Unit 8 APEURO

Unit VIII: Progress and Anxiety Period 3: c. 1815 - c. 1914

Key Concept 3.1: Spread of the Industrial Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift in production methods as it expanded from Great Britain across continental Europe. During this transformation, the role of the state increased, promoting technological advancements and industrial activities.

• The Second Industrial Revolution (circa 1870–1914) was characterized by extensive industrial growth, with innovations that enhanced production scale and complexity. For instance, mechanization became standard practice with the advent of steam-powered machinery.

• Developments in transportation included the rise of railroads, which connected national economies and facilitated urbanization and the establishment of global economic networks.

• The late 19th century experienced volatile business cycles, resulting in corporations and governments managing economic markets via monopolies, banking systems, and tariffs, impacting international commerce.

Key Concept 3.2: Daily Life and Industrialization

• Daily life during this period reflected the industrialized environment. In urban areas, new social classes emerged, notably the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (middle class), suggesting an evolving class consciousness.

• In less industrialized regions, dominance was maintained by agricultural elites, showcasing the stark contrast between industrial and agrarian societies.

• Various philanthropic, political, and social associations strengthened class identity, exemplified by trade unions among the working classes and social clubs among the middle classes.

• Rapid population growth spurred urbanization, leading to challenges such as overcrowding in cities and a labor shortage in rural areas, which pushed many towards urban ecosystems.

Key Concept 3.3: Impact of Industrialization on Family Structures

• The Industrial Revolution significantly transformed family dynamics. Bourgeois families typically adhered to nuclear family structures, promoting the “cult of domesticity” that defined gender roles for men and women in society.

• By the end of the century, improvements in the living standards of the working class came from child labor laws and social welfare programs, paving the way for greater family stability.

• The adoption of birth control practices allowed couples to limit family size, reflecting diminishing economic motivations for marriage.

• Leisure time saw a cultural shift that emphasized enjoyment with family and small groups, giving rise to places like theaters, opera houses, and public parks as new entertainment venues.

Key Concept 3.4: Reactions to Industrialization Issues

• Ideological responses to industrialization proliferated, including socialism, which promoted equitable wealth distribution and drew influence from thinkers like Karl Marx and Frederich Engels. Additionally, the First International was established to unite various socialist movements.

• The rise of anarchism advocated for the dismantling of established governmental structures, seeking voluntary cooperation among citizens.

• Nationalism emerged in response to various pressures, epitomized by movements for unification in Germany and Italy, where leaders like Otto von Bismarck and Camillo Cavour sought to consolidate power and identity.

Key Concept 3.5: Nationalism and Stability Challenges

• The disintegration of the Concert of Europe incited nationalist movements seeking unification within nations like Germany and Italy. The Paris Commune is an example of a short-lived revolutionary government advocating for socialist reforms in France.

• In Russia, the search for modernization and political reform led to significant social unrest, resulting in the 1905 Revolution following events like Bloody Sunday. This revolution led to the issuance of the October Manifesto, aiming to soothe public dissent.

Key Concept 3.6: Strains in European Ideas and Culture

• European nations embarked on imperial expansion driven by various factors, including economic motivation, as illustrated by Cecil Rhodes's plans for British expansion in Africa characterized by his notion of the White Man’s Burden.

• The Berlin Conference exemplified the scramble for Africa, where European powers partitioned the continent among themselves, demonstrating colonial ambitions and competition.

• Advancements in technology, such as machine guns and breech-loading rifles, were crucial for imperial conquest and control.

• The aftermath of the Opium Wars in China and the Boxer Rebellion highlighted growing tensions in imperial territories, leading to changes in governance and influence over local populations.

• In arts and culture, movements like Realism emerged, with artists like Gustave Courbet and Jean-Francois Millet portraying everyday life and social issues. Impressionism followed, championed by painters like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, focusing on light and natural scenes.

• The 20th century also saw the rise of Post-Impressionism, with artists like Paul Cezanne and Vincent van Gogh exploring new styles and expressions.

• In science, figures like Louis Pasteur advanced the Germ Theory while Joseph Lister focused on bacteria and antiseptics in medicine, contributing to public health improvements. Charles Darwin’s works, notably On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man, challenged traditional beliefs, while Sigmund Freud introduced the world of psychoanalysis with terms like ego, id, and superego, which explored human behavior and motivation.

• Philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche proposed radical ideas such as the concept of the Superman, complicating the moral landscape of the time.

• Additionally, Social Darwinism, championed by thinkers like Herbert Spencer, applied Darwin's principles to sociology, influencing social policies throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Finally, socio-political movements such as the Women’s Social and Political Union led by Emmeline Pankhurst galvanized the efforts of suffragettes in their fight for women's voting rights, highlighting the rise of feminist movements. The Women’s Party also gained traction, advocating for equal rights.