Europe 1760-1914: The Effects of Industrialization

1- "The Idle 'Prentice Executed at Tyburn" by William Hogarth

1747

I chose this source as a shameful consequence of European industrialization was the exploitation of the working class. During the early stages of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, Hogarth created prints to "educate" working children about the benefits of hard work. In this print, we see children gathered for the execution of Tom Idle, who had lived a life of crime. The children in the print are observing their potential fate if they do not work hard and behave.

2- Rain, Steam and Speed, The Great Western Railway 1844 by Joseph Turner

1844

I chose this source because as mentioned, a major technological development that occurred in Europe as a result of industrialization was the creation of the railway, which increased mobility. This painting captures a moving train on a railroad that is surrounded by steam and rain, depicting the Great Western Railway in England. Turner is commenting on the way human engineering can become one with nature, and the blurred image of the train gives the viewer an impression of great speed.

3- Article from La Tribune des Femmes by Eugénie Cheminat

1881

I chose this source as the integration of women into the public working sphere and feminism was a major development during industrialization. In this text titled "Nos Droits", the author is demanding political rights and women’s suffrage. She uses Pathos to inspire emotion in the reader and promote the feminist movement, such as in the last sentence of the article where she states: “ensemble, envahissons l’Europe pour la cause de la justice aux femmes, jurons de l’obtenir.”

4- Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso

1907

I chose this source because prostitution remains a distinct result of industrialization, as working-class women saw they could make more money selling sexual services rather than working in the factories. This painting portrays five nude female prostitutes working in a brothel in Barcelona during the second industrial revolution. Picasso paints the women in a provocative way, seen in the two central women who are lifting up their arms to show their breasts and flaunt their nudity.