Mass Society and Democracy 1870-1914

The Growth of Industrial Prosperity 1870 iron was replaced by steel and was used to build railways, ships,engines,weapons,etc. Thomas Edison built the modern light bulb and helped bring electricity to homes by building powerplants Henry Ford pioneered factory assembly lines and it allowed the mass production of goods Karl Marx denounced the new economy because he claimed it oppressed workers and Labor Unions were formed to improve work conditions

Mass Society Many people left rural areas and soon cities were filled with millions of people because of factory jobs By the 1860’s many more cities had clean water and effective sewage systems Women joined the work force with jobs such as clerks, government telephone operators, etc. and women began demanding equal rights A commitment to education began because it was required for many new jobs

The National State and Democracy Russia did not achieve a true representative government and in 1905 killed hundreds of demonstrating Russians France developed a republic by 1914 and Great Britain had a better representative government for many years Under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck, Germany became the strongest power in Europe but didn't have a true representative government Bismarck was fired by the German Emperor and by 1907 Europe was divided into 2 oppositions

Toward the Modern Conciousness In 1905 Scientist Albert Einstein made new discoveries related to the Atom Dr. Sigmund Freud made advances relating to the human mind such as Repress (ignored painful experiences influence future behavior) Social Darwinism is the theory expressing the strong survive and the weak/lazy decline Approx. 1890 Jews throughout Europe were persecuted but in Russia large massacres were organized (pogroms)