The Age of Mass Politics

1871-1914

The Long (19th)

Century

II. Yeats’s Interactions with the

1890s Fin de siècle (世紀末現象 ) French: "end of the century" Generally refers to the years 1880 to 1914

in Europe Connotations: (1) Decadence, typical for the last years of a

culturally vibrant period (2) Anticipation about or despair facing the

impending change, generally expected when a century or time period draws to a close

Nation state created a common framework in

European politics Political parties dominate politics Increased suffrage and literacy in western and

central Europe during the late nineteenth century resulted in higher expectation and demands among the people for government to be responsible for their needs

Major Themes

Participation of the masses in the governing of

European Nations Varied among the different European nations Ordinary people felt increasing loyalty to their

governments Suffrage Welfare state emerges

The Age of Mass Politics

Main Points

Era of significant material prosperity and progress

Second Industrial Revolution reinforces faith in materialism

Mass Society emerges with this broad urban, industrial and economic growth

Era of increased democracy and the triumph of liberalism

New ideas of mass politics, propaganda and mass press

Europe saw itself as “civilized” Material standards

Food Housing Sanitation Transport and communication

Values Science over superstition Slavery

The “Zones of Civilization”

1871-1914

Stabilization of the population Growth of cities and urban life Migration from Europe

1871-1914

Population Growth in Europe, 1820-1900

New Products, New

Markets

Marconi’s radio (1901); Daimler’s internal combustion engine in the first motorcycle (1885)

Industrial Regions of Europe by 1914

Organizing the Working

Class Growing numbers of workers – they wanted

their voices heard and developed labor unions and political parties

Socialist Parties in Germany German Social Democratic Party (SPD) 1875 –

most prominent socialist party – why in Germany? Liebknecht and Bebel – Marxist rhetoric

Socialist Parties in France Variety of socialist parties

Effects of the growth of socialist parties – Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Russia

Social Structure of Mass Society

The elite, the urban poor and the rural poor

The Middle Class

Family Family was a central institution

Men – income Women – household, socials – the more idle the

better! Domestic Servants – housework/cooking

1890 to 1914 higher paying jobs made it possible to live on the husband’s wages

Leisure time due to higher wages and reduced work week Holiday traditions Gender-based activities, toys for children

The Working Class

Family Wages improved to allow younger children NOT to

work, and even more women were staying at home like middle class

Consumer goods – sewing machines, stoves, bicycles – provided goals to work toward

Saturday leisure Compulsory education removed children from

factories and put them in schools

Education and

Leisure Schools

Gymnasium (Secondary Schools) Secondary (University) for wealthy and later, middle

class Needed compulsory education for informed voting

public and national pride! Germany had 1st public education system early 19th

century By 1870s more school requirements

Impact on literacy Growth of publications

Education and

Leisure Second IR decimated village life of past – long

holidays didn’t mesh with industrial pace Shorter work days/weeks = more leisure! Machines to do housework = more leisure! Rail travel to resorts and Tourism (Thomas Cook) Music and dance halls Organized sports Amusement Parks

Early Days of Sport

Rugby in Britain; Football (Soccer) in Genoa

Ferris Wheel – Old School

Imperial Motives