U8- Industrialization! Flashcards
The Dual Revolution
The intertwined political and industrial revolutions that significantly reshaped Europe in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The French Revolution (political) and the Industrial Revolution (economic and technological) both had profound impacts on society, politics, and the economy.
Political Revolution (French Revolution)
A major event in world history where France’s monarchy and traditional societal structures were overthrown, leading to the rise of the republican ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Industrial Revolution
A period of rapid industrialization and technological innovation, beginning in Great Britain in the late 18th century and spreading across Europe and North America. It marked a profound shift in the way goods were produced, economies operated, and societies were structured.
Why Great Britain?
Geographic Isolation: Great Britain’s island status allowed it to avoid invasions and maintain stable political conditions, making it ideal for industrial growth.
Natural Resources: Availability of key resources like coal and iron were crucial for powering machines and building infrastructure.
Infrastructure: An established transportation system, especially railroads, facilitated the movement of goods and raw materials.
Legal Systems: Property rights and a stable legal system protected investments, encouraging economic development.
Scientific Innovation: Britain had a tradition of scientific and technological innovation that fostered industrial advances.
Timeline
The Industrial Revolution culminated in the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition in London, which showcased the era’s technological innovations, such as the steam engine, textiles, and machinery.
Separation of Capital and Labor
Industrialization created a division where owners (capitalists) controlled the means of production, while workers (laborers) were hired to sell their labor but didn’t benefit directly from the profits. This separation led to critiques from thinkers like Karl Marx, who argued that it resulted in the exploitation and alienation of workers.
Social and Family Changes
The traditional family economy (where families worked together on farms or small crafts) was disrupted as work shifted to factories.
Women were often confined to domestic roles or low-paying, exploitative work environments known as sweated labor.
Urbanization and Public Health Crises
Urbanization saw a rapid growth of cities as people moved from rural areas to work in factories. However, this led to overcrowding, poor living conditions, and the spread of diseases like cholera, typhus, and dysentery.
These crises led to the implementation of public health reforms to improve sanitation and living conditions in urban areas.
Industrialization on the Continent
Industrialization spread more slowly to continental Europe due to several factors
Political Fragmentation
Countries like Germany had many trade restrictions and lacked a unified market.
Feudal Systems and Serfdom
In some regions, lingering feudal structures limited mobility and access to labor.
Active Government Role
Governments across Europe began to support industrial growth through:
Building infrastructure like railroads and factories.
Implementing protective tariffs to nurture emerging industries.
Capitalism
The economic system that emerged from the Industrial Revolution, characterized by the separation of capital (ownership) and labor (workers).
Capitalism was criticized by socialists and Marxists for its exploitation of workers, inequality, and alienation.
Critiques of Capitalism
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels argued that capitalism created an unequal system where the bourgeoisie (owners) exploited the proletariat (workers), advocating for a revolutionary overthrow of capitalist societies.
Reforms
Factory Act of 1833: British legislation that limited child labor and ensured basic education for children working in factories.
Public Health Initiatives: Reforms aimed at improving urban sanitation, water supply, sewage systems, and disease prevention to tackle the poor living conditions in industrial cities.
Liberalism
A political ideology that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, advocating for individual freedoms, limited government, and free-market economies. It was rooted in Enlightenment ideas about equality and democracy.
Conservatism
A political response to the upheaval of the French Revolution and industrialization, emphasizing tradition, social hierarchy, and the preservation of existing institutions. Conservatives favored monarchies and aristocracies.
Socialism
A critique of industrial capitalism, arguing for the collective ownership of the means of production to ensure equality and fair distribution of wealth. It called for an end to the exploitation of workers and was a precursor to later Marxist thought.
Nationalism
A political ideology focused on the idea of national unity, emphasizing the importance of shared culture, language, and history in forming a collective identity. It often sought self-determination for ethnic groups and regions.
Feminism
An ideological movement that advocated for gender equality in education, work, and politics. Feminists argued for women’s rights, including suffrage, equal educational opportunities, and access to professions.
Revolutions of 1848
A series of revolutions that swept through Europe, demanding constitutional governments, social reforms, and national independence. These revolts were largely unsuccessful, but they laid the groundwork for future political changes across Europe.
Urban Sprawl
The growth of cities as a result of industrialization led to significant environmental degradation, including pollution, overcrowding, and depletion of natural resources.
Social Strife
The industrial working class often faced harsh working conditions, long hours, and poor living standards, contributing to social unrest and the rise of labor movements.
Responses to Challenges
Public health policies were introduced to address the spread of disease, improve living conditions, and establish urban sanitation systems.
Urban infrastructure projects, such as the development of sewage systems and public housing, were initiated to tackle the problems created by rapid urbanization.
Key Figures at the Congress of Vienna
Klemens von Metternich (Austria), Alexander I (Russia),Castlereagh (Britain), Talleyrand (France), Hardenberg (Prussia).
Klemens von Metternich (Austria)
The driving force behind conservative diplomacy and stability in Europe.
Alexander I (Russia)
Initially a reformer, but after Napoleon’s invasion, he became more conservative. He promoted the Holy Alliance to safeguard monarchical power.
Castlereagh (Britain)
Focused on ensuring British interests, particularly in overseas colonies. Britain was more reluctant to become involved in European entanglements.
Talleyrand (France)
Used diplomacy to ensure favorable terms for France after its defeat.
Hardenberg (Prussia)
Worked to control German states, particularly Saxony, and largely followed Metternich’s lead.
Restoration of Louis XVIII
The Bourbon monarchy was restored in France, legitimizing the monarchy after Napoleon’s defeat.
Territorial Adjustments
France’s territorial gains were reversed, but it was not forced to pay indemnities for Napoleon’s wars.
Napoleon’s Escape (1815)
Napoleon escaped from exile and briefly regained power before being defeated at Waterloo.
Polish-Saxon Question
Russia wanted to control Poland; Prussia sought to annex Saxony.
Behind closed doors, agreements were made between Russia and Prussia, resulting in territorial shifts and reduced power for Poland and Saxony.
Creation of Buffer States
New states were formed around France to prevent future French expansion.
Example: The Kingdom of the Netherlands was created from the Austrian Netherlands and the Dutch Republic.
The German Confederation replaced the Holy Roman Empire, dominated by Austria.
The Quadruple Alliance
A coalition of Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia was formed to maintain peace and order in Europe. France later joined, forming the Quintuple Alliance.
The Concert of Europe
The Concert of Europe was an informal system of diplomacy based on cooperation among the great powers to maintain stability and prevent revolutions.
Principle of Collective Security
The powers agreed to work together to preserve monarchies and prevent uprisings.
Britain’s Reluctance
Britain was hesitant to engage in European conflicts, preferring to focus on its overseas empire and avoid becoming involved in European continental issues.
1818: Exposition in Paris
The major powers removed the military occupation of France and reintegrated it into the international community.
1820: Congress of Troppau
This congress discussed revolutionary movements in Naples and Spain. Austrian troops were authorized to suppress the revolution in Naples.
1822: France in Spain
France intervened in Spain to support the monarchy against a revolt in the Spanish colonies.
Latin American Revolutions
These were seen as a challenge to European influence, particularly against Spain.
Monroe Doctrine (1823)
The U.S. declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to European colonization, shaping U.S. foreign policy for years to come.
Revolutions in Greece and Belgium
Greece revolted against the Ottoman Empire, gaining independence with Russian support. Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands but was required to remain neutral in European affairs.
Evaluation of the Congress of Vienna’s Success
Restoring Stability: The Congress of Vienna successfully restored order and stability after the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars. It helped prevent major wars in Europe for nearly a century.
Territorial Adjustments: The Congress redefined territorial boundaries and created a new political order to maintain peace.
Challenges: Despite the success in preventing wars, the rise of nationalism and liberalism eventually led to revolutions in the 19th century.
Metternich’s Legacy
Positive View: Metternich is often praised as a brilliant political strategist who successfully maintained stability and order in Europe and Austria.
Negative View: He is also criticized for his rigid conservatism, which stifled necessary reforms and contributed to growing social tensions.
