Revolutionary Europe, 1789-1989 : liberty, equality, solidarity / David S. Mason.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 217-223) and index.

Introduction : change and tradition in Europe -- The old regime and the Enlightenment -- The French Revolution and Napoleon -- The Industrial Revolution and the birth of capitalism -- 1848 : the people's spring -- Marx, Marxism and socialism -- Darwinism and social Darwinism -- The unification of Germany and Italy -- The Age of Imperialism and the scramble for Africa -- World War I -- The Russian Revolution and communism -- World War II and the Holocaust -- Europe divided and the Cold War -- 1989 : the collapse of communism and the end of the Cold War -- The European Union : Europe united and free? -- Conclusions : Europe in the 21st century.

Publisher description: Highlighting the key events, ideas, and individuals that have shaped modern Europe, this fresh and lively book provides a concise history of the continent from the Enlightenment to the integration of the European Union. Drawing on the enduring theme of revolution, David S. Mason explores the causes and consequences of revolution: political, economic, and scientific; the development of human rights; and issues of European identity and integration. He deliberately avoids a detailed chronology of every country and time period by emphasizing the most crucial events in shaping contemporary Europe. Fourteen focused chapters address such topical issues as the Enlightenment; the French Revolution and Napoleon; the Industrial Revolution; the theories and impact of Marx and Darwin; the revolutions of 1848, 1917, and 1989; the unifications of Germany and Italy; European imperialism; the two World Wars; the Cold War; and the evolution and expansion of the European Union. Any reader who wants to view the broad sweep of European history will find this book an engaging narrative.