Franz Joseph: The Last Habsburg Emperor & More History Classes Start Oct. 23 - 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.

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
Raised by modern minded royal parents, indulged by his grandmother Queen Victoria, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was well positioned to lead his state into the new century with a peaceful, pragmatic approach. But Wilhelm was about as complicated a ruler as can be imagined, and instead, his aggressive bluster and posturing split the family, divided Europe into opposing camps, and drove the world inexorably to World War I. How did it happen? What was he thinking? In assessing Wilhelm, historians may confuse the nation with the man, but an exploration of his life reveals surprising answers about the last emperor of Germany. Instructor: Nancy Maxwell. Scroll down for bio.

1 Session $ 29 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 25)
Fri., 10/30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.

The Russian Revolution
Like the German and Austrian empires, the Russian empire too was a casualty of the First World War. Had war not broken out, would the tsars have been able to maintain autocratic control of the country? Had Lenin not returned via a sealed train, would the moderate politicians have prevailed? This course will examine the state of Russia and its government in the early twentieth century and then follow the chain of events that toppled Nicholas II, destroyed the Romanov dynasty, and brought Lenin to power after the outbreak of war. Instructor: Nancy Maxwell. Scroll down for bio.

2 Sessions $ 42 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 37)
Fri., 11/13 and 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.

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