Transcript Isms powerpoint

“ISMS”
Intellectual Trends
The war began in 1914 with the culmination of many
processes; some were political, some economic and some
were intellectual. While Europe had torn itself apart in
the twenty six years between the start of the French
Revolution and the final downfall of Napoleon, nothing
approaching the scale or severity of that conflict had
occurred since it ended in 1815.
The years of peace permitted quantum leaps in science,
technology and philosophy, and the world of 1900 was
immeasurably different from that of 1800. People
thought in different ways, worked in new and different
industries, worshipped differently – if they worshipped
at all – and many of the inhabitants of Europe had a
concept of themselves that was very different from
that of their grandparents.
One outstanding feature of
the “isms” was that they
could be used to justify
anything…
Had the most lasting
intellectual influence
on C19th Europe.
Could be used to
justify
both
the
struggle for freedom
from an oppressor and
to oppress others in
turn.
Nationalism
Contemporary national
movements e.g. PanSlav movement, were
especially
dangerous
to
the
sprawling
Hapsburg Empire.
Could be ‘all things to
all people’. The pursuit
of one group’s ‘national
rights’ is often carried
out to the prejudice
of the rights of
others.
The belief in a common
national
language.
Language can create,
preserve and destroy
identity. (e.g. Irish)
The belief in an
established
and
definable
homeland.
(e.g. Israel)
The
belief
in
independent
and
sovereign government
as
a
badge
of
freedom.
(e.g.
in
modern times some ex
colonies in Africa have
preferred
independence)
Nationalism
A
belief
in
the
desirability
of
extending
the
benefits of superior
culture
to
less
fortunate nations. (e.g.
as a rationale for
empire building)
An awareness of a
common history that
sets the group apart
from
others.
(e.g.
Jewish consciousness
as a ‘chosen people’)
A
belief
in
the
superiority of a group
culture over that of
others. (e.g. Bach,
Nietzsche,
Wagner
were held up as
examples of German
superiority)
The belief that the
end
justifies
the
means. (e.g. Palestine,
Ireland)
Nationalism
Independence
groups
often throw off splinter
groups who owe no
allegiance to treaties
which might have been
made. (e.g. Real IRA)
The absence of large
scale
conflict
in
Europe during the
C19th
encouraged
advances in science,
technology
and
philosophy.
In
1859
Charles
Darwin published his
idea of survival of the
fittest in his ‘Origin
Of Species’.
Gave rise to the idea
that some peoples
were
inherently
superior to others and
could be used to
justify
imperial
expansion.
Social Darwinism
Superior
technology
gave Europeans a huge
edge
over
nonindustrialised peoples.
European armies could
defeat much larger
native ones. This led
to the belief that one
European was equal to
any number of natives.
Native races became
the
‘White
Man’s
Burden’. The basis for
this protection was
paternalism and the
belief that one race
was
superior
to
another.
Led to the belief that
the struggle between
nations was natural,
and empires which
could not adapt should
rightly be swept away.
(e.g. Hapsburg Empire)
The
theory
of
evolution was in direct
contradiction
with
Genesis.
This
weakened
people’s
religious beliefs.
The
spirit
of
rationalism
and
scientific scepticism
replaced
religious
faith with a demand
for proof.
Social Darwinism
The Christian ethos of
care and concern were
weakened
by
the
acceptance of the
Social Darwinist notion
that
struggle
and
competition, and the
defeat of the weak,
was natural.
Social
Darwinism
complemented
the
idea of capitalism,
which was overtaking
the European economy.
Social
Darwinism
shaped a world which
was increasingly drawn
towards
violent
solutions. Mankind was
bringing the natural
world
under
his
control and it seemed
there was nothing
humans could not do.
Loomed largely as a
factor in the pre-war
dealings
of
the
Powers.
Military
solutions were more
and more thought of
as a first resort
rather
than
a
reluctant last resort.
1815–1914 Europe’s pop.
rose from 1/5 of the
world’s total to 1/4 and
‘welfarism’
meant
people’s lives had never
been better.
Colonial expansion was
practical because it
guaranteed employment
for sailors, soldiers and
administrators.
However, it also had
emotional appeal when
monarchs dressed in
uniform and children in
youth groups saluted
the flag like soldiers in
training.
Militarism
Social
Darwinism
justified the idea of
conflict.
Military
machines needed to be
kept in a state of
readiness
and
efficiency. (e.g. France
lost during Prussian War
because her military
was inefficient)
Britain revelled in her
superior navy. France
dreamt of recovering
her provinces. Japan
prioritised
modernisation.
Russia
focused on strategic
railways.
Total military efficiency
took on a momentum of
its own. (e.g. a soccer
team is not content to
just practise… at some
point there must be a
game)
LAND - Germany’s
position in the centre
of Europe dictated
that she needed a
formidable
military
machine. The General
Staff was crucial.
The
General
Staff
institutionalised
excellence. (e.g. the
Annual War College
annually chose 12 from
120)
Developed the concept
of ‘total war’. All the
state’s
resources
(railways,
foundries,
coalfields,
harbours,
crops) were at the
General Staff’s disposal.
Militarism
Reorganised the army.
Conscripts served 3
years, 4 years in the
reserve, 5 years in the
Home Guard. This meant
Germany had reserves
with
12
years
experience. This worked
against
diplomatic
solutions.
Monitored
efficiency
during Bismarck’s wars of
unification
and
took
action
against
deficiencies. (e.g. cavalry
against Denmark, artillery
against Austria, rifles
against France)
France,
Russia
and
Austria were prompted to
improve their militaries.
C20th saw rival groups of
highly trained militaries
with
unprecedented
manpower and resources.
SEA – Newly formed
European
countries
after unification turned
straight to expansion.
Maritime expansion led
to
confrontation
between
Europe’s
newest Power and one of
her oldest.
Kaiser Wilhelm’s policy
of
shipbuilding
was
unacceptable to Britain
who had ruled the waves
since 1805 with her ‘two
power standard’.
Kaiser
Wilhelm
was
tactless and arrogant.
He did not understand
his pursuit of a navy
threatened
Britain’s
trade interests when
there was no need to do
so. His pursuit of a navy
defied the spirit of the
Age of Alliances.
Militarism
The
Kaiser
started
building 41 battleships
and 61 cruisers. There
was a naval race, as
Britain designed the
new
‘Dreadnought’
battleship which made
all other ships obsolete.
Germany set about also
building dreadnoughts.
The opening of the Kiel
Canal threatened Britain
into withdrawing her navy
from around the world
and entered into naval
agreements with France
and Japan. A showdown
was looming.
The die was cast. (e.g.
The
British
Liberal
government in 1912 tried
to divert spending from
defence to welfare but
were denied by the
Foreign Office.
For the newly created
European countries, the
badge of nationhood was
the
acquisition
of
overseas possessions.
Imperialism was a paradox.
Independence from foreign
domination marked a culture
as ‘worthy’ but it did not
occur to expanding nations
that those they colonised
might also wish for selfdetermination.
The notion of ‘White
Man’s Burden’ taught
the duty of extending
‘civilisation’
to
nonEuropean cultures.
Imperialism
Economic reasons for
imperialism.
European
countries were creating
a surplus which could be
turned
into
cash
through trade.
Surplus pop. meant Europe
was the smallest but most
densely
populated
continent. People were
healthier and better cared
for.
Emigration
would
provide
the
mother
country with raw materials
and a tariff free market.
Russia became involved
in the Middle East,
which
threatened
Britain’s control of the
Suez Canal, her access
to India.
Germany’s Berlin to Baghdad
railway threatened Britain’s
trading interests in the
Persian Gulf.
French
interest
in
Moroccan
mineral
deposits
threatened
Germany, who viewed
that country as their
foothold on the Med.
coast.
Imperialism
Austria angered landlocked
Serbia
by
dominating her external
trade.
Britain built bridges, canals
and railways across the
world which led other
Powers to question her
motivations.
Social Darwinism showed
some nations should rule
others, but there was a
limited number of colonies
for the taking and when
they ran out the Powers
started to look amongst
themselves for who was
the superior. It was time
for a showdown.