Industrial Revolution Dbq

The Industrial Revolution was a turning point for Western Europe. This revolution forever altered Western Europe and in turn Europe’s colonial subjects as well. The Revolution is responsible for the biggest successes and failures of Western Europe, as well as changing the technology, economics, politics, and society from what it was. The industrial revolution changed western Europe’s civilization in the terms of technology. Starting with the steam power in the 1760’s to the 1770’s. This brought Europe the steam engine, trains, and better ships. This new technology changed the availability and the accessibility of transportation. Railroads connected Europe making it easier to get from place to place, and with better ships it took significantly

The Revolution was able to solidify the power of the middle class diluting the power of the aristocracy. The struggle was that the middle class had the financial means without any power because they were not able to vote. The middle class is able to do this by pushing democracy and finally getting the vote in 1832. They then go further to get the vote for all men even if they don’t own property in 1884. Women will push to get the vote in 1918. The politics of the Industrial Revolution also revolved around nationalism especially in some German and Italian Provinces. The nationalism that is developed in the Industrial Revolution plays a role in starting the new imperialism in the 1880’s and then again in World War I. In response to the Industrial Revolution socialism and communism gain traction in Europe. Socialism appealed to the workers because it was a commitment to community and the wealth was shared. There were many people who supported socialism such as Robert Owen (1771-1858) and Charles Fourier (1772-1837). There was also communism and the more radical version of it, Marxism. Marxism, which was created by Carl Marx and Fredrich Engels when they wrote the communist manifesto in 1848. Marxism was a direct response to the industrial revolution and capitalism. It was a form of government that would give power to the working people and abolish private property. Communism plays a huge role in World War II which

From 1880’s to 1914 (end of World War I) New Imperialism was taking place across Europe. The Europeans went into many places and took over forever changing those places. The Europeans were using the new places in Asia and Africa to deliver raw goods, which wouldn’t have been possible without the technological advances from the Industrial revolution. The colonies were then under European rules and considered subjects of Europe. Imperialism had to do with the Europeans thinking that they were bringing moral reform, civilianizing the people, and thinking that the natives were inferior. Nationalism also played a role in justifying imperialism because the Europeans thought that their countries needed nation states. Imperialism led to fairs for countries to show off what they had in their colonies, for example the 1883 World Fair. Although, imperialism was not all bad because it brought schools and hospitals to places that did not have them. Overall Imperialism was a result of the industrial revolution and the repercussions that came along with