Chapter 23: The Emergence of Industrial Society in the West

Age of Revolution (1770’s to 1848) #1 & 2  Three forces were working to shatter Europe’s relative calm by the mid-18 th century: Cultural forces Economic forces Social forces

Cultural forces (#2a)  Enlightenment thinkers had called for full religious freedom, an end to aristocratic privileges, and widespread popular voice in government.  Thinkers like Rousseau called for government based on general will (democracy), and Voltaire called for the separation of the powerful church from the state, thereby giving more power to the people.

Economic Changes #2b  There was a call for an end to aristocratic privileges as industry grew.  Business owners viewed themselves as the “new” aristocracy, because they provided more wealth than the landowners. This helped fuel revolutionary ideas. France’s Parliamentary Representation

Social Changes #2c  Western Europe experienced a huge population jump after 1730 known as the population revolution.  Several factors contributed to this boom including improved nutrition from the potato and reduced child mortality rates.  This growing population joined the working classes of Europe and placed economic pressure on nations, sparking popular protests and calls for change.

Social Changes cont’d #2c  This population had dramatic impacts.  The growing number of middle and lower class led to demands for change.

More Revolutions  To go along with population and industrial revolutions of the time period, you had revolutions fought for freedom and rights in America and France.  Both were largely influenced by Enlightenment ideas and ended up with significant and parallel documents stating their rights. (Declaration of Independence and Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen)

Both Revolutions were fought to end monarchial oppression. Louis XVI of FranceKing George III of Britain

The Guillotine  The guillotine was originally created by a French physician as a more humane form of execution.  It came to symbolize the terror and bloodshed of France’s revolution.

Key Figures of the French Revolution Maximilien Robespierre (Reign of Terror) Napoleon Bonaparte (Emperor)

Nationalism in France #4  In France, an unprecedented growth in national pride, a.k.a. nationalism, began to take place during the revolution.  People felt enormous pride in helping create a “new” France that represented a majority of its citizens.  This loyalty overshadowed church or regional pride. “Can you hear the people sing?”

Nationalism Elsewhere (#5)  Napoleon’s campaigns spread nationalistic and revolutionary ideas outside of France to other European nations.  As his armies conquered other European lands, the populations of those regions saw the need to unify their efforts behind a common cause and culture. Prussian Flag

Congress of Vienna #6  After Napoleon’s defeat, a meeting of European powers was called.  They met to establish a peace settlement that would make further revolutions in Europe impossible.  They made several key changes including: 1) Surrounding France with strong powers to prevent their growth. 2) Also restored many European monarchs to the throne.

Political Classes Emerge #7  As a result of the Congress of Vienna, several new political classes emerged. A) Conservatives: They were against revolutionary goals and favored little to no change whatsoever. B) Liberals: Touted some important changes like freedoms (religion, press, and assembly), economic and social changes. C) Radicals: Wanted widespread changes such as democracy or socialism (both radical at that time)

Left-wing or right-wing??

Industrial changes and government services #9  Transportation improved as railroads and canals improved infrastructure. Industry and urban growth skyrocketed.  For the first time in human history, more people lived in cities than rural areas.  Governments provided more services for their citizens such as sanitation departments (mention Louis Pastuer), parks, museums, housing, and police forces.

Science leads to reform Louis Pasteur and the germ theory New York Sanitation Department

Industrial Revolution #10  By the 1830’s, industrialization had spread throughout Europe (and America) and added to social pressures.  It led to discontent among factory workers over wages, hours, and work conditions.  Corporations arose encouraging more and more stockholders to invest large amounts of money in the company.  These stockholders demanded profit at all cost.

Labor Unions #10  Since profit was the primary goal during the early years of industry, worker’s rights were frequently neglected.  Labor unions began to emerge fighting for improve conditions and higher pay.

Opponents of capitalism (#13) Karl Marx  Naturally, the stress and demand placed on workers combined with the overbearing drive of owners and stockholders led to problems.  Many began to speak out against the evils of industrialization and the capitalist system it thrived on.  Chief among those individuals was German economist, Karl Marx.

Marxism #13  Marx believed that human history was shaped by who controlled resources and means of production.  Those who did held the economic and political power within society and used it to take advantage of those without wealth- producing property (the proletariat).  Therefore, Marx organized society into two classes: 1) the “haves” 2) the “have-nots”

Marxism #13  Marx believed that these classes would always struggle against one another and that when the proletariat grew large enough or bold enough, they would rebel against the upper classes.  After overthrowing the elite, the proletariat would create a society where everyone labored equally and wealth was shared evenly.  Classes would disappear as a utopian community emerged.  All of these beliefs were compiled in his revolutionary work, The Communist Manifesto.

Marxism Cont’d

Industrialization in Europe (1850)

Prussian growth under Otto von Bismark #11  Bismark was a prime example of a nationalistic ruler. He played on the interests of the middle and lower classes to win popular support.  For example, he extended voting rights to all men and allowed far more rights for the Prussian press.  He promoted mass education and ironically, granted religious freedom to Jews.

Bismark’s Prussia #11  Most of all, he saw military success as a vital means of creating national pride.  He was known as the “blood and iron” chancellor for his commitment to warfare and industrial growth.  He waged war on Denmark, Austria, and France to increase Prussian territory and in 1871 all Prussian provinces were unified into the new nation of Germany.  Bismark is the creator of a political style of rule known as realpolitik, where a country’s decisions are based on its current situation and needs rather than what is morally right or wrong.

Increased Government Functions #12  Governments began to expand and take on new functions and roles.  Western governments began instituting civil service exams. (Only about a 1,000 years behind China).  Created compulsory education in some cases all the way through high school. Schools increased literacy and also taught nationalistic superiority.

Feminist Movements #14  Other powerful movements of the time period were in the area of female rights.  Women fought for equal job opportunities, higher education, and the right to vote.

The Emergence of Mass Leisure Culture (p.527)

European Alliances  Military aggression and nationalism fed into the rivalry between key European nation- states.  As a result, these nations began building up their militaries.  Combine these problems with new alliance systems that emerged in Europe and you have a deadly recipe for war.  European nations thought that if they allied with one another, no one would want to fight. BIG MISTAKE!

European Alliances  Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia)  Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy)

Balkan nationalism  As the Ottoman Empire weakened, small Balkan nations won their independence.  These nations were fiercely hostile toward one another due to territorial claims, religious differences, and ethnic diversity.  The situation was so volatile that the Balkans came to be known as “the powder keg of Europe”.