Chapter 24 IMPORTANT PEOPLE: An Age of Modernity, Anxiety, and Imperialism 1894-1914

Marie & Pierre Curie (1867-1934, 1859-1906)

Pioneers in the field of radioactivity and Nobel Prize winners in Physics and Chemistry; discovered the elements polonium and radium.

Max Planck (1858-1947)

Physicist known for originated quantum theory, revolutionizing the understanding of atomic and subatomic processes; won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics; known for the equation E=mc².

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

Philosopher known for his concepts of the Übermensch and the will to power; his work influenced existentialism and modern philosophy. GOD IS DEAD - superman theory. Nietzsche's declaration that traditional moral values are no longer viable in the modern world, advocating for the creation of new values.

Henri Bergson (1859-1941)

Philosopher recognized for his ideas on time and consciousness; received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1927. Creativity is a central theme in his philosophy, emphasizing the importance of intuition over intellect.

Georges Sorel (1847-1922)

Philosopher and social thinker noted for his theory of social myth and the power of syndicalism; his ideas influenced socialist movements. A revisionist interpretation of Marxism

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

Founder of psychoanalysis, a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue; introduced concepts like the id, ego, and superego.

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Developed the theory of evolution by natural selection; known for 'On the Origin of Species.'

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)

Applied evolutionary theory to sociology and philosophy; coined the phrase "survival of the fittest." Social Darwinism

Friedrich von Bernhardi (1849-1930)

German general and writer known for his ideas on militarism in pre-WWI Germany; advocated for a more aggressive foreign policy.

Houston Stewart Chamberlain (1855-1927)

Philosopher and race theorist influential in developing early 20th-century racial ideology; wrote "Foundations of the Nineteenth Century." Social darwinism

Ernst Renan (1823-1892)

Historian and philosopher known for his work on religion and nationalism; critiqued religious teachings.

Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)

Longest-serving pope; defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and initiated the First Vatican Council.

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

Known for his emphasis on social justice and labor rights; authored the encyclical "Rerum Novarum."

William Booth (1829-1912)

Founder of the Salvation Army, known for his social reform efforts and practical Christianity.

Emile Zola (1840-1902)

Novelist linked to naturalism; notable for defending Alfred Dreyfus in 'J'accuse.'

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Renowned Russian author known for his moral and philosophical depth in literature; wrote "War and Peace." art is emotional and for everyone

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881)

Renowned Russian author known for profound moral and philosophical depth in literature; authored "Crime and Punishment." existentialist philosophy, humanity good and bad

W.B. Yeats (1865-1939)

Irish poet and playwright; a pillar of modern literature and dramatist of the 20th century; received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923.

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926)

Poet known for existential works and exploring themes of existence and spirituality; best known for "Letters to a Young Poet."

Camille Pissarro (1830-1903)

Danish-French Impressionist painter known as the father of Impressionism; influenced many contemporaries.

Claude Monet (1840-1926)

Founder of French Impressionism; known for landscapes and series of paintings like "Impression, Sunrise."

Berthe Morisot (1841-1895)

Prominent female Impressionist painter known for works featuring women and domestic life.

Paul Cézanne (1839-1906)

Post-impressionist painter whose work laid the foundations for modern art; influenced a wide range of artists.

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

Dutch post-impressionist painter known for his vivid colors and emotional depth; best known for works like "Starry Night."

George Eastman (1854-1932)

Founder of Kodak, innovator in photography; popularized photography with the slogan "You press the button, we do the rest."

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

Spanish painter, sculptor, and co-founder of the Cubist movement; known for artworks like "Guernica."

Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944)

Pioneer of abstract art; emphasized the spiritual nature of art.

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

Norwegian composer known for lyrical melodies and nationalistic style; most famous for "Piano Concerto in A Minor."

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Influential French composer associated with Impressionism in music; known for pieces like "Clair de Lune."

Amalie Sieveking

Pioneer in social reform, particularly in nursing and healthcare for the poor; founded the "Female Association for the Care of the Poor."

Florence Nightingale

Founder of modern nursing, known for her innovative healthcare and sanitation approaches; improved conditions during the Crimean War.

Millicent Fawcett

British suffragist and leader advocating for women's voting rights; led the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies.

Emmeline Pankhurst

Founder of the Women’s Social and Political Union; a key figure in the suffragette movement.

Emily Davison (1872-1913)

British suffragette known for her militant actions in the fight for women's suffrage; gained notoriety for her protest at the Epsom Derby, where she was killed by a racehorse. jumped in front of king’s horse

Bertha von Suttner (1843-1914)

Austrian pacifist and author who advocated for disarmament and peace; wrote the influential anti-war novel 'Lay Down Your Arms' and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905.

Maria Montessori (1870-1952)

Italian physician and educator known for the Montessori method of education; emphasized child-centered learning and independence.

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881)

British Prime Minister known for his roles in the Conservative Party and in shaping modern British politics; promoted social reform and imperialism, and emphasized the importance of the British Empire.

Karl Lueger (1844-1910)

Mayor of Vienna, known for his populist policies and antisemitism; his rhetoric influenced future nationalist and fascist movements in Europe.

Hermann Ahlwardt (1846-1914)

German politician known for his outspoken antisemitic views; advocated for anti-Jewish legislation in the German Reichstag.

Theodor Herzl (1860-1904)

Founder of modern political Zionism and advocate for Jewish statehood; published 'The Jewish State' in 1896, promoting the establishment of a Jewish homeland.

David Lloyd George (1863-1945)

British Prime Minister during World War I and key figure in post-war politics; known for significant social reforms and participation in the Treaty of Versailles negotiations.

Giovanni Giolitti (1842-1928)

Italian politician and statesman known for promoting liberal policies and social reforms in Italy; served multiple terms as Prime Minister and helped modernize Italian politics.

Alfred Dreyfus (1859-1935)

French Army officer whose wrongful conviction for treason sparked the Dreyfus Affair, highlighting antisemitism; his case resulted in significant public outcry and civil rights discussions in France.

Emperor William II (1859-1941)

Last German Emperor and King of Prussia, known for his role in the outbreak of World War I; his aggressive foreign policy contributed to international tensions leading to the war.

Emperor Francis Joseph (1830-1916)

Long-serving Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary during a time of great change and turmoil; oversaw the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the late 19th century into World War I.

Count Istvan Tisza (1861-1918)

Prime Minister of Hungary, known for his conservative policies and role in the Austro-Hungarian parliament; opposed involvement in World War I and faced significant political challenges.

Sergei Witte (1849-1915)

Russian statesman and reformer, instrumental in modernizing Russia's economy; served as Minister of Finance and was a key architect of Russia’s industrialization efforts.

Tsar Nicholas II (1868-1918)

Last Emperor of Russia, known for his autocratic rule and the fall of the monarchy during the Russian Revolution; his reign saw significant social change and upheaval, ending with his execution.

Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924)

28th President of the United States, known for his leadership during World War I and League of Nations advocacy; his Fourteen Points were a basis for the Treaty of Versailles.

Wilfred Laurier (1841-1919)

First French-Canadian Prime Minister of Canada, known for his policies of national unity and modernization; his government expanded Canada’s economy

Karl Pearson (1857-1936)

Statistician and eugenicist known for his work on statistical theory and the application of science to social issues; promoted the idea of eugenics and had significant influence on social Darwinism.

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Naturalist known for developing the theory of evolution by natural selection; his work 'On the Origin of Species' laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology.

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

Philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist known for his critique of capitalism and theory of socialism; co-authored 'The Communist Manifesto' and wrote 'Das Kapital.'

Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)

Revolutionary leader and founder of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic; led the October Revolution in 1917 and established a single-party state.

Boers

Dutch settlers in South Africa who played a significant role in the history of the region, influencing both colonial and post-colonial dynamics; engaged in the Boer Wars against the British.

Afrikaners

Descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa, key figures in the establishment of apartheid; emphasized their cultural identity and political power in South Africa.

Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902)

British imperialist known for his role in the colonization of Southern Africa and founding the De Beers diamond company; envisioned a 'Cape to Cairo' railway uniting British territories in Africa. Prime minister of Cape Colony

David Livingstone (1813-1873) & Henry M. Stanley (1841-1904)

Explorers who played pivotal roles in mapping Africa and advancing Western interests in the continent; Livingstone was renowned for his missionary work; Stanley gained fame for finding Livingstone in the jungle.

King Leopold of Belgium (1835-1909)

King of Belgium known for his brutal exploitation of the Congo Free State; his regime was marked by severe human rights abuses and economic exploitation.

Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898)

Chancellor of Germany credited with unifying the German states and establishing Germany as a world power; his diplomacy set the stage for a complex system of alliances in Europe.

Captain James Cook (1728-1779)

British explorer known for his voyages to the Pacific Ocean, particularly in Australia and New Zealand; his expeditions significantly increased European awareness of the Pacific region.

Queen Victoria, Empress of India (1819-1901)

Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, representing the peak of British imperial power; her reign coincided with the expansion of the British Empire.

Manchu Dynasty

Last imperial dynasty of China, known for its role in Chinese history prior to the establishment of the Republic of China; encountered significant internal and external challenges leading to its fall in 1912.

Magyar Dynasty

Refers to the ruling dynasty in Hungary, notable for its role in shaping Hungarian national identity; influenced the region's politics and culture significantly.

John Hay (1838-1905)

U.S. Secretary of State known for his role in negotiating the Open Door Policy in China; his policies aimed to secure equal trade rights for all nations in China.

Matthew Perry (1794-1858)

U.S. naval officer who played a key role in opening Japan to the West; his expedition led to the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854.

William McKinley (1843-1901)

25th President of the United States, known for leading the nation during the Spanish-American War; his presidency marked the emergence of the U.S. as a colonial power.

Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925)

Revolutionary leader and the first President of the Republic of China, instrumental in ending imperial rule; promoted the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood.

Mutsuhito (Meiji Emperor) (1852-1912)

Emperor of Japan who presided over the Meiji Restoration, a period of rapid modernization and industrialization; his reign transformed Japan into a modern world power.