Isms of the 19th century in the realms of culture, economics, philosophy, politics, science, and more. From conservatism and liberalism to Marxism and from Romanticism to Realism to Nationalism, the pendulum of history swings back and forth between revolution and reaction. Romanticism and Conservatism, largely reactions against the Enlightenment project that drove the French Revolution, appear early on in the 19th century are accompanied by more attempts at revolution in France and in Europe. We are going to attempt to untangle all the ideologies that went with this process. In many parts of Europe, the workers (the proletariat), fueled by revolutionary Marxist ideology, unsuccessfully attempted to man the barricades in conflict with the bourgeoisie (middle-class owners of the means of production). Religion was again on the defensive when Charles Darwin published his Origins of Species, introducing Darwinism to the world, and Nietzsche pronounced God dead. We are covering chapters 13 to 15 this week, so read judiciously. What appears at the end of the century is a toxic brew of Nationalism and Racism (partly wrought by “social” Darwinism) that brings on a new era of Imperialism, which sees Europe carve up Asia and Africa and divvy it up among its newborn “nations.” We’ll have more on that development next week, but I want to emphasize one more -ism that developed alongside the formation of the 19th-century European class structure. After getting its start in France with Olympe de Gouges and in England with Mary Wollstonecraft in the latter part of the 18th century, Feminism blossomed in the 19th century in the midst of the Industrial Revolution and the middle-class reform movement. As it continues to develop among approximately half of the world’s population, it may be the most important -ism of them all.
Part one: In this week’s material we have seen the development of many different ideologies and cultural movements, but perhaps the most potent (and potentially dangerous) ideology that develops in the 19th century is nationalism, as it would eventually explode into World War I. How does a population begin to think of itself as a nation? And how did various historical events, such as the French Revolution, and movements, such as Romanticism and the Folk Movement, contribute to the formation of nationalism? In what ways can nationalism be seen in a positive light? In what ways can nationalism be viewed as a negative force? Finally, has nationalism become outdated in these times? Why or why not? Must be 250 words or more.
Part two: First do a little research on the backgrounds of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and include some biographical information in your post. What is the historical epoch that Marx and Engels find themselves in? Who are the Bourgeoisie, who are the Proletariat, and why are they opposed to each other? What would the Proletariat gain through revolution? Finally, do you think that the revolutionary scenario that Marx and Engels are describing was plausible? Why or why not? Must be 250 words or more.
References:
Western Civilization A Brief History, vol. II Since 1600. Eleventh Edition
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