Romantic age

When did the Romantic Age start and end?

The Romantic Age started in 1760 when George III became king of England and ended in 1837 when Victoria became Queen. 

Which reigns did the Romantic Age cover?

It covered the reigns of George III (1760-1820), George IV (1820-1830) and William IV (1830-1837) who all belonged to the house of Hanover.

What new ideals were elaborated during the Age of Revolutions?

The Romantic Period elaborated new ideals, such as individualism, freedom, imagination, feelings and the sublime in nature, in all fields of human activity. 

Which major revolutions marked the Romantic Period?

It was marked by the American, French and Industrial Revolutions.

On what principle did the American colonies start protesting?

American colonies started protesting on the principle of 'No taxation without representation'.

What was the "Boston Tea Party"?

To prove their point, natives threw a cargo of British tea into the sea at Boston harbour. This gesture became known as Boston Tea Party (1773).

What three main points did the Declaration of Independence state?

It stated that: The colonies were a new and independent nation: the republic of the United States of America; all men have a natural right to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'; and governments can claim the right to rule only if they have 'the consent of the governed'.

When did Britain recognize the 13 colonies as an independent nation?

In 1783 Britain recognized the 13 colonies as an independent nation with the Treaty of Paris.

How were Americans divided during the War of Independence, and what were the characteristics of each group?

During the war, which began in 1775, Americans were divided into: 

• Patriots: They wanted independence, had no army but knew the land, and were supported by the French fleet. 

• Loyalists: They wanted to remain part of Britain, had an army but it was too small to both attack and defend what it had won, and were distant from supplies and orders.

Who became the first president of the United States in 1789?

Washington became its first president in 1789.

When and where did the Industrial Revolution start?

The Industrial Revolution started at the end of the 18th century in England.

What were the most important technological inventions of that era?

The most important inventions were: Thomas Newcomen's steam engine which made pumping water out of mines possible, later improved by James Watt; Edmund Cartwright's loom; and Arkwright's water-frame.

What was a dark side of mass production?

Mass production had a strong negative impact on the environment as factories produced high levels of pollution. This worsened the health of the working classes, causing life expectancy to decrease. 

How was the life of factory workers?

Factory workers were paid extremely low wages. They worked long hours, carrying out alienating and exhausting tasks, under cruel discipline. They lived in 'mushroom towns', near the factories, which often lacked basic public service. 

Why were children exploited during the Industrial Revolution?

Children were paid less than adults, were easier to control and usually more obedient. Moreover, their size allowed them to easily reach parts of the machines to repair them with their small hands. They were also used in coal mines to crawl in tunnels.

What happened during the "Reign of Terror"?

After the creation of the First Republic, there was a period of violent repression: massacres and public mass executions by guillotine... Anyone suspected of being an "enemy of the Revolution" could be killed.

Who led the French army that dominated the European continent?

The French army under the command of General Napoleon Bonaparte dominated the European continent. 

Where and by whom was Napoleon finally defeated in 1815?

Napoleon was finally defeated by the Duke of Wellington in 1815 at the battle of Waterloo in Belgium. 

Who were the 'Luddites'?

A group of workers called 'Luddites', after their leader Ned Ludd, began destroying factory machinery, blaming this for their lack of jobs. 

What was the 'Peterloo Massacre'?

In 1819, during a peaceful public meeting in Manchester, soldiers fired into a crowd and eleven people were killed: this was ironically the 'Peterloo Massacre'. 

How was Romanticism a reaction against the Enlightenment?

While the previous age valued reason, order, and rules, the Romantics focused on emotion, imagination, individuality, and the relationship between man and nature. 

Who were the poets of the first generation?

William Wordsworth, Samuel T. Coleridge, William Blake.

What distinguished the poets of the first generation of Romanticism?

The poets who belong to the first generation introduced new themes and styles. 

Who were the poets of the second generation?

George G. Byron, Percy B. Shelley, John Keats. 

What distinguished the poets of the second generation of Romanticism?

They lived shorter, more dramatic lives and often expressed revolutionary ideals, political disillusionment and intense emotions.

What is the concept of the "Sublime" as developed by Edmund Burke?

The sublime is the feeling of awe mixed with fear when facing something vast, powerful, or mysterious - such as high mountains, storms, or the sea.