Late 19th Century Global Shifts: Economy, Empires, and Modern Art
The Second Industrial Revolution
Finance Capitalism
Focuses on movements of money.
Industrial Capitalism
Centered on industrial productions.
Changes and Innovations of the Second Industrial Revolution
Energy Innovations
- Electricity: Hydroelectric generators and the electric light bulb.
- Oil: Kerosene and petrol. The petrol-powered car was an important invention in the late 19th century.
Technological Advancements
- New types of fibers (e.g., nylon).
- Innovations in cars and machinery.
Emergence of New Industries
- Electrical technology (production of equipment).
- New food industries.
Medical and Chemical Industries
- Perfumes
- Medicines
- Dynamite
Finance and Investment
- Loans from banks.
- Stock exchanges (La Borsa).
- Direct investments by banks in industry.
New Business Structures
- Cartel: Companies agree on prices to avoid competition.
- Trust: Different companies merge.
- Monopoly: Only one company exists, controlling prices at will.
- Holding: Companies acquire other businesses solely for financial gain, regardless of their content or operations.
Consequences of Financial Capitalism
- Consumerism: Positive for industries, but can have negative impacts on individuals.
- International Trade: Increased significantly.
- Increased Industrial Productivity: A positive outcome.
- Economic Instability: A negative consequence.
- Trade Imbalances: Another negative consequence.
The Turn of the Century World Economy
The Meiji Restoration
Emperor Meiji transformed Japan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Powerful Emergent Nations
- Germany
- United States (USA)
- Japan
Varying Industrial Progress in Europe
While Great Britain was a leading industrial power, it faced new competition from emergent nations. Spain, however, significantly lagged in modernization and industrialization, with limited industrial development primarily in:
- Catalonia: Textile industry.
- Basque Country: Iron and steel production.
Imperialism: Domination and Control
Imperialism primarily focused on dominating territories.
Colonialism
Colonialism involved dominating a territory and imposing one’s laws, culture, and language upon it.
The Colonial Empires
The British Empire
The largest colonial empire globally.
The French Empire
Less extensive than the British Empire.
Forms of Imperial Control
- Colony: Governed internally by a foreign power.
- Protectorate: Maintains internal government but is under the control of an outside power.
- Sphere of Influence: Grants exclusive investment or trading rights to an outside power.
Causes of Imperialist Expansion
Economic Causes
- Access to raw materials.
Political Causes
- International prestige.
- Establishment of bases for trade and military ships.
Social Causes
- Missionary efforts to spread Christianity.
- Desire to share Western civilization.
- Racism and Social Darwinism (the belief that those who adapt best to their environment survive, not necessarily the strongest).
An Unequal Society
- The gap between the rich and the poor widened.
- The rich began to adopt new social customs, such as white wedding dresses.
- Worker discontent led to manifestations and the emergence of new political parties.
Modernism and Impressionism
Modernism: A Shift in Thought and Art
Modernism represented a change in thought, drawing inspiration from nature and craftsmanship to preserve traditional skills. Artists created organic forms. Barcelona became an important city for the Modernist style. Modernism aimed to blend major arts (like painting) with minor arts (like jewelry), elevating all forms to art, blurring the distinction between “major” and “minor.” It was the first art movement to seek such comprehensive inclusion.
Key Features of Modernism
- Curved glass
- Curved lines
- Stained glass windows
- Mosaics
- Japanese motifs
- Asymmetrical forms
Important Modernist Artists
- Antoni Gaudí: Best represents Modernism, with iconic works such as La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Milà in Barcelona.
- Josep Puig i Cadafalch: Known for works like Casa Amatller (The Almond House).
- Lluís Domènech i Montaner: Creator of the Palau de la Música Catalana.
Note on Impressionism
The First Exhibition of Impressionist paintings took place in 1874.