HIS242H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Eric Hobsbawm, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution
HIS 242: LECTURE 1
• Eric Hobsbawm- Historian for the 19th and 20th century. Short 20th century: starts at the First World
War ends at 1991. Was also interested in the long 19th century (French revolution in 1789 up to the
first world war) characterized by two revolutions (Industrial revolution [man starts to live in proper
civilization], French revolution [democracy, individual rights, liberalism, rule of law, limited
government, protection of private property. John Locke and Adam Smith are very important]).
Capitalism, an economic system that believes in free markets without the interference of the
goeret. Its atra is Idiidual aitio seres the oo good Ada “ith.
Nationalism: how it is the result of the 19th century.
• The age of Extremes (1914-1991): 20th century characterized by the destruction, perversion, and
failure of democracy, nationalism, capitalism
• Fascism and Nazism (Failure of Democracy): People embrace authoritarian governments (1920s-
1945). Reaction to liberal deoray Esape fro Freedo talks aout ho people should tur
away from democracy due to how chaotic it can be. All institutions subordinate to one single
charismatic leader.
• Great Depression (Failure of Capitalism): Imperialism the last stage of capitalism? Markets plunged,
people are out of ork, uale to feed theseles. No great depressio ouist outries.
• Failure of the Industrial Revolution: fueled the World Wars. Industrial revolution was based on ideas
of Enlightenment: progress, reason, and technological advancement. Progress and economic growth
through ireasig hua koledge. Baoia progra of useful koledge. Idustrial
revolution meant for making human life better was used to end it. Foundation of Enlightenment
believed that better societies could be created through industry. Two World Wars call into question
basic assumptions of industrial revolution.
• Failure of Technology: Atom Bomb forces Europeans to reconsider long held belief that technology
is beneficial to mankind. Europeans begin to question the role technology has in society. Challenges
the basic assumption that industrial technology produces positive change in the world.
• Cold War (1950-1989): Soviet Union vs. United States fight one another in proxy wars. Vietnam War
(1956-1975) used to fight communists and contain communism as much as possible (believed if one
country is communist, it would spread everywhere in South East Asia). Soviet War in Afghanistan
(1979-1989), Overthrown Governments: 1953 (overthrew Iranian president who wanted to
nationalize fuels), 1954 (Guatemala: overthrew the government who wanted to buy their land back
to distribute it to peasants), 1973 (Chile: starts to make socialist moves, US brands him as a
communist).
• Failure of Communism: The end of communism in Eastern Europe and the dissolution of the USSR
was the defining event of the 20th century. It left the USA as the unrivaled hegemon in the world.
• Post Cold War
▪ World Globalization: Economic integration throughout the world, corporate imperialism.
Bangladesh: Garment factory collapse. Aral Sea drying up due to irrigation to grow cotton.
▪ Iforatio Age: Faeook, Titter…
▪ Age of Terror: 9/11.
Syllabus:
• You are there paper: can be written in a series of letters, mock newspaper articles, diaries
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
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