Political history of recent times, 1816-1875, with special reference to Germany

Front matter

LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA • SAN DIEGO

by

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Preface

IN presenting Professor Miiller's " Politische Geschichte der Neuesten Zeit " to the public in an English dress, the translator, with Professor Miiller's permission, has somewhat abridged the space allotted to Germany, and enlarged that allotted to England, while omitting the United States entirely. He has also accorded slightly fuller mention to one or two of the secondary States. These, and a few other insignificant changes, he has not thought it necessary to indicate in the text. The third edition of Professor Miiller's work, from which this translation has been made, appeared in 1875. The translator has added several sections, bringing the history forward to the year 1882 ; in doing which he has relied for his materials almost exclusively (up to 1881) on Professor Miiller's annual publication, " Politische Geschichte der Gegenwart " — the same method which Professor Miiller himself pursued in writing the history of the period 1870-1875. It would, therefore, be unfair to make Professor Miiller responsible for that portion of the work. The translator has used for the most part his materials, but followed his own discretion in the selection and mode of presentation.

The difficulty of composing an unbiassed record of the immediate past must be so manifest to all, that it is hardly necessary to ask the reader's indulgence for the shortcomings of the last period. Since the section on France was written, Gambetta, the " man of revenge," has fallen (January 26, 1882), substantially on the question of " Scrutin de liste," and been succeeded by de Freycinet, the man of peace, supported by Le"on Say and Jules Ferry, thus reversing for the present French foreign policy. In other countries the outlook has not materially changed since the various sections went to press.

iv PREFACE.

The publication of the official statistics of the Franco-Prussian war, however, necessitates a few changes in the numbers given on page 459. The total number of French officers who were made prisoners, laid down their arms, or were disarmed, was 21,508 ; of common soldiers, 702,343. The number of French officers taken as prisoners of war to Germany was 11,360; of common soldiers, 371,981. The number of cannon captured was 7441 ; of eagles and colors, 107.

I have endeavored to make the book useful for purposes of general reference by the addition of a general index, arranged as far as possible under general heads ; a complete index of all persons mentioned ; and an exact index of principal dates.

My thanks are due to the friends who have assisted me in various ways, and, above all, to President White (of Cornell University)

and Professor Miiller.

JOHN P. PETERS.

Prefatory Note

Fon many years — as Professor of Modern History, first at the State University of Michigan, afterward at Cornell University — I had been seeking a work which should give to thoughtful students a view, large but concise, of the political history of Continental Europe in the nineteenth century.

Such a work was needed by students preliminary to the lectureroom, and by the general public preparatory to reading the newspapers.

The search seemed hopeless. The number of historical works upon the period was immense, but there was nothing which answered the purpose ; all were either lifeless compilations or extended treatises, giving a world of confusing incidents.

Occasionally I found a work which seemed likely to be useful; but if short, it was dry, and if long it wove about the subject a web of details which soon shut out any large general view. But at last I came upon the " Politischc Geschichte der Neuesten Zeit," by Professor Wilhelm Miiller, of Tubingen. The fact that it had run through several editions showed that it was appreciated in Germany ; three readings of it satisfied me that it is what is needed in America.

The whole course of Continental history since 1815 is wisely divided into periods, and the development of each nation is kept distinct, yet easily brought into relations with that of every other; the events presented are those an American mainly cares to know, and unobscured by those he does not care to know. It is not an abridgment ; it is a living history ; the style is clear, the spirit manly and healthy.

Pervading the whole is faith in the existence of good on earth, vi PREFATORY NOTE.

hope in well-ordered liberty ; skepticism as to the efficiency of noise and political hysterics ; contempt for sham statesmanship ; hatred for selfish and stupid statesmanship, yet withal impartiality, though often the impartiality of a just judge reviewing careers and courses of scoundrelism.

I have succeeded in inducing a gentleman, whose ability gives every guarantee, ^o translate this book, and would most heartily commend it to every young man, whether he call himself a student or not, who desires a clear idea of that political development in modern Europe which has brought on the amazing events of these latter years.

To general readers it will give what they most wish to know ; for students it will serve to bind together and bring into proper relations what they may secure by special studies.

ANDREW D. WHITB.

BERLIN, My 8, 1881.