In our introductory lecture, Dr. Tombs sets the stage for the history of Europe, beginning with the significant changes around 1688 that marked the end of religious wars and the emergence of Enlightenment thinking. The lecture examines key Enlightenment principles including reason, tolerance, and progress, while highlighting influential figures such as Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau, and discussing the complex relationship between Enlightenment ideals and their practical implications for colonialism, slavery, and modern criticisms.

In lecture two, we explore the paradox of the Enlightenment era as a time of intellectual progress and unprecedented warfare, focusing on the major conflicts that shaped 18th-century Europe and their global impact. We examine how sea power, commerce, and financial systems influenced the balance of power, particularly between Britain and France, and how rising patriotism transformed traditional loyalties. We also analyze the French Revolution, its aftermath, and Napoleon’s impact, highlighting the shift toward an international order aimed at maintaining peace through diplomacy.

In lecture three, we study Europe's transformative period during the Industrial Revolution, focusing on the shift from an organic to a mineral economy and its far-reaching social and political consequences. The lecture examines how technological innovations, primarily in England, led to unprecedented economic growth and urbanization, while also discussing the emergence of new political ideologies, particularly nationalism and romanticism. Finally, we address the evolution of political rights and representation across Europe, including the gradual expansion of suffrage and the emergence of socialist movements.