Applying thetaxonomy is not a self-evident process. It is indispensable to have a users’guide and careful decision about translations to guarantee that the taxonomycan become a standard tool for tagging normative sources and enabling thecomparison of norms across territorial and linguistic borders.

Europe Without America

This essay examines the historically anomalous nature of the contemporary US-led European security order in the context of other distinctive aspects of European history. These include the absence of a long-lasting hegemon since the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe’s rise and global dominance, and its instigation of the two world wars which brought its own destruction. The essay argues that America’s role as effectively a non-territorial hegemon allowed Europe largely to reconcile the ‘impossible trinity’ of unity, security and liberty which had previously eluded it. However, this anomalous and relatively happy period could soon end if, due to US internal political dynamics or a need to strategically prioritise East Asia, the American Leviathan withdraws from its function as Europe’s security provider.

PERPUSTAKAAN ISLAM CORDOBA: KIBLAT PERADABAN ILMU PENGETAHUAN DI ERA DINASTI BANI UMAYYAH II 961-976 M

The Islamic Library in Cordoba was one of the leading libraries of its time, offering various fields of knowledge, including collections of Islamic and European history. This research aims to understand the development of scientific civilization which became a mecca of progress in Europe during the Second Umayyad Dynasty. This research methodology uses a library research approach with data collection through literature, documentation (both printed and electronic), as well as data and information sources relevant to the study. The findings in this study show that the development of science in Cordoba during the Second Umayyad Dynasty was driven by the construction of academies and libraries. The palace library in Cordoba, built by Caliph Abdurrahman, was one of the best libraries in the Islamic world at the time. It was staffed by a librarian called a "bakiya," and involved copyists and bookbinders. The glittering development of Islamic libraries during the Umayyad period had a great influence on the civilization of Arab society, making the Cordoba Library a center of advanced civilization in Europe. The existence of this library became the foundation for increasing knowledge and learning throughout the region, having a positive impact on civilization and culture at that time.