-
Period: to
Progress as Conquest: Developing the Modern State
As the 8th European Parliament elections approach, it is important to reflect on legacies of modern European history, asking how we can learn from them. From 1648-1948 Europe underwent enormous change, developing to the sovereign, nation-based state system of today. Along this road to development, many of the movements responsible for progress entailed the conquest peoples and territory. This exhibit examines these events that intertwined progress and conquest, to shape Europe as it is today. -
The Age of Absolutism: "Triumphal Entry of the Russian Troops into Moscow"
This image by Russian artist Aleksey Zubov (1682-1741), dating from approx. 1709-1710, celebrates the victory of the Russian troops at the Battle of Poltava. The Battle, and the fact that it was celebrated, demonstrates how centralized absolutist monarchies such as that of Peter the Great, which lay the foundadtions for the modern state, also fostered dynastic competition and war. -
The Enlightenment: "Madam Pompadour as Sultana"
Charles André van Loo (1705–1765)'s "Madam Pompadour" depicts the mistress of Louis XV dressed in Turkish clothes and being served Turkish coffee by a slave. The Enlightenment was the begining of the categorization of races that defined European identity in terms of Others - such as those of the "Orient", whom many members of European upper classes experienced an amused fascination with at the time. -
The French Revolution and Napoleon: "Proclamation du General en Chef Bonaparte"
This Proclamation was given by Napoleon (whose conquest is also depicted in the cover photo of this exhibit, Jacques-Louis David's "Napoleon et sa legitime de guerrier") the day after his overthrow of the Directory, telling the French people of his plight and his heroism. The Proclamation represents a transition from the progressive ideals and attempted democracy of the Revolution to Napoleon's Imperial conquest. -
The Industrialization: The Sadler Report
In 1832, Michael Sadler, Member of British Parliament, led a parliamentary investigation of the conditions in textile factories. After interviewing many labourers, the committee published a report that revealed the conditions labourers were forced to endure, one of the few formal acknowledgments of how the industrialization conquered the working class. This excerpt from the report demonstrates how the questions asked of the workers strove to find a capitalist benefit of fair working conditions. -
Imperialism: Jules Ferry on Colonialism
The Age of Empire combined the dynastic conquests of absolutism with cultural conquests of the Enlightenment, under a rhetoric of progress espoused by leaders such as Jules Ferry. In this speech to the French Chambre of Deputies, the French President justifies colonialism using the three Cs - commerce, civilization and Christianity. -
The Russian Revolution & Stalin: Stalin's Purges
This text is an excerpt taken from USSR textbooks in the 1930s. It explains the "purging" of many of Stalin's comrades (or competitors) such as Trotsky, demonstrating the tight grip over public opinion that Stalin established during his rule. He transformed the progressive ideals of the Russian Revolutions to violent repression, such as that of the Purges which are "justified" in this excerpt.
