Final Exam Flashcards
What group was the Industrial Bourgeoisie made of?
Factory owners
What were two characteristics of the Industrial Bourgeoisie?
- They made significant investments and risks.
2. They had the potential to make big money.
Why did the Industrial Bourgeoisie take such significant risks?
To make money
What group was the Proletariat made of?
Factory workers
What two things did the Proletariat want?
- Safer working conditions
2. Higher wages
What was the Belle Epoch?
Period of time extending from the late 19th century to WWI, that witnessed great peace, prosperity, and scientific/artistic progress.
What did conservatives of the 19th century believe? (2 things)
- They did not believe in revolutionary slogans (democracy, inalienable rights, etc.)
- They believed peace could be found through following tradition and order.
What group was the conservative class made of?
Nobility (who wouldn’t want things to change)
What 4 things did Liberals of the 19th century believe in?
- The Enlightenment
- Democracy
- Free-market economics
- Meritocracy
What 3 things did Socialists of the 19th century believe in?
- They opposed capitalism
- Common ownership of means of production
- They assume all people are willing to work for the greater good
Why did Socialists oppose capitalism? (2 reasons)
- They believe it is chaotic.
2. They opposed private ownership of means of production.
In socialism, income is based on what?
Income is based on need
Who was Karl Marx?
A 19th century German Jew who attended the University of Berlin. Known as the “Father of Communism.”
What were 3 influences on Karl Marx?
- British economic thought
- French revolutionary thought
- George Hegel
What is the theory of surplus value?
The belief that the working man is being robbed because he receives only a small portion of the wealth his labor produces.
Who was Friedrich Engels?
One of the founders of Marxist Theory (along with Karl Marx).
What was the Hegelian Dialectic and who said it?
George Hegel: “All things are in movement and continually evolving. Useful change comes from clash and reconciliation of the antagonistic elements.”
What does Dialectic Materialism say? Who said it?
Karl Marx: “Change through history in every area (political, economics, etc.) comes from the clash and reconciliation of antagonistic economic elements which continually change as material conditions change.”
What two books did Karl Marx write?
“Communist Manifesto” and “Das Kapital”
What important line in the “Communist Manifesto” did we cover in class?
“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.”
What is Marxism?
Political, social, and economic doctrines of Marx which describe class struggle as the force which will lead to a classless society.
What is communism?
Political system that would be characterized by an absence of social classes and a common ownership of the means of production, based on the teachings of Marx.
Why did Marx think that Europe was at a critical point? (Long answer, though easy to understand)
“In a capitalist system, the industrial bourgeoisie tend to devour one another.” Wealth and power was becoming more concentrated, so the Industrial Bourgeoisie was shrinking in size. The proletariat mass was growing and would take over the Industrial Bourgeoisie, and thus a social revolution will have been accomplished.
What was the “Dictatorship of the Proletariat?”
The intermediate system between capitalism and communism, when the government is in the process of changing the means of ownership from privatism to collective ownership.
When did the power shift from the Oriental world to the Occidental world occur?
Around 1500-1900 C.E.
Why did the power shift from the Oriental to Occidental world occur? (8 reasons; don’t worry about completely memorizing them, just get the gist of it)
- Development of nation-states and eventually “modern” nation-states
- Expansion and control of trade routes
- Ever increasing technological advancements
- Disciplined, well-trained armies
- Population explosion
- Empire building and colonization
- Immense quantities of New World riches
- Exploitation of slave labor
When did the First Era of Imperialism occur?
Around 1500-1700 C.E.
What is an empire?
When one state takes over another state.
What is a “modern” nation state?
One that has undergone an Industrial Revolution.
Why did the East slow down in the area of technological development?
“Tradition” held them back
Describe “Colonies of Trade” in Africa.
Around 1500-1850, Europe established colonies of trade in Africa for the purposes of trade and slave labor (which is different from having an empire there).
Describe “Colonies of Administration” in Africa.
Around 1850-1950, European nations established empires in Africa as they were finally able to conquer it.
What were the 4 motives behind Europe’s conquest of Africa?
- Missionary and humanitarianism
- “White Man’s Burden”
- Economic motives
- Social Darwinism
What was Absolutism and when did it occur?
In the 17th century, it was a period when kings tried to acquire absolute authority over everything (which no king has every truly done).
Why did Absolutism initially arise?
It arose as a knee-jerk reaction to feudalism.
What group was the strongest supporter of the King?
The Merchant Class (AKA Middle Class Bourgeoisie).
Why did the Merchant class support the King?
Because they liked stability in business (the king could do things in their favor).
What 2 reasons were given to justify Absolutism?
- Kings had divine right to power
2. People were unruly and needed to be protected from themselves
Who argued for the divine right to kingship?
Bishop Jacques Bossuet, who argued for such in “Politics Drawn from Holy Scripture” in 1709.
Who argued that people needed a king to protect them from themselves?
Thomas Hobbes, who argued for such in “Leviathan” in 1651.
What French King epitomized an Absolutist King?
Louis XIV (14th) of the Bourbon Dynasty.
Who was the French Minister of Finance?
Jean Baptiste Colbert.
What is mercantilism?
Economic system in which the government regulates and subsidizes industries with the intention of furthering the state.
What is bullionism?
Increasing precious metals in a country.
What is colonialism?
A set of unequal relationships between colony (indigenous people) and the colonial power.
What was the Enlightenment?
It was “the age of human reasoning.” It represented a shift from tradition and faith to evidence and reason.
What were tenets of the Enlightenment?
- It was an optimistic age.
- The leaders of the Enlightenment looked forward to the discovery if all the natural laws of the universe.
- They believed in reason and education.
What were leaders of the Enlightenment called?
Philosophes. The founding fathers were among them.
What is deism?
It is the belief in god, but not religion. Deists saw god as a clockmaker - he made the universe, set it in motion, and let it move on its own from there.
Who were physiocrats?
They were people trying to uncover the natural laws of economics.
What does “Laissez-faire” refer to?
If refers to a free market economic policy. It essentially means a hands off approach for the government
Who was Adam Smith and what is he famous for?
He was famous for writing “The Wealth of Nations” which talked about the ‘invisible hand’ of the free market. He argued that people should pursue their self-interests when it comes to economics and that an economy works best when people do just that.
Who, and in what writing, implicitly described a social contract?
Thomas Hobbes in his book “Leviathan.”
Who explicitly describes a social contract, and what is it?
John Locke. Individuals in an ordered society must give up some freedom to a government and in return, the government will keep them safe.
What “self-evident truths” does the constitution refer to?
Unalienable rights.
John Locke argued people have the right to do what?
He argued that people have the right to rebel when a government oversteps its bounds.
What is “Spirit of Laws” about and by whom was it written?
It was written by Montesquieu and it argued that the only way to protect liberty is via checks and balances in government.
What is enlightened despotism?
It is a form of government in which monarchs pursue reforms inspired by the Enlightenment.
How did things look in France in the summer of 1789? Why did it look that way? (3 reasons)
Things looked bad and hopeless.
- There was a famine in France due to poor harvests.
- The leaders of France were bad and people had little confidence in them.
- France was bankrupt from several costly wars.
What were the 3 estates in France?
Clergy, nobility, and commoners.
In what way did King Louis XVI ask the nobility for help? How did the nobility respond?
He asked them to pay taxes (which they previously hadn’t done) due to France’s dire financial situation. They agreed to pay taxes, but only if the King would call an Estates General.
What is an Estates General?
It was an advisory board to the King, with all estates represented.
Why did the nobility call for an estates general? What was different about this one than those in the past?
They wanted to control the king. The difference was that the commoners were represented by well-off, educated men and could greatly influence the Estates General this time around (having been through the Enlightenment).
What was the National Assembly and why was it formed?
The representatives of the commoners were not treated well in the Estates General so they made their own organization. The King refused to do voting by head count (which they would’ve won easily) and instead wanted the old system of voting by chamber.
What is the Tennis Court Oath?
The National Assembly first met in a tennis court and made the following oath: “We will not disband until a Constitution has been made for France.”
What was Bastille famous for?
On July 14, 1789, commoners destroyed many things that represented the power of the King. Mobs destroyed a prison which held political prisoners of the King.
Why did mobs form at Bastille?
As a result of the King calling in troops while the National Assembly met.
What was the March of the Fishwives?
It was a march on the palace of Versailles by women demanding bread (and food in general) from the King. They felt he should come back to Paris with the commoners.
What are the 4 main tenets of “Declaration of the Rights of Man AND the Citizen?”
- A person’s political liberty ends where another’s begins.
- Laws should only prohibit actions harmful to society.
- Laws should be the same for everyone whether they protect or prohibit.
- Presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
What kind of government resulted from the Constitution of 1791?
A constitutional monarchy, not a French Republic.
What are the contents (3) of the Constitution of 1791?
- Declaration of the rights of man and the citizen.
- Constitutional Monarchy
- Legislative Assembly
What are the differences between active and passive citizens and what determined the status of citizens?
Active citizens could vote and hold political office, whereas passive citizens could not. Wealth determined whether you were active or passive.
When did the second phase of the French Revolution begin?
August 1792
What was the Jacobin Party?
A political party in France that believed the revolution didn’t go far enough. They disliked the distinction of “active” and “passive” citizens.
Who led the Jacobin Party?
Robespierre
What happened at the National Convention?
France was declared a republic. Several political parties met to make a new constitution.
What was the Committee of Public Safety?
The executive branch of the new government.
Who led the Committee of Public Safety?
Robespierre, the leader of the Jacobins.
How did Robespierre use the Committee?
He used it as a spy network, in an attempt to squelch any opposition to the republic.
What was the “Reign of Terror?”
It was the name given to series of events in which Robespierre killed 40,000 people (within the first year) he suspected of opposing the republic.
What ended the “Reign of Terror?” When did it happen?
It ended in July 1799 when Robespierre was executed via guillotine. This happened because he started to kill other leaders, and they weren’t going to have it.
Why did many other countries declare war on France around 1792?
The countries did not want the influence of a republic near their borders (they didn’t want to lose control of their subjects).
What did the French Constitution of 1795 do?
It made France a republic. There was no longer a king and there was universal male suffrage.
What was “The Directory?”
A 5 man council that held executive power in the Republic.
Where was Napoleon born?
Corsica, from which he held nobility.
Where was Napoleon educated?
In a military academy in Paris.
What were some characteristics of Napoleon? (4 things)
- He had a huge ego, believing that fate destined him for greatness.
- He was a man of the Enlightenment.
- He was extremely intelligent and a great multitasker.
- He was a mathematician (hence his quantitative approach to war).
When was France planning on invading Austria?
Around 1796/1797.
What role did Napoleon play in the French invasion of Austria?
He led an army to the south with the mission of distracting the Austrian army. His success proved much more useful than that of a mere diversion, and as such, the Austrians asked him for peace.
What is “Campo Formio?”
It was the treaty signed by Austria in 1797 after their surrender to Napoleon.
Due to his success in the war with Austria, what did The Directory do for Napoleon?
They named him “Protector of the Directory.”
Who was Horatio Nelson?
He was a leader in the British Navy. He was a thorn in Napoleon’s side until his death.
When did Napoleon overthrow the government and what did he do next?
In 1799, he launched a coup and declared himself First Consul. The French love him.
When did Napoleon declare himself Emperor?
1805.
What were the Napoleonic reforms? (4)
- Napoleonic Code of 1807 - liberal and equal law code
- Careers open to talent (meritocracy)
- Mass public education system
- Concordat of 1801 - resolved riffs between Catholic Church and French government
Why was Napoleon’s army so successful? (5)
- Personal training - trained in elite military schools
- Flexibility - no dogma, all practicality in warfare
- Efficient troop movement
- Inspired masses with his presence
- Napoleon personally led troops
If Napoleon was to conquer England, what must he first do?
He had to control the English channel, a very difficult feat.
What happened in (and when was) the Battle of Trafalgar?
In 1805, the British Navy defeated the combined navies of France and Spain. Horatio Nelson died in combat.
What was the Continental System?
An economic blockade against Britain by Napoleon.
Why did the Continental System not work?
Because Europe needed Britain more than Britain needed Europe. Britain was industrially revolutionized and more economically powerful than the rest.
What did Napoleon do to 300 German kingdoms?
He reduced that number to 39 provinces and by doing so, he unintentionally created a sense of a national Germany.
What was the Battle of Friedland?
It was a battle in 1807 in which the French defeated the Russians. Napoleon forced Alexander I into a treaty.
What was the Tilsit Treaty?
It was the treaty signed by Alexander I of Russia after Napoleon defeated them. It brought Russia into the continental system.
Why did Russia no longer honor the Tilsit Treaty? What happened afterwards?
Because Russia was very economically dependent upon Britain and could not afford to cut off trade with them. As a result, France invaded Russia in 1812.
What was the initial Russian strategy to the invading French Armies?
They would retreat and burn villages and resources behind them, so that the French armies could not use them for resources.
When did the Russians finally dig in and fight back (rather than implementing a scorched earth policy)?
The Battle of Borodino in September 1812. 100 miles outside of Moscow, the armies fought and the French won, though suffering heavy casualties. French armies soon captured Moscow.
What forced the French to retreat?
The winter of 1812. The French armies could not handle the Russian winter due to lack of resources and bitter cold. Hundreds of thousands of French troops died and many fled. The Russians followed them and attacked.
What was the Quadruple Alliance?
The alliance of Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria against France.
What happened at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813?
The Quad Alliance defeated Napoleon.
Where was Napoleon initially exiled to?
St. Elba
After taking Napoleon out of the picture, who was brought to power in France by the Quad Alliance?
Louis XVIII of the Bourbon Dynasty.
What was the “100 Days Reign?”
It was the period of time when Napoleon was back in power after escaping St. Elba. It lasted about 100 days.
When and where was Napoleon finally defeated?
The Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
Where was Napoleon exiled to, the second time around?
St. Helena, a very remote island.
An industrial revolution comes into play when what 2 things happen?
- When physical power is being replaced by inanimate power.
2. The domestic system is being replaced by the factory system.
What is the simplified process of a factory?
Raw materials go in, finished products come out.
What’s the difference between domestic and factory systems?
Domestic system: work goes to workers (at home)
Factory system: Workers go to work
In which industry did the Industrial Revolution first occur?
The textile industry (in Britain).
What new fabric showed up in Europe during the Industrial Revolution?
Cotton
When and where did the Industrial Revolution begin?
In England around 1750.
What were 6 reasons the I.R. began in England?
- Adequate sources of power.
- Great canals and ports
- Temperate climate
- Concentrated world knowledge
- British were open to new ideas
- Gov’t was kind to business
How did the steam engine help the energy supply?
The steam engine allowed for an energy supply that was more localized than in the past.
What was the big revolution in the transportation industry?
Railroads
Who invented the cotton gin?
Eli Whitney
Who invented the morse code?
Samuel Morse
Who invented a suitable electrical generator (and lightbulb)?
Thomas Edison
Who invented the telephone?
Alexander Graham Bell
Who invented the gasoline powered combustion engine?
Gottlieb Daimler
Who invented the oil powered combustion engine?
Rudolph Diesel
What were the 3 main downsides of the I.R.?
- Urbanization
- Exploitation of women and children
- Psychological challenges
Why was urbanization a problem during the I.R.?
Cities were not prepared for the numbers of people that came in. It happened too rapidly and the infrastructure was inadequate.
Why were women and children taken advantage of?
- They were more obedient than men.
- They worked at a cheaper rate.
- They had smaller hands, great for working with.textiles.
What were the 3 reasons the I.R. was psychologically challenging?
- Alien world - from rural life to urban life
- Independence to dependence - working at your own rate vs a boss and long work days.
- Time is of the essence, no breaks!
Who invented the spinning jenny?
James Hargreaves
Who invented the water frame?
Richard Arkwright
Who invented the steam engine?
James Watt
What did Matthew Perry force Japan into signing?
The Harris Treaty. It established formal relations with Japan.
In what 3 ways did Japan embrace change?
- Japanese Imperial Oath of 1868
- A constitution was created.
- Department of Education was established in 1871.
What did the Japanese Imperial Oath of 1868 consist of? (3 things)
- Freedom of speech.
- Abandonment of outdated practices.
- Pursuit of knowledge.
Upon which Western nation did Japan model their new government?
Germany, with their constitutional monarchy.
What was the Japanese Department of Education’s mission statement?
To wipe out ignorance.
What was the Meiji Restoration?
From 1868-1912, Japan transitioned from a feudal society to a world power. Emperor was head of state.
What does “Meiji” mean?
Enlightened rule.
Why was Japan viewed as a world power?
- Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902: between Britain and Japan. A military alliance.
- Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895): Japan beat China for Eastern dominance.
What was significant about the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902?
The British broke their “splendid isolationism” in favor of alliance with an Eastern power (over that of even a Western power).
Why did Japan fight China around 1894-95?
Over control of Korea. Both sides agreed to let Korea be politically independent. Japan won.
What is the Treaty of Shimonosaki?
Treaty signed after Sino-Japanese War. Gave control of Korea to Japan.
What was the Russo-Japanese War?
In 1904-1905, Japan fought Russia over control of Manchuria. First time an Eastern power had beat a Western nation.
Why were the Russians interested in Manchuria?
Russia did not have a sufficient warm water port. Port Arthur was located there and the Ruskies wanted it.
Why were the Japanese interested in Manchuria?
Port Arthur, as well as the railroads and mining resources there.
Who was the mediator between Russia and Japan?
President Roosevelt, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize.
What treaty ended the Russo-Japanese War and what did it do?
The Portsmouth Treaty. Japan gained control of Manchuria.
In 1871, what Western nation produced the most industrial goods?
Germany.
Who was Otto van Bismarck?
He was the Prime Minister (Chancellor) of Prussia. Very good at working things in his favor.
Prior to 1871, Bismarck was a “hawk.” What does this mean?
It meant he was in favor of war.
What were Bismarck’s two biggest goals PRIOR to 1871?
To create a unified Germany and protect the interests of the Prussian Royal Family.
Who was William I?
The King of Prussia who appointed Bismarck as Prime Minister. They worked well together.
How did Bismarck intend to unify the German people?
War, propagandized correctly.
What were Bismarck’s 3 wars?
- War of 1864 w/ Denmark
- Seven Weeks War of 1866 w/ Austria
- Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).
Why did Bismarck fight Denmark in 1864?
Over “border” issues.
Why did Bismarck fight the Seven Weeks War of 1866 with Austria?
Over who was going to lead the Germanic people: Prussia or Austria. Prussians won.
Why was the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 fought?
France did not want a Prussian noble (Leopold) to be king in Spain (they would have enemies on both sides then). Much drama ensued and Prussia won.
What ended the Franco-Prussian War?
Napoleon III’s capture.
