Chapter 25: Introduction

The West and the World (Chapter 25)

During this time period of 1815-1914, Europe began expanding in a variety of ways. New products and ideas were flowing from Europe and barely any part of the world was left untouched. Fueled by Industrialization and Nationalism, Europeans would seek to extend their reaches to colonies that had previously been unavailable to them. "New Imperialism" emerged as people began searching for new places to colonize, and with it grew a steady increase of racism and nationalism far worse than has been seen so far. My objective with this chapter will be to discover how New Imperialism will differ and change the world in comparison to the Old Imperialism. 

Essential Question: How Did Racism Shape New Colonization?

One of the key aspects of New Imperialism and the founding of all these new colonies, in Africa especially, was the racism that came about with their formation. People of the time saw these African tribes as inferior to their industrialized society, and went forth to change and "civilize" them. This became known as 'the white man's burden', which would allow these Europeans to conquer these less advanced societies free of moral problems. After all, they were"inferior". 

Chapter 22: 3, 2, 1 Summary

3 Things I Have Learned

Karl Marx is responsible for the development of Socialism and Communism. I had heard of the term Marxism before but I've never really looked into it. Now I know that Marx is responsible for the creation of these two systems of governing.

The famine in Ireland was caused by the "blight" disease. I had previously been aware that Ireland had a famine that was pretty devastating, but had no clue as to the true impact of this disease. The Irish depended on the potato for everything and I don't think I truly grasped that until now.

More revolutions in France! Wow, this country sure loves to revolt! The Revolution of 1830 in particular interested me. It's good though that, through many revolts, they finally managed to get a Democratic Republic in 1848.

2 Things That Interested Me

Romanticism came along during this time period! I learned about the Romantic Movement in English last year, but I never really pieced together the timeline. I'm not sure yet if I think it's odd that Romanticism came about in the middle of the industrial revolution, or if it makes perfect sense. On one hand the rebellion against industries makes a bit of sense, but it really feels like this idealistic idea should have been held in a different time period.

Beethoven was the first great romantic composer. I love Beethoven's pieces and now that I know he is a romantic I can totally see the tenants played out in his works. Very interesting stuff.

1 Question I Still Have

How do the events from this chapter and chapter 23 lead to the modern world we have today? When are things that are societal norms today going to show up in the culture of the past? I'm starting to put the tapestry of this time period together, but I want to know where it connects to today.

Chapter 22: Picturing the Past

Picturing the Past

The Discovery of the Potato Blight, Daniel McDonald

This painting, painted in a Romantic style, showcases the devastation of an Irish family who have just discovered that their potato crops have the blight. The blight, a fungus that completely ruins this essential crop, is literally a death sentence to this family who depend on the potato to survive. Ireland's recent population explosion due to the cultivation of the potato turns out to be a death sentence when this horrible disease shows up. An Irishman would live almost entirely from this crop and its failure was a sentence worse than death; it lead the family to slowly starve and be taken by the many epidemics sweeping the country. The countries greatest gift turned on them without a second thought, and an entire nation nearly starved to death. 

Chapter 22: US Events

Missouri Compromise

The Missouri Compromise was the first precedent for the congressional exclusion of slavery from public territory acquired since the adoption of the Constitution. It was also a clear recognition that Congress has no right to impose upon a state asking for admission into the Union conditions which do not apply to those states already in the Union. This was important for a number of reasons, but most of them were confined to the United States. While slavery was a vital part of the world economy at this point of time (The US being the lead cotton export), this compromise affected countries overseas very little. Europe was thriving under the Industrial Revolution, and the petty arguments over in the US about which states could own people must have been seen as barbaric. This compromise would ultimately lead to a civil war, a war which will set the US back while other countries flourish under industrialized regimes. 

Battle of the Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo is used as a symbol of not quitting. It occurred during the Texas Revolution with Mexico. 236 men held off an army of 3000 Mexicans for two weeks until they were wiped out. In April an army of Texans led by Sam Houston beat the Mexican army and the Republic of Texas was formed. Texas then went on to become a part of the US. The Battle of the Alamo is a good example of American Patriotism, and a lot of this old "against the odds" spirit is still with us today. This event didn't make great waves throughout the world however. Really the only other country affected was Mexico. However the spirit that is represented here is very reminiscent of the revolts and revolutions being held in Europe. They are fighting for freedom, just like the French or the Italians, against a superior opponent. 

Chapter 22: Significant People

Karl Marx

In 1848 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published The Communist Manifesto, which would become the 'bible of socialism'. Marxism, or Socialism, was a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. Marx believed that throughout history, one class was always being exploited by another. So he proposed that a sort of equal playing field was the way to go, and that society as a whole would be better off if people worked together instead of against each other. His writing introduced communism to the world, and that would be a huge influence to Lenin and Stalin. Without him, the concept of communism might never have been developed and the world would be a completely different place.

Giuseppe Mazzini

Mazzini wrote "Duties Towards Your Country", a Nationalistic piece that encouraged ideas that would work under a politically independent nation-state. His works would ultimately lead to the unification of Italy. Mazzini believed that Italian unification could only be achieved through a popular uprising. He relentlessly agitated the Italian populace to revolt, and encouraged, initiated, and organized numerous small and large revolts from his exile in England.

Prince Klemens von Metternich

Klemens von Metternich was an Austrian politician, perhaps the most important diplomat of his era. He was a major figure in the negotiations leading to the Congress and Treaty of Vienna and is considered a major figure on the development of diplomacy. Metternich favored traditional, even autocratic, institutions over democratic systems. He believed that liberalism was responsible for a generation of war with untold bloodshed and suffering, and blamed liberal middle-class revolutionaries for stirring up the lower classes which he believed desired nothing more than peace and quite.

Chapter 22: Introduction

Ideologies and Upheavals (Chapter 22)

As the Industrial Revolution began to take Europe by storm, a lot of new reforms and ideas were being developed all over Europe. Among them is the Romantic Movement, a movement that was seen as a direct counter to that of Enlightenment and encouraged emotional exuberance. Liberal reform was taking place in Great Britain through things such as the Reform Bill of 1832 and the Corn Laws. Ireland would suffer a Great Famine due to the failure of the potato crop, and a Democratic Republic would develop in France. My objective for this chapter will be to understand why Romanticism became so popular in a world full of machinery and factories.

Essential Question: What sort of beliefs did Romantics have?

Romantics had very simple, but fairly strict beliefs. Of them were the "5 I's of Romanticism": Imagination, Intuition, Inspiration, Idealism, and Individuality. They strove for a more emotional world to combat the world of cold, industrial logic around them. Instead of finding beauty in cities they looked to the forests and nature to find beauty. They strove to be emotional in a time where emotion wasn't encouraged, and a lot of romantics would end up committing suicide, partaking in duels to the death or even madness.

Chapter 21: 3, 2, 1 Summary

3 Things I Have Learned

The development of the locomotive began in Europe. I was always under the impression that the Locomotive had been developed in the United States. Perhaps this is because I always associated railroads with the western development of the US, but it was nevertheless a surprise to discover that railroads were initially in Europe.

Child Labor laws started with the Factory Act of 1833. I thought that child labor had been abused far later in time than it appears it was. I didn't expect to see any child labor laws until at least the 1900s, but I guess I misjudged time here.

The Mines act of 1842 was put in place to keep woman and young boys protected in mines. This was probably a very serious problem that I never really considered, but the fact that laws had to be put in place to save these people is terrifying to me.

2 Things That Interested Me

Life took such a dramatic shift for these people. One minute half the world was starving and the next factories and jobs are abundant. It's amazing what an industry can do to form both bring a country, or even a continent, together. This also marks the first chapter where living conditions are significantly different.

Cotton was an extremely important crop at this time. If the spinning jenny and water frame hadn't been invented this crop may have never taken off. But the importance of cotton really puts into perspective why things like slavery in the US was so big. Cotton was king.

1 Question I Still Have

Why didn't these changes come along sooner? Is there any particular reason it took so long for this shift in focus to industry in Europe? Surely it didn't have to be delayed this long.