MODERN ERA 1750 - 1914

Modern Era (1750-1914) “The long nineteenth century” – Eric Hobsbawm. Period bounded by 1750 when power of West grows due to industrialization and WWI. World History recognizes that the West did not enter new regions unimpeded. How did cultures react to western influence?

Themes: Changes Columbian Exchange is over. Residue - Impact continues, but process is over. Age of gunpowder empires is over. Safavid and Mughal empires over. Ottoman still there, but looses territory on the fringe: Balkans, Egypt. Chinese empire diminishes.

Themes: Continuities Rise of the West and power rebalancing continues. World economy continues, but with significant innovations. Russia undergoing adjustments, but still strong.

New Themes World position of the West becomes more decisive. World reacts to the West diversely and with different results. Redefinition of the world economy – every society has to deal with the West – not necessarily westernization, but have to decide what features of the West to imitate. Remember globalization as westernization?

New Themes cont’d Every society has to begin to discuss processes of modernization and processes of globalization – these are connected notions. Power position of the West. Military edge over every society. Naval technology – steamship – allowed westerners to enter far up African and Indian rivers.

Regulations for Steam Ship Passage

New Themes cont’d West begins to operate inland. Light artillery, repeating rifles, standardization of parts, introduction of machine gun. Now 200 men could hold off tens of thousands of “natives.”

Important Events 1770: James Watt’s steam engine starts industrial revolution. 1776-1783: American Revolution. 1788: Colonization of Australia begins. 1789-1815: French Revolution & Napoleon. 1798: Napoleon defeats Ottoman Empire in Egypt – illustrates military power shift.

James Watts’ Steam Engine

Important Events 1815: British annexation of Cape Town and Southern Africa. 1822: Brazil declares independence. 1823: Monroe Doctrine. 1839 - 1841: Opium Wars between England and China (most widely traded good in late 19th century). 1848: Communist Manifesto published.

Important Events 1853: Perry expedition to Japan. 1854-1856: Britain and France defeat Russia in Crimean War. 1858: British parliament assumes control of India. 1871-1912: Height of European imperialism. 1886-1888: Slavery abolished in Cuba and Brazil.

International Trade International trade continues – a continuity, but a change in magnitude. New methods of technology brought on by industrialization. Increases variety and amount of goods. Increased ability to distribute goods –steamships etc.

International Trade Atlantic equals Indian Ocean as a trade centre. Western factory goods become dominate features. In 19th century it is impossible to be “external”. The West will force you (militarily or economically) into the global market.

International Trade As societies, like China, come into the market they tend to be “peripheral.” “Core” characteristics intensify, “peripheral” characteristics intensify and increase. In 1800, average Mexican had standard of living 2/3rds of a newly created U.S. citizen. Within a few years standard of living has declined to 1/3rd – increased standard of living for U.S. and decline for Mexican reflects nation’s place in world economy.

International Trade “Periphery” economies might try to imitate the West and import the most advanced industrial technologies. Japan does this best – import all railroad equipment until 20th century. In Venezuela they bought technology for coffee production. The need for coffee changes landholding patterns. Grown in the interior they need railroads from the West – they buy with borrowed money.

International Trade International indebtedness is a huge feature of 19th century. Allows international business and bankers to interfere in government affairs. Foreign investment allows for huge monopoly of resources. 1874: First universal postal system benefits West who needs communication.

Changes in the World Economy In Pre-Modern Era coerced labor was imperative. In 19th century coerced labor is abolished. Age old systems of labor abolished or challenged. 1808 slave trade abolished. 1833 slavery abolished in British Empire. WHY?

The international slave trade officially ended January 1808

William Wilberforce

Changes in World Economy “No longer profitable” (Eric Williams) – most historians disagree with that. Rise of a new humanitarian sentiment – a new value system – increasingly a global effort – perhaps due to increased communication. Enlightenment Philosophy Growth of Evangelicals Increased slave resistance

Changes in World Economy Russians advocating the end to serfdom based on these values – “if we don’t abolish slavery we are backward.” Abolition of slavery takes place in correlation with increased population growth – slave can be replaced with cheap labor (often immigrants). Semi-coerced labor – indentured servitude- still exists – a lot of Asians sign up for this.

Modernization In reaction to Western power societies see what needs to be done. Public Health (not modern medicine) Cleaning up Japan in 1860s – 1870s. Colonial powers in Africa. Growing global interest in public health leads to population explosion in 19th century.

Modernization All societies are engaged in military modernization. New training for troops. New hierarchies – officers. New weapons (Japan and China) Colonial forces upgrade African and Indian forces.

Modernization Interest in new types of education. Literacy in 1900: Some training in science and technology. Acknowledge that more people need to be educated – even women. Educated mothers produced educated sons. Literacy in 1900: Industrial 95% Latin America 20% Africa 10%

Nationalism Growing commitment to nationalism a Western invention that becomes explicit in the French Revolution. Has spread throughout the world by end of 19th century. A way to defend real or imagined traditions. Allows you to speak a modern language – “national aspirations” rather than “tribal aspirations.” We need to bolster the nation by . . .” a way to simultaneously praise tradition and introduce change.

What about the U.S.? U.S. becomes a world power after 1860s. Is it part of the West or is it distinctive? Does it make contributions or does it just copy Europe? U.S. abolish monarchy – has Atlantic significance. Global importance not felt until 20th century. “Internationalize our sense of U.S. history”