Summary

World History Class 03

A BRIEF REVISION OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS (5:13 PM)

POLITICAL EFFECTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (5:15 PM)

With the industrial revolution educated middle class was formed for the first time.
Middle Class consisted of professionals like doctors, teachers, technicians, engineers, and accountants.
Being educated they were quite dynamic and wanted change.
It was this class that led the great revolutions like the glorious revolution in England, and the American and French Revolutions.
The consequent effect of the middle-class formation was the transfer of power from the feudal class to the middle class.
Eighteenth Century European society experienced the Age of Enlightenment.
The Great philosophies started during the age.
All the philosophies whether they were socialism, individualism, capitalism, or utilitarianism, were connected with the results of the Industrial Revolution one way or the other.
The very meaning of the word 'power', changed.
Before the industrial revolution power meant military strength whereas after the industrial revolution, it was industry that meant power.
This was proved beyond doubt for the first time during the American Civil War, where industrially advanced northern states defeated agriculturally dependent southern states.
As the President of Russia rightly remarked, 'Power meant Industry'.

SOCIAL EFFECTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

With regarding social and cultural effects, 'the industrial revolution created more mobility than stability'.
Mobility is seen first in the joint family system changing.
With industrialization cities and towns became major centers for employment.
(a) Large-scale migration started toward the urban centres.
Consequently, the joint family system was replaced by nuclear families.
(b) Language changed.
The highly poetic and flowery English language called Victorian English or Georgian English was replaced by simple spoken English.
It was convenient for trade and commercial language.
(c) Food habits changed.
The organized and structured way of life before the industrial revolution was replaced by a highly disorganized inconsistent lifestyle.
Excess consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol became part of food habits.
(d) Dress patterns also changed.
This was because a lot of importance was given to appearance in the corporate culture.
(e) Even architecture changed.
Before the Industrial Revolution European society had Gothic architecture characterized by big houses.
In the industrialized society, the hall itself had become a drawing room.
(f) In town planning the gated communities and new colonies appeared for the first time, marking the social division. (6:14 PM)
More mobility than stability is more concerned about an individual's profession and economic stability.
With the industrial revolution and the capitalist system of production professional insecurity came to prevail at a larger scale.
This was because industrialized societies thrived on profit.
When market fluctuations take place, uncertainties arise.
In this context, more mobility than stability was applied.
With industrialization, new social problems also surfaced.
(a) Settlements of workers around the factories led to the formation of slum areas.
(b) Child employment and Women's employment posed new problems and challenges to society.
(c) Human society for the first time experienced problems like pollution and too much exploitation of non-renewable resources.
(d) Professional uncertainties and socio-economic tensions affected human health at a larger scale for the first time causing physical and mental disorders like depression.
(e) Unfortunately, with the industrial revolution man had become a victim of his technology.
Practically he lost control of the technology and instruments he is manufacturing, inviting new sorts of challenges.
Thus everywhere it appears that the industrial revolution created more mobility than stability.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION (6:30 PM)

It may be defined as all the events that have taken place between 1763 and 1783.
For understanding the War of Independence, first, we must understand the process of colonization that started in America.
England occupied the major portion of Northern America founding thirteen colonies.
France established its colonies in Canada, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Louisiana.
Spain founded its colonies in Mexico and Florida.
Portugal concentrated in Southern America or Latin America.
In Europe, a Seven-year war started between England and France, and it ended with the defeat of France.
Under the Paris Treaty of 1764, France was made to vacate all its colonies except Louisiana.
Exactly after 20 years the Settled English in America revolted against England and made England vacate America.
This was why American Revolution meant all the events that had taken place between 1763 and 1783.
Causes for the Revolution
It was quite natural for the people who have come up of age to question exploitation and to revolt against absolute authority.
Unlike other countries, the people of America were well-developed, mature, and advanced in their thinking processes.
After all most of them came from England and settled in America, as such they had a thorough understanding of the democratic ideas and the institutions of England.
Their forefathers were the architects of the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, and the Petition of Rights. There were three pillars of democracy.
In America much before the revolution, way back in 1664, an attempt was made to draft a constitution for the thirteen colonies in Alabama.
Alabama conference though failed in its attempt to draft a constitution, established the fact that Americans knew constitutionalism before the revolution.
In the colonial administration also each colony had a legislative assembly.
Dynamic political activities were always there in the colonies.
Town hall meetings were held for discussing public issues.
Thus, America already had a democratic system of governance.
Moreover, governors of the colonies were appointed by the parliament but their salaries were being paid by the colonies.
Thus, colonies exercised control over the executive, governor.
Education was well-developed in America with Pittsburg and Boston Universities.
With the education system, educated middle class with intellectuals like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Adam Brothers called Sam Adam and Paul Adam.
Americans were equally influenced by the Age of Enlightenment in Europe and its intellectual currents.
They were particularly influenced by John Locke's Theory of Natural Rights.
Thus conditions were already satisfied in America much before the beginning of the revolution, as it was well educated democratic, and progressive society.
Thus they were people who have come up of age and naturally, they were ready to question exploitation and absolute authority.

DOUBT RESOLUTION (7:13 PM)

AMERICAN REVOLUTION(CONTINUED) (7:28 PM)

Under mercantilism, England exploited America. They considered the resources of America as their resource.
Americans were made dependent on England.
England didn't allow Americans to export. It was monopolistic trade.
America wasn't allowed to trade with any other European country without their permission.
Even when the colonies were allowed to trade, the goods were supposed to first go through England.
Some commodities were taxed more. These commodities were listed under the enumerated list of articles. England kept adding to this list.
Americans were mainly protestants. Protestants are known for questioning authority.
The distance between England and America, made the Americans realize the difference they have with England.
In 1763, the Molasses Act was passed. Colonies importing molasses from other than British West Indies have to pay additional taxes.
Molasses Act was replaced by Sugar Act. Under it, Colonies were made to buy inferior-quality sugar from the English East India Company.
In 1765, Stamp Act was passed. Under it, any legal transaction must take place with the legal stamps of England.
Colonies organized a continental congress to protest against this act. 9 colonies turned up in this.
In the stamp act conference, the slogan was given "No taxation without representation".
As a result, the British parliament was forced to withdraw the stamp act, of 1765.
Colonies understood that if they go for the collaborated effort they can force the English to accept their demand.
Colonies were forced to buy tea from the English East India Company.
Colonies protested against this. In one such protest, people were killed in Boston.
It was projected as the Boston Massacre.
American Journalism took up this issue and publicized it.
In 1773, a protest was organized in Boston against the English East India Company.
The Olive Branch Petition was adopted by Congress on July 5th, 1775 to be sent to the King as a last attempt to prevent formal war from being declared.
During this protest, tea was dumped in the sea. This was called the Boston Tea Party.
France and Spain supported the American colonies against England.
The war ended with the 1784 Paris Treaty.

THE TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS: AMERICAN REVOLUTION (CONTINUED)