Themes & Context
• The Enlightenment led to three developments that make
Europe a global power during the long 19th century:
revolution, industrialization, & imperialism.
• The shift from agrarian and handicraft economies to
industry and machine manufacturing was propelled by
agricultural productivity, greater specialization
urbanization, the rise of fossil fuels, steam power, iron,
and the factory system.
• Virtually every society was forced to react to the West
as new technology spurred greater global contact than
ever before
Emerging Industrial Society in West
Age of Revolutions
1775-1850
Chapter 23
pgs. 512-536
Forces of Change
Age of revolution caused by 3 major forces
1. Cultural changes of Enlightenment
2. Population revolution
•
Created increased competition for power & wealth,
leading to new class struggles
3. Commercial change w/ proto-industrialization
•
•
New wealth of middle-class challenges aristocracy
Increased manufacturing & market relationships
among working class
American Revolution
• Causes:
• British interference
• Increased commerce → reduced social equality
• Declaration of Independence
• Formalized rebellion won w/ perseverance & aid
from French
• Results
• Enlightenment inspired constitution w/ checks &
balances, guarantees of liberties, widespread voting
1 of 2
French Revolution
• French crisis in 1789 → restructuring of Europe
• Causes:
• common forces + ineffective gov & economic slump
• 1st step:
• Louis XVI bends to new middle-class majority
• Declaration of Rights of Man & storming of Bastille
• Peasants seize manorial records & lands
• New constitution = limited monarchy, limited
democracy, established liberties
2 of 2
French Revolution
• 2nd step:
• Robespierre & radicals push revolution forward
• Near civil war breaks out w/ increased aristocratic &
church opposition → Reign of Terror
• Centralizes gov but fails to win widespread support
• 3rd step:
• Napoleon adds authoritarianism & expansion
• Limits expression, but promotes religious freedom,
equality, education
• Spreads revolutionary ideals throughout Europe
Revolutionary Legacy
• The establishment responds at Vienna
• Conservatism = opposed change
• Used territorial realignments to stabilize Europe
• Political movements to challenge conservatives
• Liberalism = limited gov, representation, freedoms
• Radicalism, Socialism, Nationalism
• Continued revolution & reform
• in Greece, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium,
Britain, & U.S.
Industry & Revolution - 1848
• Industrialization added pressure for social
reform, nationalism, & revolution
• EX – Chartist Movement
• Revolutions of 1848 largely failures
• BUT…serfdom abolished, transportation reduced
famine, industrial classes based on wealth replace
feudal classes
“Liberty Leading the People”
-a romantic view of nationalism & the 1830 revolution in France
Emerging Industrial Society in West
Consolidating Industrial Order
1850-1914
Chapter 23
pgs. 512-536
Adjustments of Industrial Life
• Cultural changes
• Birth rates drop → children = emotional satisfaction
• Women’s moral roles emphasized
• Health changes
• Pasteur discovers germs → death rates plummet
• Commercial changes
• Rise of corporations & labor unions
• Peasants improve efficiency & focus on cash crops
Political Trends & New Nations
• After 1850, major issues of revolutionary period
resolved w/ compromise
• Most of West = parliamentary democracy, basic freedoms
• Nationalism increasingly a force
• Cavour consolidates Italy
• Bismarck consolidates Germany
New Government Functions
• Functions & power of gov expand
• Expanded bureaucracy → gov regulation
• Development of welfare programs
• Social issues central - new movements
• Socialism (Karl Marx): added tough-minded revolution
to class struggle
• Becomes key minority political force in Europe
• Feminism (Pankhurst)
Cultural Transformations
_
Emphasis on Pleasure
• Consumption grows to meet pace of production
• Marketing & advertising emphasize “need” for products
• Mass leisure culture
• Newspapers, theater, movies, vacations all boom
• Sports: big business, but reflects values
• Consumption & leisure reflect new secularism
New Science & Art
• Science advances rationalism due to prosperity &
education
• Darwin & evolution
• Einstein & physics
• Freud & social sciences
• Art experiences opposite trends, turning toward
emotion & away from rationalism
• Romanticism
• Western culture lacked the ease & congruence of
its appearance
Western Settler Societies
_
• Industrialization fueled W. Europe’s expansion
• Economically: need for colonies, new markets, raw
materials
• Militarily: new steamships, rifles, machine guns
• Demographically: population growth leads to massive
emigration
• Settler societies play key role in extending Western
patterns
The U.S.
• Prior to Civil War, U.S. was not significant
• Exports less profitable than Latin America
• Efforts focused on internal development
• Post-Civil War sees U.S. become global player
• Industrialization & westward expansion leads to
economic success, exporting food to Europe
• Still, U.S. diplomatically, artistically, & intellectually
seemed dependent on Europe, only gaining
ground at end of period
Canada, Australia, New Zealand
• Commonalities: part of British empire, given limited
self-gov to prevent revolution, greater economic &
cultural dependence than U.S.
• Canada: French history prevents unity
• Australia: founded as penal colony, economy based on
sheep & gold
• New Zealand: difficulties w/ Maori, economy based on
sheep
Diplomatic Tensions & WWI
_
• Imperialist expansion & rise of Germany threaten
balance of power in Europe
• Alliance system grows to protect national interests
• Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
• Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia
• Balkan nationalism fuels conflict & rivalry
• Conflict result of political divisions, using
nationalism to quiet protest, military buildup
• WWI starts, capping period of long 19th century
Russia: If you hit that
little feller, I’ll …
Austria: If you make
a move, I’ll…
Serbia: If you
touch me, I’ll…
Germany: If you
strike my friend,
I’ll …
France: If you hit
him, I’ll …
Hi there, if
you don’t …
Global Connections
_
• Imperialism & industrialization pushed European
interests to all corners of globe
• Global force like no previous civilization
• Revolutionary ideals spread too – often used in
response to European force