AP European History Reading and Writing Workshop

 Industrial Growth, Ideological Shifts, and Nationalism in 19th-Century Europe
Objective:
​This workshop will help students develop skills in critical reading, writing, and historical analysis, focusing on key themes of industrialization, ideological changes, and nationalism in 19th-century Europe. Students will read public domain texts and use them to engage in various types of analysis and written responses.

1. Introduction to Key Themes (20 minutes)
  • Industrial Growth: The Industrial Revolution transformed the economy, society, and the political landscape of Europe. Emphasis will be on the social and economic consequences, especially the growth of factories, the urbanization of society, and the effects on labor.
  • Ideological Shifts: New ideologies emerged during the 19th century, including liberalism, socialism, conservatism, and nationalism. These ideologies played key roles in shaping European politics and society.
  • Nationalism: Nationalism became a powerful force in Europe during the 19th century, leading to the unification of Italy and Germany, as well as significant political changes in the rest of Europe.

2. Primary Source Readings
Texts from Public Domain Sources (Examples):
  1. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels – "The Communist Manifesto" (1848)
    • Read the sections that discuss the nature of class struggle and the revolutionary role of the proletariat. Focus on how Marx describes industrial society and its effects on workers.
  2. John Stuart Mill – "On Liberty" (1859)
    • Examine Mill’s ideas on individual liberty, government intervention, and the rights of the individual in an industrial society.
  3. Giuseppe Mazzini – "The Duties of Man" (1860)
    • Explore Mazzini’s views on nationalism, liberty, and the unity of the Italian people.
  4. Otto von Bismarck – "The Bismarckian System"
    • Read Bismarck’s political philosophy and strategies, particularly his methods of unifying Germany and dealing with European diplomacy.

3. Close Reading and Critical Analysis
  • SAQs (Short Answer Questions)
    Students will respond to the following short-answer questions after reading the texts. Each answer should be a concise paragraph (4-5 sentences).
  1. From "The Communist Manifesto"
    • Question: According to Marx and Engels, what role do the industrial bourgeoisie and proletariat play in shaping modern society?
    • Focus: Analyze the relationship between the bourgeoisie and proletariat and its implications for society and future revolutions.
  2. From "On Liberty"
    • Question: How does John Stuart Mill define individual liberty, and what limits, if any, does he place on it in industrial society?
    • Focus: Identify key elements of Mill’s definition of liberty and how industrialization complicates the balance between individual freedom and social control.
  3. From "The Duties of Man"
    • Question: How does Mazzini connect nationalism with the duties of individuals, and what role does the state play in his vision of the nation?
    • Focus: Explain Mazzini’s vision of a unified nation and the moral and political duties he believes are incumbent upon individuals in the pursuit of national unity.
  4. From Bismarck's writings
    • Question: How does Bismarck view the role of nationalism in his diplomatic strategy for German unification?
    • Focus: Discuss Bismarck’s political use of nationalism as a tool for unifying Germany and his pragmatic approach to diplomacy.

4. LEQs (Long Essay Questions)
  • After reviewing the readings and short-answer questions, students will tackle one of the following Long Essay Questions. Students should write a well-structured, historical argument that answers the question with evidence and analysis.
  1. Essay Prompt 1:
    • Question: To what extent did the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century change European society politically, socially, and economically? In your response, consider both the positive and negative consequences of industrial growth.
  2. Essay Prompt 2:
    • Question: Analyze the rise of nationalism in 19th-century Europe. How did nationalism contribute to both the unification of Italy and Germany and the division of European states?
  3. Essay Prompt 3:
    • Question: Compare and contrast the ideologies of Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill in terms of their vision for the future of industrial societies. How did their differing ideas shape political thought in the 19th century?

5. DBQs (Document-Based Questions)
Students will be given several primary sources (either excerpts from the readings or additional documents from the period) and will be required to analyze these sources and craft an argument in response to a historical question.
  1. DBQ Prompt:
    • Question: How did the Industrial Revolution influence the development of ideological movements such as socialism and conservatism in 19th-century Europe? Use the documents provided to support your argument.
    Documents:
    • Excerpts from "The Communist Manifesto" by Marx and Engels.
    • Excerpts from "On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill.
    • Excerpts from "The Duties of Man" by Giuseppe Mazzini.
    • Excerpts from Bismarck’s writings on nationalism and statecraft.

6. Reflection and Class Discussion (20 minutes)
  • Class Discussion Prompt: How did industrialization, ideological shifts, and nationalism influence one another? Were these changes primarily positive or negative for the people of 19th-century Europe? Support your view with evidence from the readings.
  • Peer Review of LEQs: Have students swap their Long Essay responses and give each other feedback based on a rubric for argument clarity, historical evidence, and analysis.

7. Writing Practice and Homework
For homework, students should refine their LEQ or DBQ responses based on peer feedback and teacher suggestions. They will submit these essays at the next class for formal grading.

Assessment Criteria
  • SAQs: Clarity, conciseness, and historical accuracy.
  • LEQs: Strong thesis, evidence-based argumentation, analysis of historical themes, organization, and writing mechanics.
  • DBQs: Ability to analyze documents, construct a historical argument, and support the argument with evidence from the documents.

Wrap-up
​This workshop should give students a solid foundation in analyzing the key themes of industrial growth, ideological shifts, and nationalism in 19th-century Europe. They will build critical reading and writing skills that will help them with both historical analysis and AP European History exam preparation.
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