Study Notes for HIST H232: The World in the Twentieth Century

Introduction to HIST H232: The World in the Twentieth Century

  • Lecture Title: The World in 1900

Purpose of the Course

  • Importance of studying history:
    • Understanding the past informs the present and future.
    • Provides insights into contemporary issues.
    • Enables a critical analysis of historical events and their impacts.
  • Focus:
    • Exploration of the twentieth century from a global perspective.
    • Analyzing events and movements that shaped the world.

Significant Historical Events (Date-Country-Event)

  • Key terms related to major events:
    • Dropping: Indicates a change or significant transition.
    • Empire: Refers to expansive political and territorial control.
    • Japan, Ottoman Empire, Bolshevik Revolution, etc.
  • Specific events and corresponding dates:
    • 1917: Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.
    • 1920/2: Formation and challenges facing the post-war world.
    • 1945: End of World War II and significant territorial changes.
    • 1979: Iranian Revolution leading to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
    • 1994: End of apartheid with ANC election victory in South Africa.

World's Fairs: 1844-Today

  • Example:
    • 1851 Great Exhibition:
    • Location: Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, London, UK.
    • Purpose: Showcase advancements in technology and industry from around the world.

Main Themes of the Class

  • Industrialization and Progress:
    • Examine both the positive impacts (economic growth, technological advances) and negative implications of industrial growth (social displacement, environmental degradation).
  • Globalization:
    • Themes:
    • Technological advancements and their role in connecting nations.
    • Transportation developments, such as railroads and canals.
    • Communication innovations.
  • Nationalism and Imperialism:
    • Study how nationalist movements led to the quest for empires.
    • Analyze the ideologies justifying imperialism, including economic and cultural arguments.
  • Radical Movements against the Status Quo:
    • Focus on
    • Socialism: Movements advocating for workers' rights and economic equality.
    • Anti-Imperialism: Resistance against colonial powers and the quest for independence.
    • Fundamentalist politics: Examining how religious ideologies shaped political movements.

Notable Exhibits at the Paris World's Fair 1900

  • Palace of Electricity:
    • Sponsored and showcased electrical advancements and their applications.
  • Machinery Exhibit:
    • Exhibitions highlighting industrial machinery of that era, showcasing advancements in engineering.

Industrial Development Map c. 1850

  • Highlights the significant industrial hubs across Europe:
    • Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and major cities like Manchester and Glasgow.
  • Charting developments in transportation and construction leading to increased urbanization.
  • Notable features:
    • Railroads and iron ore fields contributing to industrial growth.
    • Road networks and waterways enhancing trade.

Historical Context of Transportation Infrastructure

  • Suez Canal:
    • Opened in 1869 after ten years of work, connecting Europe to Asia.
    • Related to colonial interests and strategic trade routes.
    • Originally a French initiative, British control established in 1875.
  • Trans-Siberian Railway:
    • Launched in 1891 and completed in 1916, stretching 5,772 miles.
    • Link between Moscow and Vladivostok; comparison to U.S. width of 2,680 miles.

Perspectives on Imperialism

  • Jules Ferry’s Speech to the French Chamber of Deputies (1883):
    • Argument for French imperialism as necessary for national greatness.
    • Advocated against isolationist policies, claiming active engagement was essential for maintaining status.
    • Emphasized competition among nations fueled the need for colonial expansion.

Challenges to the “Western Status Quo Narrative”

  • Examination of global hierarchical structures:
    • Categories of nations into:
    • First World: Western industrialized nations.
    • Second World: Communistic states.
    • Third World: Developing nations in the context of post-colonialism.

Colonial Expositions and Human Zoos

  • Description of expositional practices that displayed marginalized populations, contributing to racial hierarchies.
  • Example: The American Negro Exhibit created by W.E.B. Dubois showcased African American culture in a context of racial discrimination.
    • Location: Paris Exposition, 1900.

Conclusion

  • Recap major themes discussed throughout the lecture concerning industrialization, imperialism, and radical movements.
  • Emphasize the significance of these themes in shaping the political landscape of the twentieth century and their contemporary implications.