DHIS 25A30 - Against the Tide: Counter-Revolutionary Europe from the Enlightenment to World War II

This course explores the counter-revolutionary movements, ideas and actions that shaped European history from the Enlightenment to the end of World War II. It reflects on the political, social and intellectual history of the counter-revolution, examining the forces resisting revolutionary change — monarchies, religious institutions, conservative thinkers, rural communities — and their response to key upheavals, including, of course, the French Revolution, the rise of socialism, and the emergence of authoritarian nationalism in the first half of the 20th century.

Students will engage with methodological and historiographical debates surrounding the counter-revolution. They will critically assess how the concept of counter-revolution interrogates the notions of conservative and far-right politics and explore how counter-revolutionary movements contributed to the construction of political modernity in Europe.

1/Reading Review 30%

Students will produce a written review of a key text from the course bibliography.

2/ Oral Presentation 30%

Each student will deliver an in-class presentation.

3/ Knowledge Assessment 30%

A written test will evaluate students’ understanding of the course content.

4/ Student Engagement 10%