070398 KU The British Isles in Early Modern History (2006S)

The course is aimed at getting a general idea of Early Modern history of British Isles and will introduce participants to the analysis of relevant historical sources. It is mainly focused on two questions: Very English? - Is this a myth or is there a specific English/British way of modernization which is deeply rooted in the national history? Since decades historians of all schools have taken part and still contribute to the so called "Sonderwegsdiskussion" ("specific English way") of England into Modern times. The course will discuss the pros and cons of this scientific debate. Aspects of the development of the Early Modern State, first tendencies away from subsistence economy towards a capitalist market economy and to a corresponding social structure, the process of reformation during the 16th and 17th centuries will be in the focus of the course. The relationship of all these aspects to the English Revolution of the 17th century will be drawn and the English Revolution itself - as a keystone of national history- will be dealt with during the course. The overview on this specific way into modern times will be concluded with a short outlook on the "long 18th century" and the rise of the "factory of the world".
Very British? For a very long time the Early Modern History of British Isles was dominated by the English interpretation of processes and developments. Only recent research and historiography have tried to overcome this one-sided interpretation and to shed light on the direct and indirect interaction and interference of historical processes in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Not regarding that critics attack the so called New British History as an only extended, only slightly changed/modified variety of the " Sonderwegsdiskussion", one has to state that the New British history has contributed to the completion of our knowledge, has added more facets of British history and enrich the historical debate.