The Turn of The Century

1. The Turn of The Century

2. Life at the Turn of the Century The Average Person: • Poor • Hard working • Rural • Poorly educated • Religious • Probably have same job as parent – in same location

3. Life at the Turn of the Century The Average (European) Country was: • a Monarchy (usually absolute) • Imperialistic • Colonial • conservative, not liberal

4. Monarchy • rule by a king or Queen (Monarch) who gets their position by birth (heredity) • no qualifications necessary • could be the monarch as an infant • (Mary I of England was queen at age 6 days)

5. Monarchy • Absolute Monarchy • like a dictator • rule by one person • usually right wing • control of citizens • discipline Nicholas II (Russia)

6. Monarchy • Constitutional Monarchy • democratic • elected parliament • monarch is head of state but not head of government • monarch has little power • usually more left wing • more concerned with citizen’s rights

7. Imperialism • The need or desire of a country to expand its territory • to gain strategic location • to have supply and provisioning depots available • to develop colonies • to show ‘power’ to other countries

8. World Empires - 1900

9. Colonialism • the development of a ‘mother country’ society in another country • to use another territory for large populations • to exploit natural resources in the colony • to use cheap labour from the colony • to have a ready market for manufactured goods

10. British Empire

11. Colonialism – British Empire

12. Conservatisism • state controls the citizen • lack of social welfare • more disciplined • military and law important • business more important than unions • resistant to change • Right Wing

13. Liberalism • individual freedoms • citizen should have a say • social welfare programs • belief in Democracy • looking ahead, not back – progress • accepting of change • Left Wing

14. Citizen’s Rights • LimitedSuffrage • the right to vote • few countries • male only • must have money • Limited Freedoms • Little Freedom of Religion • Little Freedom of Speech

15. Communications • Telegraph via ocean cable • Development of radio • Telephone just invented, not over the ocean • Newspaper most common method International Travel • By boat • Slow – 2–4 weeks North America to Europe

16. Lifestyle and Trends • Simple, rural life • Most homes no electricity • Limited use of telephones • Entertainment was local, usually Church oriented • Horse main source of transportation • Technological advances • electricity, streetcars, automobile, telephones, etc

17. Lifestyle and Trends • Urbanization • Trend to move from the country to urban areas (cities) • Opportunities for jobs • Created overcrowding, poverty • Too many people moved into the city at the same time

18. Lifestyle and Trends

19. Lifestyle and Trends • Migration • Mostly to North America • Free land • Many jobs • “Rags to riches” – anyone can become wealthy

20. Lifestyle and Trends • Capitalism in North America • Free Enterprise • Anyone can own a business and earn profits • Technological development (inventions) could make you rich

21. Lifestyle and Trends • Cultural change • Huge changes in lifestyle cause changes in art and culture • Art reflects society? • 20th century promised change • People questioned society and tradition • Some innovate people were inventors, some were artists

22. Art Nouveau Modernism Cubism – Picasso - 1909

23. Lifestyle and Trends • Division between rich and poor • Many working class – very poor • Working class • No wage protection • Poor working conditions • Child Labour • Unemployment • Result of rapid urbanization Coal Miners

24. Lifestyle and Trends • Women’s Rights and Suffrage • Demanded equality • Demanded the right to vote • By 1910, only New Zealand, Australia, Finland • Canada – “Woman, idiot, lunatic cannot vote” • Brought out other social issues • Unemployment • Alcoholism • Poverty • Poor health conditions

25. The Global Village • What is a ‘Global Village’? • Define village and apply to a global concept • Technological change • Transportation • Steam for ships, trains and industry • Internal combustion engine (automobiles, trucks) and industrial • Communications • Long distance transmission of electrical energy • Radio, telephone

26. Imperialism and Violence

27. Imperialism and Violence • Gold, Glory and God • Gold – Raw materials, natural resources, wealth • Glory – Triumph over opponents – usually weaker • God – Impose Christianity on other peoples • Africa and Asia seen as prizes to be fought over • By 1895 85% of Africa controlled by Imperialist nations • All nations built larger armies and navies • International tension and jealousy increased

28. The Boer War – 1899-1902 • Britain most dominant world power • Wanted to take over South Africa ‘Glory’ • “Reason” for the war • Boers (of Dutch descent) lived in S. Africa • Boers refused to give equal rights to British • Real reason • Massive gold and diamond deposits ‘Gold’ • Britain finally won war – at great cost • S. Africa became British colony

29. The Boer War – 1899-1902 • Much of world resented Britain • Already the most dominant world power • French Canada felt that Boers were only trying to achieve autonomy and self determination • Many nations felt Britain was being greedy – that they already had enough money and power • Germany very jealous of Britain and wanted colonies so they would be as “powerful” • Many nations felt super-strong Britain defeated very weak Boers - most nations sympathized with the Boers

30. Japanese Imperialism • Japanese believed they must defend against European imperialism • Learned financial and naval matters in England • Learned law and government in France • Learned military organization and strategy in Germany • Developed a strong industrial base • Needed raw materials – from Russia and China • Attacked Russia – Russo/Japanese War 1905 • First time a non-European nation defeated a European nation • Gave Japan influence in Asia - power

31. American Imperialism • U.S. acquired Hawaii and Alaska by purchase • U.S. acquired other terrritories by war (Spanish/American War) • U.S. dominated South American economics • Beginning of U.S. economic and military domination of the world • U.S. senator said “We must . . . Occupy new markets and if necessary new lands”