Suffragism, Imperialism, and Industrial Revolution
Suffragism and Feminism
Inequality
Women earned less, often only a fraction of a man’s wage.
In the second half of the 19th century, groups of women emerged demanding equality with men, especially in the United States and the British Empire. Their main demand was the right to vote, or suffrage, so they were known as suffragettes.
Thanks to World War I, the jobs previously done by men had to be taken over by women, proving that they could perform these tasks efficiently. Women demonstrated to the world that they were just as capable of helping their countries as men.
The First Spanish Suffragists
In Spain, the first feminist figures were mainly associated with motherhood, caregiving, and the fight for certain citizen rights.
Emilia Pardo Bazán
Concepción Arenal (Page 84)
Causes of Imperialism
- Industrial development: required new raw materials, which were found in territories far from Europe.
- Rivalry between industrialized countries: all competed with each other to control raw materials.
- Intense population growth: led to European emigration.
- Ideological and cultural factors: aimed to change local traditions.
Colonial Government
- Colonies: Territories where there was little local power, allowing the mother country to control all aspects of the colony, except cultural aspects. Example: Congo
- Protectorates: Territories where the mother country decided to rule through local policies, controlling only economic matters and foreign relations. Example: India
- Dominions: Territories of the British Empire, occupied almost entirely by a new population of European origin, with great autonomy and their own institutions. Example: Canada
Consequences of Imperialism
Territories divided by interests: artificial borders, inequalities in global production, colonization: violence, opened the door for new advantages.
Mapa:
Industrial Revolution
Advances at the end of 19th century:
- The work reorganization: increased thanks to Frederick Taylor and Henry Ford.
- Transports: made spectacular advances.
- Oil: began to be used as a new source of energy.
- Electricity: replaced mechanical energy.
- The steel industry: improved continuously with the massive use of steel ships.
- The chemical industry: specialized in synthetic products.
Expansion of industrialization.
→between 1870 and 1914
→more important countries were: Nordic countries, Italy, Russia, Spain, Germany, United States, and Japan.
Industries, Companies, Finance
1. New types of companies → grew with the support of banks
2. The financial sector became prominent between the 19th and 20th centuries.
3. New types of companies:
- Cartels: They were groups of independent companies that controlled prices, production, and markets.
- Trusts: They were groups of companies in the same economic sector.
- Holding companies
The Industrial City
→The bourgeoisie moved to the Ensanches.
→Cities improved planning and infrastructure.
→Rural exodus increased urban populations.
Changes to the Industrial City in the late 19th century
→The industrial city was planned and occupied by the bourgeoisie.
→Factories and workers settled on the outskirts.
→Railways connected goods and people.
→Working-class neighborhoods were poor and later moved to suburbs.
The Commune and the First International
In March, an attempt by the French government to regain control of the situation led to a popular rebellion and the constitution of the Commune as a revolutionary power. It was made up of workers with different ideologies: Jacobins, republicans, socialists, anarchists, etc., including a considerable number of members of the First International.
The Commune had significant consequences. It provided the first experience of a proletarian government, which led to the worldwide persecution of the First International. It was affected by internal divisions, and its repression intensified. It was subsequently dissolved in 1876. The French anarchist Louise Michel (1830-1905) was a very important figure in the Paris Commune.
The Commune and the First International
In March, an attempt by the French government to regain control of the situation led to a popular rebellion and the constitution of the Commune as a revolutionary power. It was made up of workers with different ideologies: Jacobins, republicans, socialists, anarchists, etc., including a considerable number of members of the First International.
The Commune had significant consequences. It provided the first experience of a proletarian government, which led to the worldwide persecution of the First International. It was affected by internal divisions, and its repression intensified. It was subsequently dissolved in 1876. The French anarchist Louise Michel (1830-1905) was a very important figure in the Paris Commune.