Reform and Revolution in Mainz 1743 1803

On one level a history of the Electorate of Mainz in the eighteenth century this book also seeks to illuminate a much wider area. In particular it is intended to be a contribution to the debate on the ''German Problem'' - the growing cultural and political divergence between Germany and Western Europe in the modern period. Many historians have identified the crucial phase of this development in the nineteenth century; Dr Blanning argues that the eighteenth century was of equal if not greater importance.