Three Mount Saint Mary College students recently presented papers at the New England Historical Association (NEHA) Virtual Spring 2021 Conference, forming a panel titled, "A Not-So Distant Mirror? Studying Revolution Times in a Revolution Time."
Mount senior and History major, Matthew Saeger of Wallkill, N.Y., started the panel off with his paper, "The Past in Our Prescience: Reflection on 19th-Century Europe's Links to a Year of Tumult." His paper covers material related to the French Revolution and the American Civil War, which Saeger compares to the present-day turmoil created by to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saeger said his paper conveys a simple truth: the situation could always be worse.
"We are tremendously fortunate to have the resources to allow for the education and the rest of society to adapt as well as it has during the past year or so of this pandemic," he explained, noting communication and technological luxuries society did not have in the 1800s.
Julia Foley, of Salisbury Mills, N.Y., compares 19th century Europe and 2020 in her paper titled "Times of Change: 19th Century Europe and 2020." Foley discusses these two revolutionary times filled with significant change and people who took action to spread awareness about what they believed in.
She wanted the audience to "grasp that there were both commonalities and differences between 19th century Europe and 2020, which were both revolutionary times."
Foley is expected to graduate from the Mount in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in History, with Education certifications in Early Childhood, Childhood, and Special Education.
In his paper titled "Times of Turmoil: America's President, Europe's 19th-Century, and Philosophy's Power," Ethan Rastadt of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. focuses on the philosophical and political movements of 19th century Europe, as well as what these philosophies from more than 200 years ago can do to help with political issues in the United States today.
Rastadt said he wanted to inspire the audience to contribute to the betterment of society in a logical and helpful manner. He believes that those who are well-versed in a particular topic and are prepared to speak up for what they believe in, could "have the possibility of being one of the next great philosophers, environmental activists, etc."
Although the country's political state can be tumultuous, he continued, "Nothing will get better if we continue to be complacent." Radstadt is expected to graduate from the Mount in the spring of 2023 with a master's in Adolescent Education, with a concentration in History and Special Education.
Foley and Rastadt are currently students of Michael McGuire, assistant professor of History at the Mount, who served as chair/commenter on their panel. McGuire and other professors encourage their students to engage with the broader academic community through events, such as the NEHA Conference. At the Mount, students can major in History, Social Sciences, Criminology, and more.
The New England Historical Association is a regional affiliate of the American Historical Association and includes more than 500 scholars working in all branches of history. Formed in 1965, its purpose is to promote scholarly interchange and to enhance teaching and scholarship in history. To learn more about NEHA, visit their website at www.newenglandhistorians.org.