Modern Thought [1871-1950]:
Characteristics Materialism Higher standard of living Development “zones” Inner Zone Br, Fr, Ger, Belg, Outer Zone Ire., Iberian Pen., most of Italy, Europe east of Ger. Underdeveloped Zone Afro-Asia
European Population of Cities & Urban Life Migration from Europe 1850-1940 60 million left Europe Went to US, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Australia/N.Zeal.
Corporations limited liability of investments & stocks. Mass production. Free Trade [esp. in GB] World Markets [Global Economy, Part II] Advance of Democracy Extension of the vote to the working class. Creating a “welfare state.” Germany -> GB
The Appeal of Socialism Rise of socialist marxist parties [esp. Ger. & Fr.] Not very successful in England.
10. Faith in Science Alone Science is at the core of industrialization. Charles Darwin - Evolution Origin of Species [1859] “survival of the fittest” Variations of species allow some to survive while others die out – Natural Selection
Reinforced secularists like Marx Challenged religion Religion was on the defensive, esp in cities
[con’t.] “Social Darwinism” Herbert Spenser Poor – ill-fated weak Prosperous – chosen strong Later used to justify the conquest of weaker people Eugenics – using genetics & selective breeding to improve the human race
D. Mendeleev (Russian)- use of periodic table [con’t.] D. Mendeleev (Russian)- use of periodic table Marie Curie (French)- discovered radioactivity (radium, polonium) Joseph Lister - anesthesia
Louis Pasteur Germ Theory of Disease; Bacteria Microbiology Louis Pasteur Germ Theory of Disease; Bacteria Pasteurization Process of suppressing the growth of micro organisms by heating & then chilling
New Physics Einstein “Theory of Relativity” Time & Space are Relative - Infinite Universe -> Subatomic world E=MC2 even a particle of mass contains an enormous amount of potential energy
Max Planck – Quantum Physics Atoms may not be stable & indestructible Ernest Rutherford Split the Atom
The Interpretation of Dreams [1900] Psychology Sigmund Freud psychoanalysis The Interpretation of Dreams [1900] The role of the sub-conscious [impact of repressed strong feelings] – we’re driven by sexual, aggressive & pleasure-seeking desires Humans are largely irrational Problems related to childhood
New Trends in Philosophy Agnosticism – Uncertain about existence of God
Friedrich Nietzsche “God is Dead” Claimed religion squashed individualism and led to weakness, envy, mediocrity Some humans could & should evolve to a higher level- use of courage & willpower Only the creativity of a few supermen could successfully reorder the world Later used by Hitler
12. Internal Religious Struggles Rise of Science challenged the church Syllabus of Errors 1864 Pope Pius IX Condemned liberalism, nationalism, socialism Rerum Novarum Pope Leo XIII 1891 Condemned Socialism, Marxism but defended private property (Capitalism) Advocated for welfare & laws that protected workers
Anti-Semitism Dreyfus Affair Alexander III & the Pale Women’s Movement Suffrage & Other Rights “New” Imperialism Militarism glorification of war WWI ruined this
Modern Art & Literature
Literature
The “Lost Generation” Term used to describe the WWI generation WWI led to pessimism & criticism of materialism – Cynical about life & society Writing reflected this
“Lost Generation” Authors Erich Maria Remarque (All Quiet on the Western Front) T.S. Eliot (The Waste Land) Gertrude Stein (3 Lives) Ernest Hemingway (A Farewell to Arms)
All Quiet on the Western Front 1929 Erich Maria Remarque All Quiet on the Western Front 1929 Powerful novel that detailed the horrors of trench warfare during WWI
Gertrude Stein
Gertrude Stein Coined the term “The Lost Generation” Drove supplies to the French troops Experience in WWI Europe heavily influenced her art & writing
“The Waste Land” TS Eliot Most famous long poem of the 20th Century Depicted a world of growing desolation
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway One of the most celebrated US authors Was an ambulance driver in Europe during WWI Wrote “Farewell to Arms” Disillusionment of war, cynicism