Lecture 2: Europe 1900: Power, protest and the mases

Question 1

Power and Politics:

Answer 1

Decades before WW1 was peaceful – most wars ended with Napoleon
However – imperialism in Africa was not peaceful e.g. The Scramble for Africa
Geopolitical configuration – balance of power changed due to the new strengthened unified Germany – Italy also unified
Balkan wars = sign of instability
Rapid growth of industrialisation altered Europe’s landscapes – cities increased

Question 2

Women and Social Question?

Answer 2

Reformist and Revolutionist socialists
Women wanted education and vote
Powerful movements emerging

Question 3

Gospel of the Poor (1900)

Answer 3

Socialists treated as criminals

Question 4

Jean Jaures, 1859-31. July 1914

Answer 4

Demand for reform

Question 5

Naples, co. 1900

Answer 5

Conditions in urban housing appalling – impact of life expectancy and health
Slums of Naples viewed as a scandal
Life for working classes only slowly improving
Workers shared bathrooms and lived in cramped conditions – yet for middle classes houses were different and rich

Question 6

Pope Leo XIII, 1891

Answer 6

“elements of conflict unmistakable, in the growth of industry”

Question 7

Politics:

Answer 7

It was not the extreme right or extreme left, but the moderate centre left who emerged as the major forces

Question 8

The women’s movement:

Answer 8

Helene Stocker, “The Modern Woman” (1893) – emancipated and enfranchised women – worker did not belong in this century – influenced campaigns for women
Women’s movement questioned legal and social norms that restricted women’s lives
In Europe, 1900 women movement was split – moderate and more radical
Decade after 1870s key to women’s movements
French revolution catalyst for women’s movement – demands key to women’s movement such as being granted the vote and citizenship

Question 9

Key Issues for Women:

Answer 9

1. Female Education
2. Campaigns for professional training and wages
3. Civil Law – women’s property + marital rights

Question 10

1900 = Sexual reform big issue

Answer 10

1) Criminalisation of prostitution

2) Suffrage – not end goal but end means

Question 11

First state to give women the vote?!

Answer 11

*New Zealand = first state to give women vote in 1893

Question 12

19th C question of universal suffrage:

Answer 12

Very contested but symbolic value
Many men as well as women not given vote
Inequality not explicitly linked to vote but intertwined many inequalities

Question 13

Pre-1914 Europe:

Answer 13

Social Conflicts
Poverty
Demands from working class
Women
*All issues throughout this period highlighting the deep divisions within society
*War created a unique situation adding to the divisions