The Rise of the Great Powers 1648-1815

by Derek McKay, H.M. Scott

From BackThe heyday of the European states system was in the century before the First World War. How the system of five great powers in conscious equilibrium came into being is the central theme of this book; for the states system was indeed something new, and requires explanation. In the late seventeenth century the ascendancy of France in Europe was unchallenged, replacing the dominance of the Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs; but by the eighteenth century France was only one of five major states of nearly equal strength, three at least of which (Prussia, Russia and Great Britain) were newcomers to the first rank. Forged out of the shifting rivalries and alliances of these great powers, the states system was strong enough by the end of the eighteenth century to withstand the convulsive impact of the French Revolution and the subsequent attempt at French hegemony through the military imperialism of Napoleon.It is a complex story that Derek McKay and H.M. Scott have to tell, and a crowded canvas. Readers will be the more grateful, therefore, for the clarity of their exposition, which weaves narrative and analysis together with exemplary skill. The period covered by the book also saw the development of the diplomatic institutions and practices that are still with us today, and the authors examine these, along with the domestic, dynastic, territorial, commercial and ideological factors which determined the relations between states. They bring to the subject not only the fruits of recent research, but also modern approaches to the problems of the past. The result is an engrossing book, and the only up-to-date survey in any language of this central theme in European history.This is the first in a sequence of books dealing with the rise and fall of the European states system. The second, by F.R. Bridge and Roger Bullen, describes The Great Powers and the European States System 1815-1914 ; and the third and last is The Great Powers and the Decline of the European States System 1914-1945 , by Graham Ross.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

378 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Derek McKay was Senior Lecturer in International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Reviews

[Альберто Лорэдо · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as it was one of the most quoted in English historiography of the period. It lives up to its reputation as it's a great summary of all the most notable diplomatic and military events of these 150+ years period.

However, there are some topics covered in the book that have been amply revised with new historiographic findings and look a bit cringy in such a reverenced book.

[Legens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed diplomatic history of Europe from 1648 to 1815. The military and economic dimension is included where relevant for the diplomatic events. The structure is clear and sound - which makes it all the easier for me to know where I disagree with the author's assessments.
- Austria's power seems to be frequently underrated, Prussia's overrated. Prussia's defensive success in the Seven Years' War only confirmed Prussia's great power status (and saved her existence), it did not make Prussia the leading power in Germany (neither did the Congress of Vienna).
- Prussia also gets a bad rap for its alleged cynical expansionism. I fail to see how Frederick II's thin claims on Silesia are any different from Louis XIV's pretexts for his wars of "reunion", and Prussia's expansion was much less impressive than that of Russia, not even Austria (in Italy and the Balkans), let alone Britain (if you count overseas expansion as well).
- Britain's motives are generally seen with more lenience than those of other powers - probably because the (British) authors have an easier time sympathizing with Britain's security desires and blind spots (like the British quest for a "balance of power", which in the 18th and 19th centuries for Britain meant "balance of power in Europe, and British global preponderance").
Despite these disagreements with the authors, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learned much, particularly regarding the age of Louis XIV and the regency years immediately afterward.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Rise of the Great Powers, 1648-1815" is the history of how the European State system that existed in the century before World War I, given that premise historians Derek McKay and H.M. Scott focus on the diplomatic developments from the end of the Thirty Years War to the end of the Congress of Vienna. Even with the focus of the book being on the diplomatic side of events, the complexity of events from military events to economic concerns to internal state struggles over foreign policy are discussed as all three and more influenced how diplomacy was handled. In the course of approximately 170 years, the landscape of European power shifted numerous times as old powers fell away (Spain) or the new grew in strength (France, Britain, Russia, Prussia) or briefly existed (the Dutch Republic and Sweden) or endured despite weakness (Austria); all told in clear language and easily readable for the history enthusiast to get a general perspective of the time period.

[David Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly detailed and thorough book covering an extensive period of European history. Having already read the second book in the series (this book is the first) during my studies, I found Mckay and Scott's book extremely helpful for understanding the processes and themes leading up to the post-1815 world.

[Alexander B · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most engaging and coherent political histories of Europe I’ve read, albeit quite dense. An extremely succinct yet comprehensive description of the string of conflicts and wars from right after the Thirty Years War and through the Napoleonic wars, focusing of course in the diplomacy (but I find military history boring anyway, so this is perfect for me).

[Aarthika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Statecraft and strategy.