Long nineteenth century

The long 19th century, defined by Eric Hobsbawm, a British Marxist historian and author, refers to the period between the years 1789 and 1914. Hobsbawm lays out his analysis in The Age of Revolution: Europe, 1789–1848; The Age of Capital: 1848–1875; and, The Age of Empire: 1875–1914. The concept is influenced by Fernand Braudel's idea of the "long 16th century" (c. 1450–1640).

According to Hobsbawn, the long 19th century begins with the French Revolution that established a republic in Europe and ends with the start of World War I, upon the conclusion of which in 1918 the long-enduring European power balance of the 19th century proper (1801–1900) was eliminated.

A more generalized version of the long 19th century, lasting from 1750 to 1914, is often used notably by textbook author and Professor of History at George Mason University, Peter N. Stearns.^[1]

A sequel to the above-mentioned trilogy, The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century, 1914–1991, details the short 20th century beginning with World War I and ending with the fall of the Soviet Union.

See also

• 18th century
• 20th century
• Belgium in the long 19th century
• France in the long 19th century

References