This talk looks at the different empires and peoples occupying Central and Eastern Europe from 1569, focusing mainly on the Russian empire (including the Pale of Settlement), the Hapsburg Austro-Hungarian empire, the Prussian/German empire and the Ottoman empire who were all fighting over the map of Europe in the 18th century, but including significant historic events such as uprisings and revolutions which paved the way for the Napoleonic empire, and then the wave of nationalism that swept Europe in the 19th century, leading up to WW1. The changes between WW1 and WW2, and post war are also included.
About Jill Whitehead
Jill Whitehead is a member of JGSGB Council. She studied A level European history and geography whilst at school, and then social and economic history and geography, as part of her Social Science degree. She is a retired Social Research manager who has recently written a local history book. Her ancestors all came from the Suwalki Lomza gubernias in NE Poland (now partly in Lithuania) - this was very much a border area that changed hands multiple times - to Northern England or Scotland between 1865 and 1875.
After the talk, there will be an opportunity for Q&A on the talk.
If you have problems joining, please email chair@jgsgb.org.uk, preferably in the 15 minutes before the meeting proper starts.
JGSGB members, please remember to log in to the members’ area of the JGSGB website before booking, and your £5 fee will be waived.