Rom-History

=The Romantic Era: History= Tyler Hood

​The Romantic Era was a period of change throughout the world that occured from 1798-1832. Several major revolutions and movements occured during this time that effected the era's art, literature, music, and overall culture. Some of the most famous conflicts and transitions included the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. Politics in general began to change worldwide, shifting to a less "hands on" approach to governing. All of these changes contributed to the principles of freedom, self-expression, beauty of nature, internal reflection, and rebellion against controlling powers, which connected art, music, and literature of the time period.


 * American Revolution[[image:American_Revolution.jpg width="283" height="189" align="right"]]**

The American Revolution took place from 1775 to 1783 ([|timeline]). Britain began to impose taxes on the 13 colonies in America, and the colonists united and decided to rebel against anything in which they had no say. They refused to give Parliament any authority over them as they did not recieve representation in Parliament. In 1776, the colonies officially united to declare their indepndence and break their alligance to Britain through the [|Declaration of Independence]. The war ended in 1781 and the Articles of Confederation were created as the national law. However, six years later the Constitution was written and ratified, followed by the Bill of Rights in 1791. The was began with the creation of the United States of America and ended with the beginings of a successful democracy free from the rule of a monarchy.


 * French Revolution**

The [|French Revolution]took place from 1787 to 1799. The common people of France united to overthrow the power of the upper class and bring about a democratic revolution. Tired of paying high taxes to support the wealthy and suffering through an economic decline (after participating in the American Revolution) and a bad crop year, the Thrid Estate (commoners) met with the clergy and noblemen of France to discuss raising taxes on the wealthy in order to reduce the budget deficit. The nationwide unity forced king Louis XVI to yield to their demands dispite the resistance of the upper class. He appointed reformist Jacques Necker to the position of fanance minister and granted freedom of press. These two events led to nationwide advertising of the reconstruction of the state. The citizens voted in an election for the Estates-General which would consist of 300 deputies for the clergy, 300 for the nobility, and 600 for the Third Estate. Later that year, Lois XVI and the rest of the Royal Family were removed and imprisoned in Paris. In their absence, a Legistlative Assembly ruled for approximately a year. However, in 1792, it was replaced with the National Convention which declared the Republic. The King was tried in 1792 and [|executed] in 1793. Later that month, the new government declared war on Britain.


 * Unifying Principles of the American and French Revolutions**

These historically significan revolutions showed the growing desire to be free. Both the Americand and French revolution dealt with the rmoval of a totalitarian, oppressive government and the desire for and creation of democracy. Another common theme that was present in much of the literature of the time was closing the gap between the upper and lower classes and creating equality among citizens.

The French Revolution in particular had a great influence on British literature and intellectual life. It showed that reason could triumph over privilege and superstition and was embraced by many English radicals including [|Thomas Paine] and William Blake. The main emphasis of the revolution was freedom, equality, and fraternity. These themes presented themselves throughout much of British literature, art, and music of the time.


 * Industrial Revolution**

The [|Industrial Revolution]took place in England from 1760 to 1850. This "revolution" was a transition period in which agriculture, transportation, and industry all experienced great [|technological advancements and inventions] that helped to boost profit and efficiency. In the field of agriculture, techniques for harvesting and planting were improved and developed during this period. Farm tools began being made from sturdy metals and people started to focus on the breeding of livestock, the control in insects, and developing new crops. These updated and reformed methods of agriculture led to greater profit and production which meant that agriculture was able to sustain more people. This allowed for the expansino of economy and industry. The roller spinner and the flying-shuttle were two inventions in the textile industry that increased productivity and led to the creation of factory production rather than home production. The building of factories attracted people and led to a population shift to settlements around factories. As far as transportation, canals were constructed to link industrial districts and tramways served coal mines. John Ericsson and Robert Fulton invented the steamboat and George Stephenson the locomotive. This made the transportation of goods much more efficient and connected countries in a way that had never existed prior to the Industrial Revolution. The rapid changes that occured during this period caused several problems that were ignored due to the overwhelming momentum of the revolution. Towns became unregulated, dirty, and crowded and public sanitation became a serious issue. Workers rights and child labor also became previlent issues with all of the factory work taking place. This major time period of transition and change had a great effect of British society.


 * Unifying Principles of the Industrial Revolution**

Many artists and writers of the time criticized the Industrial Revolution because it threatened their belief system that focused on the indiviual, emotions, and imagination. The revolution brought so much new techonology and productivity that the imagination and awe of nature seemed to be lost within society. Many scholars say that the Industrial Revolution is the reason for the Romantic Era. The Romantic Era was a reminder to society that nature is still more beautiful than factories and machinery and that imagination is the key to freedom and life. These principles were evident throughout art and literature of the time and were perhaps the most influencial part of the Romanitc Era.


 * Political Changes**

Overall, government throughout this time period took on a more [|Laissez-Faire] approach. This simply means that the government became more hands off with the economy and overall structure of the state. Throughout the world, totalitarianism and oppresive governments were being removed and democracy was begining to take hold, as in the American and French Revolutions. This less oppressive rule of the people had a great impact on the literature and art of the Romantic Era.


 * Unifying Principles of Political Change**

Freedom and self-expression were important aspects of literature, poetry, music, and art in the Romantic Era. The "hands off" approach to government became a real-life demonstration of these principles found throughout modern books and art of the time.

Works Cited

Cody, David. "French Revolution." //Victorian Web//. 10 08 2007. Brown University, Web. 18 Nov 2009. <[]. //EyeWitness to History//. 16 11 2009. Ibis Communications Inc. 18 Nov. 2009 <[]> "French Revolution." __Encyclopædia Britannica__. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 18 Nov. 2009 <[]>. "The Industrial Revolution." 17 02 2003. Sea.Ca. 18 Nov 2009. <[|http://industrialrevolutoin.sea.ca]> Kreis, Steven. History Guide. 28 07 2008. 18 Nov 2009. <[|http://www.historyguide.org]> Montagna, Joseph. "The Industrial Revolution." //New Haven Teachers Institure//. 2009. Yale University. Web. 18 Nov 2009. [|. //USHistory.org//. 2009. Independence Hall Association. 18 Nov. 2009 <[|http://www.ushistory.org]>

Pictures from the following:

American Revolution: [] French Revolution: [] Industrial Revolution: []