Unit 7 Ap Exam Review

Belgium's Independence (1830)

• Discontent leads to uprisings in Belgium.

  • Key Event: The July Revolution in France influences Belgian uprisings.

  • Date: 1830.

  • Key Figure: Leopold I becomes the first King of Belgium after independence.

• Background: Austrian control over the Netherlands prior to Spanish secession.

  • The region faces discontent under the rule of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, established under the Congress of Vienna in 1815.

• Louis-Philippe, King of France, supports Leopold I of Belgium who seeks independence, leading to recognition of Belgian sovereignty.

The French Revolution of 1848

• Consequences

  • Date: February 1848 - France experiences a revolution leading to the abdication of King Louis-Philippe.

  • A provisional government is formed.

  • Key Event: A new constitution is established featuring male suffrage.

  • Movement for a unified Germany emerges, driven by economic and nationalistic motivations.

• Key Figure: Frederick William IV of Prussia resists unification proposals, famously stating that he will not accept a crown from the 'gutter', illustrating his refusal of the revolutionary sentiment.

Key Figures in Mid-19th Century

• Bismarck in Germany: Significant figure in the unification of Germany, guiding policy through realpolitik.

• Napoleon III in France: Establishes the Second French Empire and engages in military conquests.

• Cavour in Italy: Instrumental in the unification of Italy, particularly through diplomacy and strategic alliances.

Rise of Conservatism and Reform

• Conservatives adopt a reformist approach to dampen revolts and maintain stability.

  • They offer limited reforms rather than complete concessions to prevent unrest, including some educational and administrative changes.

Shift from Romanticism to Realism

• Realism replaces Romanticism as a response to ideological shifts in society during the latter half of the 19th century.

  • Key Figures: Authors like Gustave Flaubert and Honoré de Balzac illustrate societal issues through realistic storytelling.

Economic Ideologies

• Laissez-Faire and Capitalism

  • Development of capitalism under the principles of liberalism, broadly shaping economic policy across Europe.

  • Core tenets include:

  • Opposition to government intervention in the economy.

  • Advocacy for universal male suffrage and property rights.

• Women’s Rights Movement

  • Early advocates fight for women's voting rights; parallels drawn with fair labor practices.

  • Example: The model factory system, akin to modern Costco, promotes fair wages and decent treatment of workers.

• Socialism and Marxism

  • Utopian Socialism: Advocates like Robert Owen demonstrate the potential for ethical business practices alongside profit.

  • Workers provided with housing but subjected to strict moral codes.

  • Marxist Socialism: Concepts of Communism and class struggle emerge; the interpretation of class struggle in the French Revolution gains traction through the Marxist lens.

• Anarchism

  • Emergence of anarchism leads to views that government authority should be abolished.

  • Notable figure: George Sorel.

  • Increased political violence and numerous assassinations throughout the 19th century, e.g., assassination of President Lincoln in 1865.

Expansion of Mass Politics

• Technological advances like newspapers and telegraphs facilitate political engagement, contributing to a more informed citizenry.

• Reform movements gain traction, including the temperance movement to eliminate alcohol from society and anti-slavery initiatives.

Abolition of Slavery

• Great Britain becomes the first to outlaw slave trade in 1807; however, France later abolishes slavery altogether in 1848, following