Unit 6a&b: Isms & Industrialization

Great Britain was endowed with the raw materials and the working population needed to begin the Industrial Revolution. British colonies supplied both raw materials and markets for finished goods, while the parliamentary government and liberal British society promoted invention and capitalistic gain (Key Concepts 3.1.I and II). Industrialization promoted the formation of new social classes, rapid population growth, and urbanization. It altered family structures and the role of women (Key Concepts 3.2.I, II, and III). It also promoted the growth of new, more efficient modes of transportation and communication. Industrialization moved into some countries on the continent with the support of rulers who could see its value to the state, while in eastern Europe and Russia industrialization was hindered by social class structure and lack of resources (Key Concept 3.1II). As more countries began to industrialize, competition for raw materials and markets developed. States attempted to to deal with problems associated with industrialization and urbanization, although middle-class elites attempted to block reform. Writers and artists responded to the Industrial Revolution in various ways through their works (Key Concept 3.6.I). 

Source: Western Civilization, Spielvogel, pg. 592

After the Congress of Vienna settlement and through the concert of Europe, conservatives like Klemens von Metternich attempted to maintain the European status quo by supporting traditional religious and political authority (Key Concept 3.3.I). Liberals promoted popular sovereignty and individual rights, if only for the wealthy middle class, and some even joined early utopian socialists groups (Key Concept 3.3.I). Radicals like the Chartists advocated universal male suffrage, and some argued for the vote for women as well. Others fought for the abolition of slavery (Key Concept 3.3.I). Combined with nationalistic ideals, these forces of change led to waves of revolt and revolution that shook Europe through the mid-1800s. Toussaint L'Overture led a rebellion in Santo Domingue (Haiti) against Napoleon. Twenty years later the rest of Latin America gained independence from Portugal and Spain (Key Concept 2.1.1IV). The revolts of the early nineteenth century were successful in some places, such as the Greek War for Independence from the Ottoman Turks, but like the Decembrist Revolt in Russia, many were unsuccessful (Key Concept 3.4.I). The artistic movement of Romanticism broke from the use of neoclassical forms to highlight emotion, religion, nature, and the supernatural. 

Source: Western Civilization, Spielvogel, pg. 620