Romanticism and Early Social Movements

Romanticism (1750-1900)

  • Thematic Overview

    • Described as "Art with a Heart".

    • Central values include:

    • Children

    • Nature

    • Emotion

    • Love

    • Nostalgia

    • Interest in the Middle Ages, which appealed due to its qualities such as:

      • Charm

      • Chivalry

      • Royalty

      • Castles and knights

  • Romantic Characteristics

    • Interest in the Common Man and childhood

    • Belief in the natural goodness of humans

    • Strong emphasis on emotion, passion, and feelings

  • Contrasts with The Enlightenment

    • Enlightenment focused on Reason, while Romanticism emphasized Passion/Emotion.

    • Romanticism viewed Human nature as:

    • Nature over Man vs. Man over Nature

    • Exploring themes of Looking Forward vs. Looking Backwards

    • An antagonistic view towards the Middle Ages, despite romanticizing certain aspects.

Key Figures in Romanticism

  • Mary Shelley

    • Daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft.

    • Authored Frankenstein, recognized as the first science fiction novel.

  • Eugene Delacroix

    • A prominent French Romantic artist noted for:

    • Dramatic painting style.

    • Pioneering the use of bold colors and dynamic compositions.

    • Art should stem from sincerity and the artist's true feelings, balancing Classicism and Romanticism.

  • William Wordsworth

    • Undertook European tours that exposed him to French Revolution ideals, influencing his political beliefs.

    • Considered the Father of Romanticism.

    • Advocated for the profound power of nature and simplicity in language to express feelings.

  • Lord Byron

    • An English poet of Romanticism, famous for creating the “Byronic Hero” archetype.

    • Notable works include the epic satirical poem Don Juan, narrating the adventures of a young, innocent man across Europe.

  • Johann Goethe

    • A central figure in the Sturm und Drang movement.

    • Developed his writing through poetry and plays; works include:

    • Faust

    • The Sorrows of Young Werther

    • Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship

    • Regarded as the greatest German literary figure of the Modern Era.

  • Caspar David Friedrich

    • Lived a tumultuous life, losing most of his family by age 18, influencing his emotive artwork.

    • Major German Romantic landscape painter whose philosophy was that art should reflect the artist's internal vision.

    • Emphasized imagination and personal experience.

    • Awarded for his work, notably Wanderer above the Sea of Fog.

  • George Hegel

    • Developed a system of absolute idealism.

    • Known for defining the dialectic process:

    • Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis

    • Key works include Phenomenology of Spirit and Philosophy of Right.

  • Johann Herder

    • Prussian philosopher and leader of the Sturm und Drang movement.

    • Argued that true German culture lies within the common people.

    • Notable texts include:

    • Treatise on the Origin of Language

    • On the Cognition and Sensation of the Human Soul

    • On the Spirit of Hebrew Poetry

    • Known as the father of cultural nationalism, asserting that a nation's “soul” is reflected in its language and traditions.

  • Francisco Goya

    • Spanish painter and printmaker bridging old masters and modern art.

    • Critiqued the Spanish crown; his work often reflected dark romanticism and surrealism, focusing on themes of war and psychology.

Historical Context and Events

  • Louis XVII

    • His kingdom was reinstated with Metternich's influence before his death.

    • Charles X believed in the Divine Right of Kings.

  • July Revolution

    • Triggered by political conflict leading to a new election for Chamber Deputies, where liberals triumphed.

    • Resulted in Charles X seizing power and implementing repressive ordinances.

    • Overthrown as Paris revolted, leading to his abdication.

  • Louis Philippe

    • Assumed the title “King of the French,” staunchly opposed to the Divine Right.

    • Introduced a tri-color flag and abolished censorship, but faced growing corruption and social unrest.

    • Gave way to the eventual uprising due to economic hardship.

    • abdicated in February 1848, leading to a temporary government formation.

  • Louis Napoleon

    • The National Assembly prevented reelection, spurring his 1851 coup and march towards becoming Emperor Napoleon III after a plebiscite.

    • Imposed heavy reforms over women and social organization, influencing radical feminist movements.

Philosophical and Political Movements

  • Thomas Malthus

    • Identified the “Malthusian Trap,” suggesting unchecked population growth results in famine and conflict.

    • His theories gained attention during events like the Irish Potato Famine, emphasizing starvation as a natural disaster.

  • Carl Sand and Carlsbad Decrees

    • Reaction to liberalism and nationalism, with the success of conservative movements that surfaced during the resistance against Napoleon's rule.

Key Intellectual Movements and Theories

  • Utilitarianism

    • Developed by Jeremy Bentham, a radical and secular alternative to traditional morality in the 18th century.

    • Formulated principles suggesting that actions should aim to maximize happiness for the greatest number.

  • Marxism

    • Advocated by Karl Marx, focusing on the class struggle between the bourgeoisie and proletariat.

    • Suggested abolition of private property and religion, with change fostered through radical social reform toward a classless society.

  • Chartism

    • Emerged as Britain's first large-scale working-class movement, demanding political rights and universal suffrage.

    • Laid groundwork for future Trade Unions and Labour Parties while securing 5/6 charter goals.

  • St. Simonism

    • Proposed an organized society based on science and industrial principles, advocating for a meritocracy instead of aristocracy.

    • Aimed for improvement through a planned economy and social organization, paving the way for socialist doctrines that influenced thinkers like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

  • Owenism

    • Founded by Robert Owen, focused on cooperative living to escape the severe conditions presented by industrialization, emphasizing environmental impact on human character.

  • Fourierism

    • Established by Charles Fourier, characterized by the desire for self-sufficient agricultural communities, advocating gender equality and cooperative economics.

  • Anarchism

    • Denouncing hierarchical structures and advocating for direct action and self-organization in opposition to state control, led by figures like Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.

Literature and Realism

  • Charles Dickens

    • Authored Oliver Twist, known for addressing serious social issues while keeping audiences engaged.

    • His work influenced reforms by effectively communicating the plight of the less fortunate.

Conclusion

  • The Romantic and subsequent socio-political movements greatly influenced modern thought and society, altering views on governance, individual rights, and artistic expressions.