17th - 20th Century European and Russian History Classes Start October 2 on Fridays at 10 a.m.

Welcome to Ridgefield Continuing Education!  We have many fascinating European History classes starting soon, taught by Nancy Maxwell (scroll down for bio) – on Fridays at 10 a.m.  on Zoom.

Advance registration is required. Registration contact information and the website link to all classes, as well as a downloadable brochure, is at the bottom of this article.

The Creation of Italy
A visitor to Italy today travels freely about to explore the prized cities of Florence, Naples, Rome, and Venice. But it was not always so easy: Italy is a relatively new country, and the fabled cities may indeed be regarded as prizes, because they did not all join Italy willingly! It took a combination of the wily statesman Camillo Cavour, the political activism of the secret revolutionary Giuseppe Mazzini, and the romantic nationalism of Giuseppe Garibaldi – none of whom wanted to work together - to draw disparate “Italians” together. And even that wasn’t quite enough. Napoleon III and Bismarck had something to add. This presentation will look at the remarkable personalities and events that led to the emergence of a unified Italy in 1871. Instructor: Nancy Maxwell. Scroll down for bio.
1 Session $ 29 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 25)
Fri., 10/2 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.

The Creation of Germany 
Perhaps because of her dominant role in two world wars, it is easy to think of Germany as an old nation with a long history. But Germany is a young state, less than 150 years old. The original territory was divided into myriad small holdings ruled by independent noble families and surrounded by the powerful states of Austria and France; the path to unification would be blocked by all of these. Despite earlier attempts, it took the rise of Otto von Bismarck, with his cunning, wisdom, and political acuity, to overcome all these obstacles and establish the German Empire. This class will consider the events and personalities that led to the creation of the German Empire. Instructor: Nancy Maxwell. Scroll down for bio.
1 Session $ 29 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 25)
Fri., 10/16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.

Franz Joseph - The Last Habsburg Emperor on Friday, 10/23 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.  Description on website (scroll down).
1 Session $29 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $25)

Kaiser Wilhelm II on Friday, 10/30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.  Description on website (scroll down).
1 Session $29 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $25)

The Russian Revolution on Fridays, 11/13 and 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.  Description on website (scroll down).
2 Sessions $42 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $37)

World War I on Fridays, 12/4 and 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.  Description on website (scroll down).
2 Sessions $42 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $37)

Love and Treachery on Friday, 1/8 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.  Description on website (scroll down).
1 Session $29 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $25)

George VI - The Reluctant King on Friday, 1/22 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.  Description on website (scroll down).
1 Session $29 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $25)


Nancy Maxwell - Instructor Bio:

As a student at Cornell, Ms. Maxwell was encouraged to major in Psychology, but her interest in the humanities was always paramount, and her reading of History has taken pride of place.

As a teacher and counselor in an international school in Switzerland for more than twenty years, she had the opportunity to familiarize herself with the palaces and cathedrals of European cities, to savor the extraordinary wealth of artistic treasure that they contain, and to walk in the very footsteps of historical figures.  She relates both the history and many interesting anecdotes and stories about the historic figures.

Also available . . .

• Mushroom Walk, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga, Cardio, LaBlast, Zumba, Line Dance, Event, Swing, Club and Ballroom Dance.

• French, Italian, Spanish, Writing, History, Archaeology.

• DSLR and Mirrorless Photography, iPhone Photography, iPhone.

• AI (Artificial Intelligence), eBay, Google Docs, Windows, iPhone, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Microsoft Office Tutorials.

• Knitting, Crochet

• Interiors, Elder Law.

• Bridge, Mah Jongg.

• And more . . .

Advance registration required. Visit https://ridgefieldschools.org for registration and more information.

eMail ridgefieldce@gmail.com

Phone Peggy Bruno at 203-431-2812