The Creation of Germany & more European & Russian History Classes Start Oct. 16 - 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 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 
Born into a dynasty steeped in centuries of power and tradition but also teetering on the brink of collapse, Franz Joseph inherited a sprawling, disparate empire that was crying for reform and a dysfunctional family that suffering from the effects of intrigue and inbreeding. With extraordinary self-discipline and dedication, Franz Joseph managed to hold them all more or less together, but an emperor’s private life cannot be separated from his public one, and the end of his long reign saw the destruction of everything. Franz Joseph’s life is a gripping tale of duty, power, politics, love, and loss, all played out on the world stage. Instructor: Nancy Maxwell. Scroll down for bio.
1 Session $ 29 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 25)
Fri., 10/23 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.

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