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May 24, 1543
The Scientific Revolution
The Scientific Revolution brought forth fundamental and enduring transformation to formerly established beliefs about society and nature in Europe. In many respects, the new ways of thinking espoused by the revolution’s intellectuals significantly affected how people sought, and continue to seek truths. Nickles, Thomas, "Scientific Revolutions", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2014 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Accessed April 3, 2015. -
The English Civil War
Library, The British. "English Civil War: Thomason Tracts." English Civil War: Thomason Tracts. Accessed April 07, 2015.The English Civil War chronicles the struggle for power and equality between the British monarchy versus the parliament. Characterized as a constitutional conflict determining the future of British governance. The picture above depicts the propaganda circulating during the time of the war, which were pamphlets detailing the British societies views on the division of the Parliament and the Monarchy. George Thomason was responsible for publishing majority of these pamphlets. -
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was an age of academic, artistic and scientific discovery which emphaszed the principles of reason and the quintessential nature of human rights. As a result, there was an outflow of artistic propaganda which reflected the enviornment of the time. Jacques Louis David | The Death of Socrates." Jacques Louis David. Accessed April 8, 2015. http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/436105. -
The Code Noir Decree
Le Code Noir ou Edit du Roy. Paris: chez Claude Girard dans la Grand’Salle vis-à-vis la Grand’Chambre, 1685. https://archive.org/stream/lecodenoirouedi00fran#page/n5/mode/2up (accessed April 3, 2015). The Code Noir was a decree passed by the absolutist King Louis XIV of France. It legalised and outlined the conditions for the slave trade in the French colonial empire. This new, legal rectitude allowed France to become a stakeholder in the continued exploitation of its colonies' populations. -
The Glorious Revolution
While still far from being a “democratic experience”, the Glorious revolution was a decisive event as regards constitutional and religious evolution in England. The English Bill of Rights, passed in the wake of the revolution, has served as an inspiration for other states and remains in effect in all Commonwealth realms to this day. Dr. Vallance, Edward. “The Glorious Revolution.” BBC News, Feb. 17, 2011. Accessed April 3, 2015. -
Dido and Aeneas, by Henry Purcell
Closterman, John. "Henry Purcell". 1695. Oil on canvas. 73.7 x 61 cm, National Portrait Gallery in London.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/henry-purcell (accessed April 7, 2015). Dido and Aeneas (1689) by Henry Purcell is a good example of the influence of the ancient Greek stories in the social sphere of the late seventeenth century. Monarchs often compared themselves to the gods and heroes of that period to show their absolute power. -
The First Industrial Revolution
Innovation and improved technological developments in areas such as textile manufacturing and metallurgy led to many advances in material production and transportation. It is in many respects the advent of this first phase of industrialization that has contributed in making Europe part of what is considered and referred to today as the “modern world”. Manolopoulou, Artemis. “The Industrial Revolution and the Changing Face of Britain.” British Museum. 2008-9. Accessed April 3, 2015. -
Messiah by George Frideric Handel
Denner, Balthasar. "Portrait of Georg Friedrich Händel (1685–1759)". 1726-1728. Oil on canvas. 74.9 × 62.6 cm, National Portrait Gallery in London. Available from Wikimedia Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Frideric_Handel_by_Balthasar_Denner.jpg (accessed April 5, 2015). Handel's Messiah written in 1741 is one of the most popular oratorio ever written. Its popularity at the time is a good example of the important place of religion in the early European society. Most compo -
The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lange, Joseph. "Mozart (unfinished)". 1782. Available from Wikimedia Commons,
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mozart_%28unfinished%29_by_Lange_1782.jpg (accessed on April 5, 2015). In 1786, Mozart wrote the Marriage of Figaro. This light piece reflects the ideologies of the Enlightenment that had influenced him and others greatly. This piece is also an example of how social mores affect the art of their period. -
Unveiling Brookes Slave Ship Plans
Library of Congress. “Stowage of the Slave Ship Brookes under the Regulated Slave Trade Act of 1788.” United States Legislative Information, http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.rbc/rbpe.28204300 (accessed April 3, 2015). The Brookes Slave Ship plans were used as anti-slavery propaganda by the “Society for [sic: Effecting] the Abolition of the Slave Trade.” This highlights a change in European values; slavery was falling out of favour as a result of liberalism being consolidated in the population -
The French Revolution
Driven by the ideals of the Enlightenment, the French Revolution marked Europe’s first effective challenge to monarchical rule, provided the Western world with its first experience with democracy, and continues to serve as a backdrop for modern political discourse in the West. Cranston, Maurice. "The French Revolution: Ideas and Ideologies." History Today, volume 29, issue 5, May 1989. Accessed April 3, 2015. -
The French Revolution
The French Revolution that took place between the years of 1789-1799 can be denoted as the end of the ancien regime. The goal of the revolution was to overthrow Louis XIV and the monarchy and create a republic ruled by the people, which was led by Napoleon. A primary source example of propaganda created during the revoltion was Napoleonic pamphlet entitled `Titres de la dynastie` was printed 170 00 times and was available to people of all classes.
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Haitian Independence
Dessalines, Jean-Jacques. “Haitian Declaration of Independence.” Speech: Saint-Domingue, 1804. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12756259#imageViewerLink (accessed April 3, 2015). Slaves became aware that they were being exploited and vyed for freedom and independence. The Haitian Revolution is cited as one of the most successful slave revolts given it led to both the elimination of slavery in Saint-Domingue and the founding of the Republic of Haiti -
Nocturne in F-sharp minor by Frédéric Chopin
Schick, P. "Frédéric Chopin (1873)". 1873. Bibliothèque nationale de France. http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8416506d/ (accessed April 2, 2015). Chopin's Nocturnes represent the nineteenth century and its romantic movement that is characterized by a focus on emotions and individualism. The Nocturne in F-sharp written in 1831 is a perfect example of that. -
World Anti-Slavery Conference
Turner, J.W.M. The Slave Ship (1840). Oil on canvas. 90.8cm × 122.6 cm, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Reproduced by Wikimedia Commons, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Slave-ship.jpg (accessed April 3, 2015). Britain abolished slavery in 1833. Turner, through "The Slave Ship," tries to persuade his fellow Britons in his depiction of the atrocious Zong Massacre (1789) to act in changing other countries' policy on the slave trade. Exploitation in Europe would not stop though -
The Second Industrial Revolution
The occurence of world fairs - events where people from around the world gather to see the latest technological developments - began in Europe during the second phase of industrialization. Inventions and technological advancements during this period include the Bessemer process (production of steel), the automobile, the telegraph, the telephone, and radio. ExpoMuseum – World’s Fair History. “The History of World Fairs.” Web. Accessed April 3, 2015. -
The Second Industrial Revolution
Webber, Jason. "Victorian Tallis Maps - Museum of London Blog." Museum of London Blog Victorian Miracle Cures and Industrial Age Marvels Tallis Map Advertisements Comments. March 14, 2014. Accessed April 8, 2015. The Second Industrial Revolution occured between 1850 and 1914 in Western Europe and led to a rise in manufacturing and a culture of consumerism. Above is an advertisment for a steam-powered household appliance, which encouraged consumers to fund the industrial market.
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The Year 1812 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Kuznetsov, Nikolai. "Pjotr I. Tschaikowski". 1893. Oil on canvas. Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. Available from Wikimedia Commons,
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portr%C3%A4t_des_Komponisten_Pjotr_I._Tschaikowski_%281840-1893%29.jpg (accessed April 4, 2015). Tchaikovsky wrote the year 1812 Overture in 1880 as a commemoration of a past war. This piece can be taken to showcase the many wars and revolutions that the European continent had been through in the nineteenth century. -
Scramble for Africa
Scully, Richard. “Constructing the Colossus: The Origins of Linley Sambourne’s Greatest Punch Cartoon.” International Journal of Comic Art 14, no. 2 (2012): 120-142, http://www.academia.edu/2403766/Constructing_the_Colossus_the_Origins_of_Linley_Sambournes_Greatest_Punch_Cartoon (accessed April 4, 2015). Exploitation continued with the resurgence of imperialist values, backed up by justifications similar to those used in the Code Noir: pretences of national significance & moral rectitude. -
Karl Kautsky's "Ultra-Imperialism"
Kautsky, Karl. “Ultra-imperialism.” Die Neue Zeit, September 12, 1914. https://www.marxists.org/archive/kautsky/1914/09/ultra-imp.htm (accessed April 5, 2015). Exploitation has been a constantly recurring phenomenon in European history. Its current form, imperialism, is attributed by Kautsky as the cause for WW1. He asks if Europe was moving past imperialist competition to a state beyond imperialism: a state of cooperation for continued exploitation. Would Europe become a cartel? -
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution refers to the dismantling of the old tsarist autocracy, and the creation of Soviet Russia (USSR), the world’s first Communist state. Occurring in two different coups (February and October), the revolution meant a considerable change in direction for Russia, affecting the country’s economy, social structure, culture, industrial development and international relations. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. "Russian Revolution." Accessed April 3, 2015. -
World War 1
World War one was the first war of such a calibre that had the ability to draw in the worlds great economic powers. Propaganda was an important element in the development of armies at the time. Above is a primary source example of a British recruitment poster which was introduced before the implementation of conscription in January 1916 "Modern History." HSC Online. Accessed April 8, 2015. http://hsc.csu.edu.au/modern_history/core_study/ww1/posters/page71.htm. -H.A -
Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta by Béla Bartók
Ringling, Charles 1868-1926 and Jane Bancroft Cook Library, "Bela Bartok 1881-1945 Pianist, composer, Hungarian, Folk Music Eastern Europe Inscribed: Bela Bartok Saint Paul Jan. 25, 1928". 1928. Florida Studies Center Gallery,
http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/flstud_gallery/7853 (accessed April 6,2015). Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta was written in 1936 by Béla Bartók before he had to flee Europe because of the Second World War. This musical piece contains old Hungarian folk songs, sho -
World War 2
World War 2 was a result of Germany's rebuttal the Treaty of Versailles which caused a world war between the great powers. In order to fight against their oppreseeion with the use of propaganda Hitler rallied the Nazi party.
-H.A Bytwerk, Randall. "Parole Der Woche." German Propaganda Archive. January 1, 2009. Accessed April 7, 2015. http://research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/parolederwoche.htm.
