Europe in 1815 Trends and Themes

Enlightenment Ideas What is the Enlightenment? Age of Reason: Rationality Progress Usefulness/Practicality Religious Tolerance Civil Liberties Equality (theoretical)

Politics Recent Shake-ups: War In 1815 what type of government did most European countries have? Recent Shake-ups: War American Revolution 1776-1783 French Revolution 1789 Defending the Revolution: France vs. Europe 1792-1801 Napoleon’s Conquests to 1815

Politics Napoleon’s changes Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, 1789 Napoleon’s changes

Politics Peace: Congress of Vienna 1815 Creates a Balance of Power Reflects Conservative Values in Governments Definition of “conservative” Monarchy is restored and strengthened Parliaments are made of the wealthy classes Voting rights are limited

Politics But still demands for Equality before the law Civil Rights/Freedoms More Democracy Rationalized, Efficient Government These ideas are 19th Century Liberalism

Religion Background What was the Reformation? When was the Reformation? Wars of Religion 1500s, 1600s

Religion Christianity Rational religion Official State Church Clockmaker God Less mysticism Official State Church Growing tolerance for different denominations

Economics Mercantilism gives way to Laissez Faire Economics What is mercantilism? What is laissez faire economics or economic liberalism?

Economics Economic Liberalism: Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations, 1776 Freedom to pursue self interest no government interference free trade invisible hand laws of supply and demand

Economics Economic Liberalism Reflects interests of Upper Middle Class Businessmen vs. nobility, monarchy of mercantilism vs. the interests of workers

Economics What was the most common job? Agriculture still dominates the economy Industrialization Beginnings in Great Britain in late 1700s More later on Industrial Revolution

Society Predominantly rural Some serfdom still (Russia) Poverty small landholdings subsistence farming low tech subject to bad harvests

Society What was the staple food of the rural poor?

Society Other Problems: Population growth: more competition for employment, food Agriculture changes: pushes small farmers out

Society Other classes: Wealthy nobility and Upper Middle Class large land owners first industrialists (business owners) small class, but growing Tradesmen and Women: lower middle class Emerging working class

Coming Up Population Growth: when where why problems: Irish Potato famine Thomas Malthus on population growth

Society Education mainly available to wealthy middle class still widespread illiteracy Political involvement: mostly limited to wealthy, educated

Coming Up Industrial Revolution where why how what industries impact on common people

The End