About the lecture

In this module, we think about what Germany was like in 1914, focusing on: (i) how the German Empire was structured geographically, in particular its system of Kingdoms, Grand Duchies, Duchies, Principalities, and Free cities; (ii) what the social structure of the German Empire was, and how the German nobility was ordered; (iii) what powers were possessed by the Kaiser; (iv) how important Prussia was, as the largest, most populous German state; (v) how the German Empire developed, from its foundation in 1871 to the end of the First World War in 1918; and (vi) how industrialisation and urbanisation progressed during the lifetime of the German Empire.

About the lecturer

Professor Matthew Jefferies is Professor of German History at the University of Manchester. His research interests focus on the German Democratic Republic, in particular its architecture, art, culture, politics, and photography. His recent publications include Contesting the German Empire 1871-1918 (2013), Imperial Culture in Germany, 1871-1918 (2003), and Politics and culture in Wilhelmine Germany (1995).