Sunday, February 16, 2014
Chapter 22 Self Reflection
I truly thought this was one of the more interesting chapters to read this year. The huge, radical change that occurred during this time period is astounding. Just the fact that four major revolutions occurred in the same year, 1848, is astounding, and is a testament to how powerful the feelings of nationalism truly were. Marx provided a new way of social thinking that would empower workers and lead to the formation of unions and protective services, and his philosophies would become very popular throughout the world. We despise him today because his philosophies have been skewed and abused by the nations that adopted his communist ideologies. The revolutions of 1848 really shaped Europe into the continent we know it as today, and as a result we see many of the smaller, very proud countries such as Greece and Hungary appear. Romanticism and its works are still very popular today, and the artwork and music of that period is still viewed with great reverence. Democracies were sprouting up across the continent, and they will become the governments of these countries up until this very day.
Listening to the Past Chapter 22, Karl Marx's "Manifesto"
Karl Marx was a German philosopher and economist who is most famous for
his theory called Marxian Socialism, better known as communism. Marx
agreed with many of the basic tenets of socialism, but disagreed with
the main idea that the rich would help the poor in a socialistic
society. Marx believed in his form of socialism that the interests of
the middle class and those of the industrial working class were always
opposed to each other. Marx in his studies predicted that the poor
working class would inevitably revolt against the upper class with
violence, and a new, classless regime would be put in place. Everything
would be owned by the government, and everyone would be given what they
needed to survive by the government. Marx's most famous work The Communist Manifesto, which he wrote along with Friedrich Engels, would soon become the communist/socialist "bible" of the time. In it he urged workers to unite and revolt against the noble class, as they were much more vast and powerful than they realized, and they had nothing to lose but the chains that bound them.
Excerpt from The Communist Manifesto
"The Communists fight for the attainment of the immediate aims, for the enforcement of the momentary interests of the working class; but in the movement of the present, they also represent and take care of the future of that movement. In France, the Communists ally with the Social-Democrats against the conservative and radical bourgeoisie, reserving, however, the right to take up a critical position in regard to phases and illusions traditionally handed down from the great Revolution...
But they never cease, for a single instant, to instill into the working class the clearest possible recognition of the hostile antagonism between bourgeoisie and proletariat, in order that the German workers may straightway use, as so many weapons against the bourgeoisie, the social and political conditions that the bourgeoisie must necessarily introduce along with its supremacy, and in order that, after the fall of the reactionary classes in Germany, the fight against the bourgeoisie itself may immediately begin.
The Communists turn their attention chiefly to Germany, because that country is on the eve of a bourgeois revolution that is bound to be carried out under more advanced conditions of European civilisation and with a much more developed proletariat than that of England was in the seventeenth, and France in the eighteenth century, and because the bourgeois revolution in Germany will be but the prelude to an immediately following proletarian revolution...
The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Working men of all countries, Unite!
Excerpt from The Communist Manifesto
"The Communists fight for the attainment of the immediate aims, for the enforcement of the momentary interests of the working class; but in the movement of the present, they also represent and take care of the future of that movement. In France, the Communists ally with the Social-Democrats against the conservative and radical bourgeoisie, reserving, however, the right to take up a critical position in regard to phases and illusions traditionally handed down from the great Revolution...
But they never cease, for a single instant, to instill into the working class the clearest possible recognition of the hostile antagonism between bourgeoisie and proletariat, in order that the German workers may straightway use, as so many weapons against the bourgeoisie, the social and political conditions that the bourgeoisie must necessarily introduce along with its supremacy, and in order that, after the fall of the reactionary classes in Germany, the fight against the bourgeoisie itself may immediately begin.
The Communists turn their attention chiefly to Germany, because that country is on the eve of a bourgeois revolution that is bound to be carried out under more advanced conditions of European civilisation and with a much more developed proletariat than that of England was in the seventeenth, and France in the eighteenth century, and because the bourgeois revolution in Germany will be but the prelude to an immediately following proletarian revolution...
The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Working men of all countries, Unite!
America during the Political Changes in Europe: The Mexican-American War and American Romanticism
The Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
Right around the time that many ethnic groups were beginning to have strong, nationalistic emotions in Europe that would lead to revolution, the United States was having a similar experience. America was gaining strength and went to war against Mexico in attempt to expand their territory. This bred feelings of patriotism and nationalism throughout the country and would eventually expand the territory of the United States greatly. Zachary Taylor would become famous thanks to his role in this war and would ride this popularity into the presidency. America would gain the vast territory from Texas to California to become a continental power. This event offered a sharp contrast to what was going on in Europe in terms of nations and empires. As empires were getting split and new countries were forming in Europe thanks to nationalistic feelings, those same feelings were driving America and making it a stronger country, one that in the next few years would rival all of Europe in production and strength.
American Romanticism
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While the Romantic movement was sweeping across Europe, the same event was happening across the Atlantic Ocean in America. The Romantic movement was felt greatly not only in Europe but in America as well. The ideas of nature and its power, emotional exuberance, and unrestrained imagination reigned free in the art and literature of this time. Edgar Allen Poe, Herman Melville, and Nathaniel Hawthorne were three of the most famous Romantic writers in America and their works are still extremely popular today. Poe's works especially had an incredible imagination, however dark it may be, and he showed the power of emotion with his many stories of tragedy and pain. Along with this, art began to depict the power of the American landscape, and emotions were powerful in much of the music at the time.
Right around the time that many ethnic groups were beginning to have strong, nationalistic emotions in Europe that would lead to revolution, the United States was having a similar experience. America was gaining strength and went to war against Mexico in attempt to expand their territory. This bred feelings of patriotism and nationalism throughout the country and would eventually expand the territory of the United States greatly. Zachary Taylor would become famous thanks to his role in this war and would ride this popularity into the presidency. America would gain the vast territory from Texas to California to become a continental power. This event offered a sharp contrast to what was going on in Europe in terms of nations and empires. As empires were getting split and new countries were forming in Europe thanks to nationalistic feelings, those same feelings were driving America and making it a stronger country, one that in the next few years would rival all of Europe in production and strength.
American Romanticism
While the Romantic movement was sweeping across Europe, the same event was happening across the Atlantic Ocean in America. The Romantic movement was felt greatly not only in Europe but in America as well. The ideas of nature and its power, emotional exuberance, and unrestrained imagination reigned free in the art and literature of this time. Edgar Allen Poe, Herman Melville, and Nathaniel Hawthorne were three of the most famous Romantic writers in America and their works are still extremely popular today. Poe's works especially had an incredible imagination, however dark it may be, and he showed the power of emotion with his many stories of tragedy and pain. Along with this, art began to depict the power of the American landscape, and emotions were powerful in much of the music at the time.
Ludwig van Beethoven and Klemens von Metternich
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He is considered to be one of the greatest composers in human history and his music is still incredibly famous today. He was important to this age of revolution and new ideologies because his music was the greatest example of the Romantic movement in music at the time. The romantic movement focused on nature and its awe, and it offered a contrast to the ideas presented in the Enlightenment. Romantics believed in great emotional power and unrestrained imagination, which paralleled the ideas of revolution and the emotions that came with them. In its purest essence, the Romantic movement was to art and music as the revolutions were to the empires of Europe. Beethoven's music was breathtaking and brought forth great human emotion, something radically different from the music before him. His most famous works were his Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 9, and both are still extremely popular with musicians today. Towards the end of his career, he began to go deaf, and in the last few years of his life he was completely deaf, yet he continued to write incredible and powerful music; a testament to how rare and incredible of a composer he truly was.
Klemens von Metternich (1773-1859)
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Klemens von Metternich was an Austrian politician who served as Austria's foreign minister during the Congress of Vienna and the years following as part of the Holy Alliance. Metternich's policies were so effective and powerful that this time period is called the Age of Metternich after him. Metternich was extremely conservative, and was against revolution of any kind. In the years following the French Revolution, Metternich and his forces put down multiple revolutions within the Austrian Empire. His policies dominated Austria, the Italian peninsula, and the German Confederation. Within the German States he issued the infamous Carlsbad Decrees which censored speech and the press, and gave authorities the right to crush any liberal organization within the states. He believed that strong governments were necessary to protect society from revolution, and the nobility should be at the head of this government. He had to be against revolution politically as well, as Austria was made up of many ethnic groups that would threaten to split his empire if they were to revolt. He was important to this time period as his politics were the dominating force in Europe for many years after the French Revolution. However, his politics also were one of the leading causes of the 1848 revolution within Austria that split it, and made Hungary and Croatia (along with various other states) their own nation.
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He is considered to be one of the greatest composers in human history and his music is still incredibly famous today. He was important to this age of revolution and new ideologies because his music was the greatest example of the Romantic movement in music at the time. The romantic movement focused on nature and its awe, and it offered a contrast to the ideas presented in the Enlightenment. Romantics believed in great emotional power and unrestrained imagination, which paralleled the ideas of revolution and the emotions that came with them. In its purest essence, the Romantic movement was to art and music as the revolutions were to the empires of Europe. Beethoven's music was breathtaking and brought forth great human emotion, something radically different from the music before him. His most famous works were his Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 9, and both are still extremely popular with musicians today. Towards the end of his career, he began to go deaf, and in the last few years of his life he was completely deaf, yet he continued to write incredible and powerful music; a testament to how rare and incredible of a composer he truly was.
Klemens von Metternich (1773-1859)
Klemens von Metternich was an Austrian politician who served as Austria's foreign minister during the Congress of Vienna and the years following as part of the Holy Alliance. Metternich's policies were so effective and powerful that this time period is called the Age of Metternich after him. Metternich was extremely conservative, and was against revolution of any kind. In the years following the French Revolution, Metternich and his forces put down multiple revolutions within the Austrian Empire. His policies dominated Austria, the Italian peninsula, and the German Confederation. Within the German States he issued the infamous Carlsbad Decrees which censored speech and the press, and gave authorities the right to crush any liberal organization within the states. He believed that strong governments were necessary to protect society from revolution, and the nobility should be at the head of this government. He had to be against revolution politically as well, as Austria was made up of many ethnic groups that would threaten to split his empire if they were to revolt. He was important to this time period as his politics were the dominating force in Europe for many years after the French Revolution. However, his politics also were one of the leading causes of the 1848 revolution within Austria that split it, and made Hungary and Croatia (along with various other states) their own nation.
Karl Marx
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
Karl Marx was a German philosopher and economist who is most famous for his theory called Marxian Socialism, better known as communism. Marx agreed with many of the basic tenets of socialism, but disagreed with the main idea that the rich would help the poor in a socialistic society. Marx believed in his form of socialism that the interests of the middle class and those of the industrial working class were always opposed to each other. Marx in his studies predicted that the poor working class would inevitably revolt against the upper class with violence, and a new, classless regime would be put in place. Everything would be owned by the government, and everyone would be given what they needed to survive by the government. He based his theory on George Hegel's dialectic process of humanity, only instead of endlessly repeating the cycle would end with the classless government. Marx believed in the power of the workers, and believed that profits were just stolen wages. He urged the working class to unite for they had nothing to lose but the chains that bound them. Marx was important to this time period as he offered a new way of thinking to oppose the socialist and liberal economic thinkers, and was a huge supporter of the working class. The people of this class rallied around his ideas, and became stronger and more united thanks to his radical ideas.
Karl Marx was a German philosopher and economist who is most famous for his theory called Marxian Socialism, better known as communism. Marx agreed with many of the basic tenets of socialism, but disagreed with the main idea that the rich would help the poor in a socialistic society. Marx believed in his form of socialism that the interests of the middle class and those of the industrial working class were always opposed to each other. Marx in his studies predicted that the poor working class would inevitably revolt against the upper class with violence, and a new, classless regime would be put in place. Everything would be owned by the government, and everyone would be given what they needed to survive by the government. He based his theory on George Hegel's dialectic process of humanity, only instead of endlessly repeating the cycle would end with the classless government. Marx believed in the power of the workers, and believed that profits were just stolen wages. He urged the working class to unite for they had nothing to lose but the chains that bound them. Marx was important to this time period as he offered a new way of thinking to oppose the socialist and liberal economic thinkers, and was a huge supporter of the working class. The people of this class rallied around his ideas, and became stronger and more united thanks to his radical ideas.
Powerful Political Changes in the Nineteenth Century
Chapter 22: Ideologies and Upheavals
Thanks to the political and economic changes brought forth by the Industrial Revolution and French Revolution, Europeans began to think differently about life and what the best system of politics should be. New ideas began spring up all across the continent, some more powerful and radical than others, while some were more practical for the country they originated in. Revolutions due to nationalistic thinking sprung up around the continent, and many of them were in the very same year. Economics and politics were beginning to change and combine during these revolutions, which led to the idea of a dual revolution occurring at this time. Powerful emotions towards new nations and ideas also sprung up in literature, music, and art thanks to the Romantic Movement. During this time period, Europe began to change dramatically in both its politics and its culture.
In this blog I hope to discuss the multitude of political ideologies that came about during this time, with a focus on socialism, marxism (communism), and nationalism. I also want to touch upon the great number of revolutions that occurred during this time period and their effects, especially the ones of 1848. Finally, I want to talk about how these changes in both the politics and ideologies helped shape Europe and lead it to becoming what it is today.
EQ: "How did the revolutions of 1848 shape Europe and what was the overarching cause of all the revolutions?"
The revolutions of 1848 pretty much brought Europe into the shape that we know it as today with regards to political boundaries of nations. Greece became independent, the German States unified into the nation of Germany, and the Austrian empire would split into a multitude of countries including Hungary and Croatia. France would once again lead the way with revolution, and become a democratic nation after many years of struggle. Nationalism would be the force driving these revolutions as people were beginning to become more patriotic and supportive of their own nations, and were focusing on their own nation's growth and development instead of Europe's as a whole.
Thanks to the political and economic changes brought forth by the Industrial Revolution and French Revolution, Europeans began to think differently about life and what the best system of politics should be. New ideas began spring up all across the continent, some more powerful and radical than others, while some were more practical for the country they originated in. Revolutions due to nationalistic thinking sprung up around the continent, and many of them were in the very same year. Economics and politics were beginning to change and combine during these revolutions, which led to the idea of a dual revolution occurring at this time. Powerful emotions towards new nations and ideas also sprung up in literature, music, and art thanks to the Romantic Movement. During this time period, Europe began to change dramatically in both its politics and its culture.
In this blog I hope to discuss the multitude of political ideologies that came about during this time, with a focus on socialism, marxism (communism), and nationalism. I also want to touch upon the great number of revolutions that occurred during this time period and their effects, especially the ones of 1848. Finally, I want to talk about how these changes in both the politics and ideologies helped shape Europe and lead it to becoming what it is today.
EQ: "How did the revolutions of 1848 shape Europe and what was the overarching cause of all the revolutions?"
The revolutions of 1848 pretty much brought Europe into the shape that we know it as today with regards to political boundaries of nations. Greece became independent, the German States unified into the nation of Germany, and the Austrian empire would split into a multitude of countries including Hungary and Croatia. France would once again lead the way with revolution, and become a democratic nation after many years of struggle. Nationalism would be the force driving these revolutions as people were beginning to become more patriotic and supportive of their own nations, and were focusing on their own nation's growth and development instead of Europe's as a whole.
Chapter 21 Self Reflection
I thought this chapter was very interesting to read. The industrial evolution was extremely important to the development of Europe, and would help shape many of the things that will help lead to the development of modern day Europe. I found it very interesting to see how the Industrial Revolution would shape the social and economic systems of Europe so dramatically, creating a new, powerful middle class and diving the labor into separate spheres between men and women. The huge developments in power and transportation led to the creation of powerful locomotives and manufacturing devices that gave man almost unlimited power for the first time in history. The growing population hurt the development of industry, much like how overpopulation threatens to destroy the economy of many nations around the world today. Unemployment was also huge at this time, and we face a similar crisis right now here in America. Along with the developments in industry, the ideas of economic liberalism and economic nationalism shone through as the two main economic systems in Europe at the time, and these will stay as two of the strongest economic systems even today. Basically, the Industrial Revolution would lead to the beginning of the transformation towards modern day Europe.
Ch. 21 Listening to the Past: Friedrich List, "National System of Political Economy"
Friedrich List was a German journalist and thinker who wrote about how
the government played a larger role in industry in continental Europe
than in England. He was a strong supporter of the growth of industry as
he believed that industry and manufacturing were a great way to increase
the overall well-being of people and increasing the overall wealth of a
country. He believed that the "backward" and "advancing" countries as
he called them were starting to separate from each other faster and
faster, and the longer a country was "backward" the more
dangerous it would be for it as a whole. A backward country would be
poor and weak as it based its economy off agriculture and not off
industry. He disagreed with the system of economic liberalism set forth by Adam Smith,and believed that Germany would be better off with a system that supported manufacturing. In his most famous work, National System of Political Economy, List argued for the creation of a customs union, which he called the Zollverein, between the German States to boost the economy and promote industrialization.
Excerpt from National System of Political Economy
Excerpt from National System of Political Economy
"The practical importance of the great question of free trade between
nations is generally felt in our day, as also the necessity of
investigating, with impartiality, once for all, how far theory
and practice have erred on this subject, and how far any reconciliation
between them is possible. It is at least needful to discuss seriously
the problem of such a reconciliation.
It is not indeed with any assumed modesty, it is with the feeling
of a profound mistrust of his power, that the author ventures
upon this attempt; it is after resisting many years his inclination,
after having hundreds of times questioned the correctness of opinions
and again and again verifying them; after having frequently examined
opposing opinions, and ascertained, beyond a doubt, their inaccuracy,
that he determined to enter upon the solution of this problem.
He believes himself free from the empty ambition of contradicting
old authorities and propounding new theories. If the author had
been an Englishman, he would probably never have entertained doubts
of the fundamental principle of Adam Smith's theory. It was the
condition of his own country which begot in him, more than twenty
years since, the first doubts of the infallibility of that theory;
it was the condition of his country which, since that time, determined
him to develop, first in anonymous articles, then in more elaborate
treatises, not anonymous, contrary opinions. At this moment, the
interests of Germany alone give him the courage to publish the
present work; he will however not dissemble, that a personal motive
is connected with those interests; that is, the necessity in which
he is placed of showing by a treatise of some extent, that he
is not quite incompetent to treat of political economy....
The civilization, political education and power of nations, depend
chiefly on their economical condition and reciprocally; the more
advanced their economy, the more civilized and powerful will be
the nation, the more rapidly will its civilization and power increase,
and the more will its economical culture be developed....
America during the Industrial Revolution: Northeast Industrialization and the Cotton Gin
Northeast Industrialization
While the Industrial Revolution was going on in Europe, a similar change in America was happening as well. In the Northeast, America was becoming increasingly industrialized. Factories were popping up across the northeast and workers were immigrating to America in masses hoping to find a better life. Large companies were starting to form, and the northeast was turning away from old agricultural lifestyles to one of manufacturing and wage workers, and the idea of separate spheres really came into existence. This is just as how all of Europe was becoming more industrialized during this age, and factories were becoming more and more popular overseas as well. Wage earning and the idea of separate spheres were becoming popular in both places, and the trend in the northeast was to manufacture for a living, much like how it was in England.
The Cotton Gin
Even though the Northeast was known for its industry and the South was known for its agriculture, the developments of the Industrial Revolution played a major impact in the South as well, and led it to becoming one of the largest and most productive agricultural hubs in the world. The invention that led the way in this growth was the Cotton Gin. Invented in 1793 by Eli Whitney, the cotton gin allowed automated removal of the cotton seeds in the cotton fibers, which was previously done by hand. This increased the efficiency of cotton production dramatically, and quickly cotton became the biggest cash crop in the south and one of the most important products in the world. This invention was comparable to James Watt's steam engine in terms of importance to its country and the world around it. Just as James Watt's engine allowed England to burst ahead in the manufacturing world, the cotton gin allowed the American South to charge ahead and become the agricultural center of the world.
Friedrich List
Friedrich List was a German journalist and thinker who wrote about how the government played a larger role in industry in continental Europe than in England. He was a strong supporter of the growth of industry as he believed that industry and manufacturing were a great way to increase the overall well-being of people and increasing the overall wealth of a country. He believed that the "backward" and "advancing" countries as he called them were starting to separate from each other faster and faster, and the longer a country was "backward" the more dangerous it would be for it as a whole. A backward country would be poor and weak as it based its economy off agriculture and not off industry. Basically List believed that to promote industry was the same as defending the nation. He argued that the formation of a customs union in the German States, which he called the Zollverein, would help the economy greatly. His ideas led to the formation of such a union in 1834 . List's idea of economic nationalism as it came to be known would become very popular in German and other places on continental Europe. List was important because he was the first to truly develop an economic system that would rival the laissez-faire system used in England, and provided a way for many young countries to get started in industry and develop their own manufacturing systems.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Thomas Malthus (1766-1834)
Thomas Malthus was born in England in 1766 and would become one of the most important political and philosophical thinkers during the Industrial Revolution. He discussed many ideas about the economics of the industrial revolution and what they meant for the people of England, and he was very well respected. However, his most famous work, Essay on the Principle of Population, was concerning the rapid growth of population in Europe and its effects on the economy. In this essay, Malthus stated his belief that the population will always grow to a point at which the ability to sustain life will be strained, and the lower classes will suffer greatly because of this. He believed that population would always tend to grow faster than the food supply, and the checks to this growth were war, famine, and disease. His ideas would influence David Ricardo's famous iron law of wages, and his ideas would be prevalent throughout the industrial revolution. He is important to this time period as he was one of the main critics to the effects of the Industrial Revolution, and presented some of the large and daunting negatives about this expanding growth of population and new wage working system to the public eye. His thought that wages would always be just barely enough to survive on for the lower class were spot on, as many people in the lower classes of living would suffer through these years with only the bare necessities to live on.
Thomas Malthus was born in England in 1766 and would become one of the most important political and philosophical thinkers during the Industrial Revolution. He discussed many ideas about the economics of the industrial revolution and what they meant for the people of England, and he was very well respected. However, his most famous work, Essay on the Principle of Population, was concerning the rapid growth of population in Europe and its effects on the economy. In this essay, Malthus stated his belief that the population will always grow to a point at which the ability to sustain life will be strained, and the lower classes will suffer greatly because of this. He believed that population would always tend to grow faster than the food supply, and the checks to this growth were war, famine, and disease. His ideas would influence David Ricardo's famous iron law of wages, and his ideas would be prevalent throughout the industrial revolution. He is important to this time period as he was one of the main critics to the effects of the Industrial Revolution, and presented some of the large and daunting negatives about this expanding growth of population and new wage working system to the public eye. His thought that wages would always be just barely enough to survive on for the lower class were spot on, as many people in the lower classes of living would suffer through these years with only the bare necessities to live on.
James Watt (Ch. 21)
James Watt (1736-1819)
Born in Scotland in 1736, James Watt would become an incredibly famous figure in the world of energy and mechanical engineering. While he was studying at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, he was called upon to work on a Newcomer steam engine. After studying it for a bit of time, he realized the engine could become much more efficient if a separate condenser was added, and Watt made this device himself and it greatly improved the efficiency of the steam engine. Watt would partner with Matthew Boulton in 1775 to industrialize his invention, and he would become extremely successful. His steam engine would be used throughout Europe for many things, including the powerful new locomotives that would cross the continent. He is important to the Industrial Revolution as his steam engine provided man with an almost unlimited power to use for creating and developing new things. His innovation was seen as one of the greatest in all of human history, and he is seen as one of the most influential men in his field and throughout human history.
Born in Scotland in 1736, James Watt would become an incredibly famous figure in the world of energy and mechanical engineering. While he was studying at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, he was called upon to work on a Newcomer steam engine. After studying it for a bit of time, he realized the engine could become much more efficient if a separate condenser was added, and Watt made this device himself and it greatly improved the efficiency of the steam engine. Watt would partner with Matthew Boulton in 1775 to industrialize his invention, and he would become extremely successful. His steam engine would be used throughout Europe for many things, including the powerful new locomotives that would cross the continent. He is important to the Industrial Revolution as his steam engine provided man with an almost unlimited power to use for creating and developing new things. His innovation was seen as one of the greatest in all of human history, and he is seen as one of the most influential men in his field and throughout human history.
Energy and Industry in a Developing Europe
Chapter 21: The Revolution in Energy and Industry
During the political revolutions in France at the time leading the way for a new way of politics, a similar change in economics and social classes was occurring, especially in Great Britain. This change would come to be known as the Industrial Revolution and it would improve the lives of many people throughout Europe. Work would become mainly for wages instead of for agriculture and food, and a much more complex social structure would come to be. A higher style of living for all classes would come to be accepted by everyone, and now commoners in the upper middle class would rival the aristocracy in wealth and social class. However, a growing population throughout Europe would threaten these developments as not enough jobs were being created at the time, and it would make this transition to a more industrialized Europe very rough.
In this blog I hope to discuss the important people of the Industrial Revolution in Europe, primarily in Great Britain, and explain what how their developments led to the improvements in social structure and lifestyle for all people. I also hope to gain a better understanding for how the Industrial Revolution influences my life here in America today, as many of its developments are still seen today in our own social structure.
My essential question for this chapter is "How did the Industrial Revolution change the economic and social structure of Europe?"
The Industrial Revolution changed the economic and social structure of Europe dramatically. For the first time, the middle class was beginning to expand thanks to factory owners and industrial capitalists to the point that it rivaled the aristocracy in power and wealth. People now earned better wages and were better educated, which would form the modern idea of a middle class and the people were working for their lifestyle, creating the working class as well. However, children would now become close to slaves, working for very little money for over 12 hours a day in factories, which would lead to new legislation passed to protect them in England. The idea of separate spheres also came about thanks to the Industrial Revolution, where women were expected to be the homemakers instead of being co-wage earners with their husbands, and men were expected to be the wage-earners or "breadwinners" of the household. Single women were not given equal pay or equal opportunities as compared to men of the same age as them, and this idea of sexual division of labor would become commonplace throughout Europe.
During the political revolutions in France at the time leading the way for a new way of politics, a similar change in economics and social classes was occurring, especially in Great Britain. This change would come to be known as the Industrial Revolution and it would improve the lives of many people throughout Europe. Work would become mainly for wages instead of for agriculture and food, and a much more complex social structure would come to be. A higher style of living for all classes would come to be accepted by everyone, and now commoners in the upper middle class would rival the aristocracy in wealth and social class. However, a growing population throughout Europe would threaten these developments as not enough jobs were being created at the time, and it would make this transition to a more industrialized Europe very rough.
In this blog I hope to discuss the important people of the Industrial Revolution in Europe, primarily in Great Britain, and explain what how their developments led to the improvements in social structure and lifestyle for all people. I also hope to gain a better understanding for how the Industrial Revolution influences my life here in America today, as many of its developments are still seen today in our own social structure.
My essential question for this chapter is "How did the Industrial Revolution change the economic and social structure of Europe?"
The Industrial Revolution changed the economic and social structure of Europe dramatically. For the first time, the middle class was beginning to expand thanks to factory owners and industrial capitalists to the point that it rivaled the aristocracy in power and wealth. People now earned better wages and were better educated, which would form the modern idea of a middle class and the people were working for their lifestyle, creating the working class as well. However, children would now become close to slaves, working for very little money for over 12 hours a day in factories, which would lead to new legislation passed to protect them in England. The idea of separate spheres also came about thanks to the Industrial Revolution, where women were expected to be the homemakers instead of being co-wage earners with their husbands, and men were expected to be the wage-earners or "breadwinners" of the household. Single women were not given equal pay or equal opportunities as compared to men of the same age as them, and this idea of sexual division of labor would become commonplace throughout Europe.
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