Economic Advance and Social Unrest
(1830-1850) pg.760-795
In the early 19th century Europe transformed to a more industrial society. This created a new labor force: The proletariat, which displaced urban artisans and set a new standard for the typical European worker. Family structures would never be the same as the men became the primary “breadwinner” and women although had some opportunities were still treated as a lower class. New solutions in police forces increased the ability to censor the media, Classical economics and early socialism became a backbone for this period in history, this ultimately lead to Carl Marx’s raise in social settings. All these beliefs culminated in the revolutions of 1848 which failed to overthrow conventional conservative order, except for Great Britain and Russia.
The development of industrialism and its impact on labor and the family
The constantly changing role of women
Establishment of police forces and reforms in prison
Socialism and classical economic development
The revolutions of 1848
Louis Blanc: Socialist journalist for the radicals who spoke for the revolution prior to 1848
June Days: A violent class struggle in France after the worker’s revolt of 1848 which ultimately lead to the Second Republic
Louis Napoleon: Ruler of the second republic and lead a coup to become emperor and created the second empire.
Frankfort Parrliment: a meeting after the German revolts in which the Germans decided whether or not they wanted to unite. Two ideas formed from this meeting: Grossdeutsch and Kleindeutsch. Grossdeutsch wanted Austria included in the unification.
Chartism: Promoted secret ballet and expanded voting rights in Britain
Karl Marx & Fredrich Engels (Communist Manifesto): The two wrote for the Communist league. Marx established Marxism which was influenced by the class discrepancies where the proletariat would revolt and form a classless society. Engels promoted thesis, antithesis and synthesis upon which Marx forged his ideas.
Proletariat: The new working class that migrated toward cities as industrialization increased
Socialism: advocated for a utopian society and various champions of which were: Henri de
Saint-Simon, Charles Fourier, Robert Owen
Adam Smith (Wealth of Nations): Advocated Capitalism and the theory of the invisible hand and laissez-faire.
Thomas Malthus: Population will always be low, because of the constant need for resources
David Ricardo: Iron law of wages suggested that wages would always tend to be low which justified those who did not advocate high wages
Jeremy Bentham: The founder of Utilitarianism; the government should seek to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people
Key Events
1832- Sadler Committee looks into child labor
1832- Great Reform Bill, tried to eliminate rotten boroughs, increased electorate
1833- Slavery banned within the British Empire
1833- Factory Act, limited working hours (in Britain)
1834- Robert Owen established the Grand National Consolidated Union
1838- Beginning of the Chartist movement
1846- Repeal of the Corn Laws; symbolized the middle class’s strength
1848- The Communist Manifesto
-1848-
Overthrow of Louis Philippe (Feb)
Unrest in various German States (Mar)
Nationalist revolts breakout throughout of Austrian Empire (Mar)
Charles Albert of Savoy foes to war against Austria (Mar)
Meeting of the Frankfurt Parliament (May)
June Days uprisings in Paris
Intellectual Movements and Historical Trends
During the early nineteenth century utopian socialism took root. It incorporated ideas such as utilitarianism, and sought to create a perfect society in which there were no hardships, or class conflicts. Some socialist such as Charles Fourier sought to incorporate the happiness of the proletariat into their plans for this new idea. Karl Marx’s communism was the most extreme idea in which all current methods of government were overturned to make way for a new classless society. Classical economics, fathered by Adam Smith, also became prominent because of its philosophies that opposed the advances of the common worker. It justified the factory owner’s brutal rule over their employs, and absolute capitalism.
Changes in Political Ideology
The revolutions of 1848 exemplified the attempts to change the ideology of the government’s politics. It represented a culmination of concepts that opposed liberal order such as: Communism, Socialism and Conservatism. The industrial changes and likewise the changing worker status led to increased tension that would eventually lead to a revolutionary outbreak against the former political ideas. The successes of the revolutionaries came in the abdication of Metternich and the eventual formation of the second empire. Through this Russia kept its czarist government despite revolutions elsewhere on the continent. Britain’s liberal reforms kept the revolutions form affecting their government and society.
Changes in Economic Structure
As industrialization reached its peak it created multiple economic changes and tensions. Railroads growing popularity increased the rate of transportation of shipments, making industrialization easier and faster. The increase of the proletariat led to the decline of skilled artisans and guilds. Many artisans were forced to begin working in less skilled fields, while the rest of the nation benefited from the growth of the industries. The growing population in cities supplied a large quantity of unskilled workers for factory jobs.