CHAPTER 22 APEH

Chapter 22- Ideologies and Upheavals (1815-1850)


1) CHAPTER INTRO: The enlightenment, the Napoleonic wars, and the industrial revolution had passed the 18th century in a blur. Now, the aftermath of all these events began to take effect. This is known as the romantic period; characterized by free spirited dreams and irrational exuberance. These characteristics are noticed in romantic period music, literature, and art. The middle class expanded, the upper classes had to fight for their privileges, and nationalism grew out of every political change.

OBJECTIVE: Because this chapter is more focused on the long-term effects of various political and economic revolutions, it is somewhat more difficult to understand. Many changes were simply realistic and coincided with Tolstoy's theories of historical necessity, some changes were unexpected and abstract, and some changes were predictable outcomes of such unpredictable events. I want to learn which changes were caused by which events, and whether these changes were predictable or not.

EQ: How did the enlightenment and French Revolution respectively cause the romantic movement, and the spread of radical ideas such as liberalism, nationalism, and socialism? First, the enlightenment, with its emphatic reason and logic, repelled those of the younger generation. More experienced philosophers and scientists (who had dealt with pre-enlightenment rejection of new ideas) appreciated the new trend of reason overcoming the old trend of mysticism and superstition. The younger generation, however, longed for a change from the norm, similar to its predecessors, and rebelled by acting on romantic ideals. Romantics directly opposed the enlightenment. Where 'the enlightened' favored, reason, progress, and technology, romantics favored instinct, slow, deliberation, and nature. Next, the French revolution influenced every part of european society. First, France, (and the rest of Europe, through France)  experienced huge contrasts in governmental system. A flawed monarchy became a republic, which became an oligarchy, which became a dictatorship, which became a constitutional monarchy. Through the French revolution, a myriad of relatively new political systems were tested. Just as a person learns from their mistakes, countries learn from theirs. France replaced old theories proven correct or incorrect in the French Revolution and replaced them with new ones, having learned from their mistakes. Liberalism, especially economic liberalism, was developed because of necessity in the growing economy from the industrial revolution. Nationalism and socialism were two political theories shaped around the mistakes of the French revolutions.

2) Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin AKA George Sand:
A classic romantic, Sand became an example of individualism by defying conformity in various ways. Sand left her husband after eight years of marriage, and supported herself as a writer. Not only did she pursue an uncommon career, but she wrote about society, romance, and other covert subjects such as prejudice and sex. Sand widened the horizons of women and romantics with her famous influence and unconventional lifestyle.

Frederick WIlliam IV
Frederick William IV was the Emperor of Prussia when the frankfurt assembly met. He vaguely conceded to liberal demands to draft a liberal constitution and unify the german states. However, distracted by the Schleswig and Holstein land conflicts, the middle class lost its opportunity to cause change and Frederick William IV reasserted his divine right and crushed liberal demands. His actions determined the failure of the unification of the German states.

Karl Marx
Marx studied journalism and economics at the University of Berlin and co-wrote The Communist Manifesto. He argued that lower classes would be exploited and abused by upper classes until the working class overthrew the upper classes. Marx diagrammed this inevitable cycle using Hegel's dialectic philosophy of constant synthesis and antithesis in society. Marx devised Marxian Socialism, or communism.

3) US EVENTS: 

Morse Code-1844

Morse sends the first message by telegraph- it says "What hath God wrought!" This displays the distrusting view of new technology, and the turmoil America was in due to political controversy (due to new ideologies) proceeding the Industrial Revolution (Connection Across Continents). 

Compromise of 1850-1850

Allows residents of New Mexico and Utah to decide whether to permit or ban slavery, bans slave trade in the District of Columbia, and requires US citizens to turn in runaway slaves. This compromise shows how the many different ideologies of the time were colliding and balancing each other. Britain and France had enacted anti-slavery legislation and the US was one of the last modern countries to begin restrictions on slavery (Connection Across Continents).

4) Picturing the Past

"The White Horse" by John Constable

John Constable, an English romantic painter, plainly advocated for nature in this painting. A beautiful lake, a horse, and various foliage adorns the scene. A home and possibly a factory are seen in the distance, and are concealed with large, grandiose trees and clouds. This sends a very simple yet elegant message to the viewer; nature is the real beauty in the world, and nothing man-made can take its place.

3-2-1

Learned:

• The industrial revolution caused not only economic stress and change, but political change as well
• Romanticism was both a result of the enlightenment and the industrial revolution
• Socialism and communism are valuable ideas; in today's society we view them as corrupt simply because those who have tried to establish such communities were corrupt

Interested:

• Communism and socialism are very fascinating ideas; the belief that prophets are "wages stolen from the workers" really hit me hard! It's true!
• It was interesting to know that romantics expressed their ideals through music. It seemed odd that such specific ideas could be expressed through rhythms and notes. However, when I think about the type of music I listen to for specific tasks and occasions and compare those occasions to time periods, it makes sense. When I am trying to figure something out or accomplish something (like enlightenment thinkers), I listen to something upbeat and atmospheric (baroque). When I am enjoying the beach (romantic period), I'd listen to something entertaining and consuming within itself (Beethoven).

Question:

• Were the Greeks affected by the French Revolution? Is that why they rebelled under turkish rule, shortly after the revolution?

CHAPTER 21 APEH

CHAPTER  21 (1780-1850)

Energy and Industry Revolution

            1) INTRO: The industrial revolution came about like many other notable revolutions; gradually, beginning with small hints of change. Small improvements in industrial life such as the cotton gin, the telegraph, and new breeding techniques began the tidal wave of a new way of life. Then came steel plows, harvesting machines, and steamboats. Inventors saw the opportunity of world-wide change and production rates boomed. Along with new products, came new classes of workers, political changes, and new economic strategies.

CHAPTER OBJECTIVE: Through this blog, I hope to understand this chapter more fully. I want to make a connection from this period to the previous and future chapters. Thought it isn’t strictly important to the history, I would also like to learn how some of the industrial machines functioned, and how they were improved.

CHAPTER 21 EQ: What was the result of the industrial revolution in the upper, middle and lower classes?

The upper class was not affected very much-those who did not work did not notice any changes in their lives besides increased construction and crowding in the cities. The middle class was affected the most. The educated middle class found opportunities in management of factories, and at least in the beginning of the revolution, in entrepreneurial positions. By the time the industrial revolution was in full swing, most trades and industries had been well explored and competition was high, so entrepreneurship declined. The lower middle class factory working positions became more monotonous and more regulated. 

2) Friedrich List:

German scholar who advocated for modern industry. List reasoned that manufacturing and mass production was a vital way to preserve the public well-being and relieve poverty. List regarded a nation’s agriculture and manufacturing system as its defining quality for success. List published National System of Political Economy. Credited for developing the idea of economic nationalism.

David Ricardo:

English stockbroker and economist. Conceived the "iron law of wages"-a theory which posited that because of population pressures, common wages would always descend to the lowest level that sustained life. Because of his pessimistic theories, he assisted in economics being called 'the dismal science'.

Josiah Wedgewood:

English potter who established his own line of pottery products, which took english middle and upper classes by storm. Master of pottery and mass appeal, Wedgewood became known for his products and economic savvy. He founded one of the first successful large companies, with benefits for employees, rigorous discipline, and high production rates. His economic strategies became the foundation for the new class of factory owners.

3) US EVENTS:

Treaty of Paris-The American Revolutionary war was officially resolved in September of 1783. Britain had been significantly weakened by the French Revolution, and surprisingly did not triumph over the colonies. With the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, a peace was agreed. Two years later, the two nations and several allies met and agreed upon the Treaty of Pairs and the Treaty of Versailles to end the conflict.

War of 1812-

Due to international trade restrictions imposed by Britain, American expansion, and internal US political conflicts (mainly the rivalry between the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans), the US declared war on Britain in the summer of 1812. Neither side was prepared. America was a fairly new and inexperienced nation, and Britain was occupied with the French Revolution. The war lasted 32 months, and was resolved with the Treaty of Ghent.

4) Picturing the Past:

ORNAMENTAL POTTERY BY JOSIAH WEDGEWOOD
 Josiah Wedgewood, a master potter, created his own style of pottery, called 'jasperware'. With its sophisticated, unique, look, jasperware took Europe by storm. Wedgewood creations became a necessary luxury. With the middle class expanding and the upper classes benefiting from the labor opportunities of the industrial revolution, Wedgewood sold decorative pottery to the upper classes and practical pieces to the middle classes. Wedgewood pottery became a new sort of household art, that preceded the art of homemaking in the early 20th century.

3-2-1

Learned:

• I learned that  the industrial revolution was simply the economic and social repercussions of an enormous amount technological breakthroughs
• I learned that nationalism was enhanced by the economic prowess of various european countries
• I learned that the industrial revolution began the tradition of gender based work-spheres, when previously, everyone worked as much as they had to regardless of sex

Interested:

• I was interested in the 'science of economics', it's a mixture of political science and statistics and I never know that before
• I found it fascinating that Britain held an exhibition of the Crystal Palace. One would think that if a country took real pride in their industry they would spend more time on improving their industries than showing them off 

Question

• For the men that objected to women's immodesty in the mines: were they actually concerned with immorality or were they just uncomfortable with the exposure of the female body in a non-sexual way? Basically, were they operating on moral standards or simply surprised by their own sexual objectification of women?