Module manager: Professor Holger Afflerbach
Email: H.Afflerbach@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The history of Imperial Germany ends where it started: in the "Hall of Mirrors" in Versailles. In January 1871 it was the place of Imperial coronation. On 28 June 1919, defeated Germany, now a republic, had to sign the peace treaty of Versailles in the same place. Imperial Germany was a society with a double face: in some fields it was an optimistic, quickly modernizing nation with avant garde culture and phenomenal economic growth rates. By contrast, Prussia in particular, possessed a notoriously conservative political system. This module will explore the key facets of this state and society. It will deal with Bismarck and his ideas for a United Germany (or Greater Prussia). The module will focus on his attempts to secure the German Empire’s place within the international order. It will deal with the German monarchy, and the roles played by the erratic Wilhelm II in particular. You will be exposed to the rich contradictions and tensions in Imperial German society; with widespread militarism on the one hand, and a rising political left on the other. We will study how, amid economic and governmental modernization, religious divisions played an important role in German politics and society. The module also incorporates study of the works of Theodor Fontane and Heinrich Mann, and analysis of how they influence our image of the period. The class will end with discussion of the transformations of German society in the crucible of World War, and the collapse of the monarchical order in November 1918. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module aims to equip you with the skills to study the history of Imperial Germany from a diverse range of perspectives. Study will be based on a blend of primary sources and secondary literature to highlight important key events and developments and focus also on the question how and why historians’ interpretations have changed over time.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically assess political and social developments in Imperial Germany.
2. Effectively evaluate major historiographical debates about Imperial Germany.
3. Analyse and interpret primary sources related to Imperial Germany.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Communicate complex ideas persuasively in essays and presentations.
5. Use primary sources and historiography to develop arguments and interpretations.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 179.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Essay: You will be invited to attend a 1-2-1 meeting the tutor to discuss an essay plan and bibliography
Presentation: You will be invited to attend a 1-2-1 meeting the tutor to discuss your approach to the presentation and its structure.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 70 |
| Coursework | Presentation | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The resit for the presentation assignment will be a recorded presentation.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
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