-
Period: to
Warfare in Europe
-
English Civil War
Death of Charles IKing Charles I was defeated by Parliament in the English Civil War and he became the first monarch in Europe to be executed. Nathaniel Crouch recorded the last words of Charles I prior to his execution. Charles I insisted on his innocence and expressed his strong faith in God’s judgment on him. Charles I’s defeat along with his speech demonstrated how the British monarchy was severely weakened. The English Civil War also demonstrated the success of the parliamentary system. -
War of the Spanish Succession
King William of England Addresses Parliament on the French QuestionAfter King Charles II of Spain died on November 1, 1700, France fought a war against an alliance of Britain and the Habsburg monarchy in order to decide who would become the next king of Spain. King William of England made an address to Parliament and argued that France’s desire to control the Spanish crown would threaten the liberty of the rest of Europe. His address demonstrated that Britain was very concerned about French aggression on continental Europe and wanted to balance power. -
French Invasion of Russia
Napoleon's Retreat from MoscowThe French Invasion on Russia marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. In “Napoleon’s withdrawal from Russia,” a painting by Adolph Northen, Napoleon’s army was portrayed as being very weak and tired due to the Russian winter. Napoleon had a depressing expression on his face. Combined with the dead bodies in the snow, the painting served to portray how the Russian invasion was a demoralizing experience for Napoleon and how it was the beginning of the French Empire's collapse. -
The Crimean War
The Charge of the Light BrigadeThe conflict between Russia and the alliance of France, Britain, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia was known as the Crimean War. In “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” a poem written in 1854, Alfred Tennyson, the poet laureate of Britain, wrote about the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. The poem portrayed the bravery of the British light cavalry in the battle despite suffering from heavy Russian fire. The poem served as propaganda that served to honor these soldiers. -
World War I
Austria-Hungary's Ultimatum to SerbiaAfter the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, the Austrian government issued an ultimatum to Serbia. The Austrian Ultimatum to Serbia demanded Serbia to suppress movements against the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Serbia did not accept the request for Austria-Hungary to participate in the Serbian judiciary. Austria-Hungary subsequently declared war on Serbia. The ultimatum was significant as it represented imperialist ambitions of Austria-Hungary and the accumulated conflict within the Balkans. -
World War II
Address by Neville ChamberlainNeville Chamberlain issued a speech to the British House of Commons after Germany began its invasion in Poland. Chamberlain listed examples of how Germany did not have intentions to maintain peace despite Britain and Poland’s willingness to negotiate with Germany. Chamberlain concluded by requesting Parliament to allow the government to draft young men into the army. Chamberlain’s speech represented a change in Britain’s attitude towards Nazi Germany and the loss of hope for peace in Europe.
