THE WINDS OF CHANGE – 19th Century German History and Culture: Industrialization and Internal Migration

You will receive access to the recording of four expert presentations and a handouts for each presentation. This video features four presentations exploring the impact of 19th-century industrialization and migration within Europe. We begin with the transformation of Germany into an industrial powerhouse, followed by a look at labour-related migration across the continent. We’ll then examine key sources for tracking migrants’ movements and lives, and finally, dive into real case studies that bring these historical journeys to life.

 

Price:

$125.00

Content

A -History of Industrialization

The invention of the steam engine revolutionized industry and transportation across Western Europe. This presentation will examine the course of industrialization in German states during the 19th century, focusing on the expansion of railways, innovations in textile and steel industries, and the rise of urban industrial centers.
Germany’s transition from an agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse gave rise to a substantial wage-earning labor class, driving profound social and political changes that shaped the nation by the dawn of the 20th century.

B – Labor-Related Migration within Europe

During the late 19th century, a growing number of people migrated across Europe in search of work opportunities. This movement was driven by various push and pull factors, including the rising demand for factory workers in urban centers and the declining need for rural labor due to agricultural mechanization. Many migrants also originated from economically underdeveloped regions in Eastern Europe, seeking better prospects in the wealthier industrialized areas of the West.

This presentation will discuss the typical experiences of migrants as they settled into large urban areas, exploring the challenges they faced and the opportunities they pursued.

C – Sources for Tracking Migrants

In this presentation, we will explore a variety of record sources that allow us to trace migrants on their journeys across regions, learn details about their lives in their chosen communities, and better understand the challenges and opportunities they encountered.

D – Case Studies

Let’s look at real-life experiences of individuals who made the difficult decision to leave their native villages in search of economic opportunities far from home. What experiences awaited them at their new place? What historical records tell us how their unique stories unfolded?