The armies of the German States and the Austrian Empire through the eyes of British travelers in 1814–1815

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Abstract

The conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars heralded a period of stabilisation within the social and political landscape of Europe. This development provided a significant opportunity for numerous British subjects who had previously been precluded from engaging in extended international travel. Between 1814 and 1815, they actively embarked on voyages to the continent, and upon returning, a number of them published accounts of their travels, including descriptions of the military forces of various European nations. These travelogues often provided insights into the characteristics of soldiers and officers from Austria, Prussia, and other German states. Consequently, they make a valuable resource for scholars engaged in the study of historical warfare within the domain of military-historical anthropology. While researchers have made efforts to address this issue, the vast quantity and diversity of travel literature has given rise to new inquiries and scholarly questions. A study of British tourists’ observations of representatives of the Austrian, Prussian, and other armies during their travels reveals a focus on the physical and moral characteristics of these groups, as well as their attitudes towards the defeated enemy. Furthermore, the data suggests that British tourists noted the contributions of these groups to the broader victory over Bonaparte. In their descriptions of Allied soldiers, authors often synthesised stereotypical representations with reflective analyses, allowing for discussions regarding the civilizational status of their military allies. Such narratives not only illuminated distinctive traits attributed to the “Other” but also delineated key elements associated with their own national identity.

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About the authors

Vladimir S. Eremin

Institute of World History, Russian Academy of Sciences; Saratov State University

Author for correspondence.
Email: ereminvst@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9232-7355
Scopus Author ID: 58902658600
ResearcherId: ABF-6605-2021

кандидат исторических наук, научный сотрудник, старший научный сотрудник Научно-образовательного центра «Региональное историко-культурное наследие и кросс-культурные связи»

Russian Federation, Moscow; Saratov

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