Fin_de_Siecle_European_Life_-_Late_19th___Early_20th_Century__1880___1914_

Fin de Siècle European Life: Late 19th - Early 20th Century (1880 - 1914)

• Examining societal, political, and economic transformations in Europe during this pivotal period.

Introduction: Progress and Modernity in the Fin de Siècle

• Perceptions of Civilization: Many Europeans viewed their civilization as progressive and modern.

  • Progressive: Evolving towards enlightenment, with a teleological aim for improvement.

  • Modernity: Defined as contemporary periods marked by significant changes from past epochs based on intellectual trends such as the Renaissance and Enlightenment.

  • Comparison Points: Evaluations against earlier European civilizations and current global societies (e.g., India, China, Sub-Saharan Africa).

  • Doubts & Countervailing Developments: Emerging trends questioning the notions of progress and rationality, especially after WWI.

Science vs. Religion

• The Industrial Revolution's Impact: Increased scientific advancements prompted challenges to traditional religious views.

  • Materialism: A belief that all phenomena are explicable through physical forces, de-emphasizing the spiritual or idealistic.

  • Key Figures:

    • Ludwig Feuerbach: His work, "The Essence of Christianity," posited that God is a human construct stemming from a need for stability.

    • Karl Marx: Developed historical materialism, emphasizing material conditions shaped societal structures.

    • Charles Darwin: Introduced evolutionary theory, undermining religious creationist explanations.

Charles Darwin

• Background: British naturalist famous for his voyage on the HMS Beagle (1830s).

• Theory of Natural Selection: Adaptable organisms thrive and pass their traits, leading to extinction of less adapted forms.

• Popularization: Herbert Spencer coined the term "survival of the fittest."

Darwin's Key Works

• On the Origin of Species (1859): Outlined natural selection and evolution from simpler forms.

  • Corrected earlier Lamarckian ideas of inheritance of acquired characteristics.

• The Descent of Man (1871): Expanded evolutionary concepts to human beings, igniting conflict with biblical interpretation.

Social Darwinism

• Misinterpretation of Darwin's Theories: Applied to structure societies based on racial and social hierarchies.

  • Predicated on the idea that the strongest succeed, justifying socio-economic inequalities.

  • Notable Proponents:

    • Francis Galton: Advocated for eugenics based on perceived "superiority" of certain races and classes, ultimately leading to discrimination and violence.

Advances in Health Care and Medical Science

• Key Figures:

  • John Snow: Pioneered epidemiology, linking cholera outbreaks to contaminated water.

  • Louis Pasteur: Established germ theory and developed pasteurization.

  • Robert Koch: Identified anthrax and tuberculosis, establishing foundations for treatments and vaccines.

• Surgical Advances: Joseph Lister's antiseptic techniques and the use of anesthetics revolutionized surgery.

• Public Health Improvements: Clean water and better living conditions, dramatically reducing urban mortality rates by 1910.

The New Physics

• Challenges to Classical Physics: Late 19th-century discoveries revealed atom's subatomic structure.

  • Marie Curie: Discovered radium's subatomic emissions.

  • Max Planck: Introduced the concept of energy quantization.

  • Albert Einstein: Revolutionized physics with theories of relativity, indicating matter and energy are interchangeable;

Sociology: New Perspectives

• Key Thinkers:

  • Auguste Comte: Father of sociology; introduced the positivist approach to knowledge.

  • Max Weber: Examined capitalism through a sociological lens, linking it to Protestantism.

  • Emile Durkheim: Identified connections between societal changes and individual psychological effects (e.g. suicide).

Psychology and Freud's Theories

• Sigmund Freud: Introduced psychoanalysis, highlighting the role of the unconscious.

  • Suggested that human behavior is driven by subconscious desires and instincts.

• Id, Ego, Super-Ego Model: Framework for understanding human psychology, challenging Enlightenment beliefs about rational thought.

Philosophy and Nihilism

• Friedrich Nietzsche: Critiqued rationality emerging from Enlightenment thought and questioned traditional values.

  • Propagated nihilism, asserting life lacks inherent meaning.

  • Introduced concepts like "Übermensch" suggesting a few exceptional individuals can transcend societal limitations.

Artistic Developments: Realism to Impressionism

• Realism (1840s-1890s): Focused on everyday life and harsh realities:

  • Notable Artists: Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, emphasized labor reform.

• Photography's Impact: Provided unfiltered representations of life.

• Impressionism (1870s-1880s): Developed by artists like Claude Monet, emphasizing light and color over detailed realism.

New Artistic Movements

• Post-Impressionism: Skillful use of form and structure (Vincent Van Gogh).

• Fauvism: Radically expressive use of color; led by Henri Matisse.

• Cubism: Impression of objects from multiple viewpoints; spearheaded by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.

Societal Challenges and Responses

• Scientific Racism & Anti-Feminism: Racial superiority notions arose alongside anti-feminist sentiments.

• Treating women as "inferior" supported by leading intellectuals and intensifying during suffrage movements.

• Socialism's Rise: Growth of worker movements and unionization; growing disparities in socialist methodology.

Social Reforms in Britain

• Political and Labor Movements: Trades Union Congress; progressive reforms under Liberal government.

• Social programs: Policies such as free school meals and worker’s compensation emerged.

Social Reforms in France

• Political Landscape: Divisions in the Third Republic and rise of educational reforms.

• Secular policies led considerable societal change, mainly in education.

Social Reforms in Germany: Policy Responses to Socialism

• Bismarck’s Dual Strategy: Suppression led to socialist growth.

• SPD gained status despite exclusion from core power structures.

Russia: Social Discontent and Revolution

• Industrialization Under Nicholas II: Poor conditions and unrest amidst modernization.

Revolutionary Movements:**

• V.I. Lenin: Embraced Marxism and led the movement towards worker-driven change.

• Russian Revolution: Was influenced by events like the Russo-Japanese War and Bloody Sunday.

Bloody Sunday (1905)

• Event Overview: Peaceful protests met with violence, shifting public opinion against the Tsar.

• Consequences: Led to widespread discontent, acutely increasing revolutionary sentiments.

Fin de Siècle Europe: Conclusions

• This period highlights contradictions between perceived advancements and rising skepticism in various fields.

• WWI marks an end to the era's optimism, reshaping European perspectives on civilization.