Exhibit 1: Political Revolutions and Industrialization in North America
Artifact 1: Declaration of independenceArtifact 2: Give Me Liberty speech by Patrick HenryArtifact 3: Muskets used during the RevolutionArtifact 4: First Model T by Henry Ford |
The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the American political tradition. It articulates the fundamental ideas that form the American nation: All men are created free and equal and possess the same inherent, natural rights. Legitimate governments must therefore be based on the consent of the governed and must exist “to secure these rights.”Regarding revolutions, the Declaration of Independence announced to the world the unanimous decision of the thirteen American colonies to separate themselves from Great Britain and was a fundamental document in the American Revolution hence its presence in this exhibit..
This speech is one of the best exponents of both the reason and the passion that gave birth to the Revolutionary War. This rousing call to arms held that the war had already begun in the eyes of the British soldiers, and sought to disillusion any who still hoped for peace through submission to the rule of the crown. It was made from the floor of the Second Virginia Convention being held at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia.
The most common Revolutionary weapon was the flintlock musket, commonly known as the Brown Bess, and was first used in 1768. This not only displays importance in one of the key characteristics: Political revolutions, but industrialization as well. New weapons were being created to meet the needs of the Revolution, and the musket is a perfect embodiment of both characteristics.
The Model T changed the way Americans live, work and travel. Henry Ford’s revolutionary advancements in assembly-line automobile manufacturing made the Model T the first car to be affordable for a majority of Americans, and was a direct product of industrialization. For the first time car ownership became a reality for average American workers, not just the wealthy.
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Exhibit 2: Political Revolutions and Imperialism in France
Artifact 1: Political cartoon depicting French imperialismArtifact 2: Jules Ferry's speech on French imperialismArtifact 3: Newspaper article about French Revolution during the timeArtifact 4: Crown of King Louis XVI |
Between the 1870s and 1900, Africa faced European imperialist aggression, diplomatic pressures, military invasions, and eventual conquest and colonization. At the same time, African societies put up various forms of resistance against the attempt to colonize their countries and impose foreign domination. By the early twentieth century, however, much of Africa, except Ethiopia and Liberia, had been colonized by European powers. due to this they faced many harsh consequences such as poverty and loss of culture, and were overall very negatively affected, as shown by the cartoon.
Jules Perry's message in his speech in 1884 contained his idea of the power of the French and his strong belief in their colonial expansion. He declared that it was the right and duty of the superior races to civilize other inferior races and this would allow economic exploitation by France. He said the expansion was necessary because it would give France important harbors and supply centers on the sea that would be necessary during a war. Great nations are only great through the actions that they employ and France needs to be active and take part in what’s going on around them in order to be a great nation. His speech is an accurate depiction of the mindset of many imperialist nations.
Newspapers from the time provide a unique insight into the attitude towards the revolution. This excerpt from the London Times article shows the British panic and hate towards the French as the revolution progressed.
"The REPUBLICAN TYRANTS OF FRANCE have now carried their bloody purposes to the uttermost diabolical stretch of savage cruelty. They have murdered their King without even the shadow of justice, and of course they cannot expect friendship nor intercourse with any civilized part of the world. The vengeance of Europe will now rapidly fall on them; and, in process of time, make them the veriest wretches on the face of the earth. The name of Frenchman will be considered as the appellation of savage, and their presence shunned as a poison, deadly destructive to the peace and happiness of Mankind. It appears evident, that the majority of the National Convention, and the Executive Government of that truly despotic country, are comprised of the most execrable villains upon the face of the earth. " The assassination of King Louis XVI was a turning point in the French Revolution. He not only raised taxes but was regarded as a repressive ruling force and sparked anger in the masses to overthrow the monarchy. In September 1792, the new National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Louis was found guilty of treason and executed at the guillotine on 21 January 1793.
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Exhibit 3: Industrialization and Imperialism in Japan
Artifact 1: Japanese steel steam ship aiding in ImperialismArtifact 2: Political cartoon depicting Japanese imperialismArtifact 3: Japanese railwaysArtifact 4: Portrait of Emperor Meiji |
The steel steam ship represented a new technological advance in warship design which had been introduced in the West only ten years earlier. It not only demonstrates imitation of the West in Japan's industrialization but was an important tool used for imperialism as well, especially into China and Korea during this time through naval exploits to open up trade.
Japanese rule in Korea only lasted 35 years yet left an indelible legacy. The country was relentlessly modernized with new roads, railroads, telegraph lines and new schools .However, Koreans became worse off as time went on. Per capita rice consumption went down as more was exported to Japan. All of the top positions were held by Japanese . Japan began a program to erase the Korean national identity by banning the use of the Korean language in schools and requiring all Koreans to adopt Japanese names. Overall, the effects of Japanese imperialism were negative for Korea, as depicted by this artifact.
Railways in Japan were only one of the byproducts of industrialization in Japan. A Western-style army and navy were created. New banks were established to fund trade and provide investment capital. Railways and steam vessels improved national communications. Many old restrictions on commerce, such as guilds and internal tariffs, were removed. Land reform cleared the way for individual ownership and stimulated production. Thus, by 1900, Japan was fully engaged in an industrial revolution. Industrialization was the root of later expansion and imperialism and many other social and political effects such as an increase in population.
The Meiji Restoration is often associated with Westernization and modernization of Japan but it was an important part of Japan's industrialization as well. Economic and social changes paralleled the political transformation of the Meiji period. Although the economy still depended on agriculture, industrialization was the primary goal of the government, which directed the development of strategic industries, transportation, and communications.
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Exhibit 4: Imperialism in India
Artifact 1: Guns from the Battle of PlasseyArtifact 2: Cricket batArtifact 3: Picture of famished children under British imperial ruleArtifact 4: Telegram alerting the British government to the outbreak of rebellion in India in 1857 |
The Battle of Plassey was a decisive victory of the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies on 23 June 1757. The battle consolidated the Company's presence in Bengal, which later expanded to cover much of India over the next hundred years, and is a key point when discussing British imperialism in India during the modern era.
The sport of cricket was brought to India by the British during the modern era under their rule. Originally it was used as a tool for colonialism, however it soon evolved into a positive aspect of British imperialism because it helped to unite and break social barriers between various ethnic group and predominantly, the British and the indigenous people.
British rule also had a severely negative impacts on India, one of which was extreme famine. The late 18th and 19th centuries saw increase in the incidence of severe famine. These famines in British India were bad enough to have a remarkable impact on the long term population growth of the country. The first, the Bengal famine of 1770, is estimated to have taken the lives of nearly one-third of the population of the region—about 10 million people. These famines were a direct result of British economic and administrative policies.
The largest rebellion against British rule took place in 1857-58. It was known in Britain as the Indian Mutiny. This was because it began with a rebellion by Indian troops (sepoys) serving in the army of the British East India Company. British rule in India was handled by the East India Company. Indian historians dislike the term 'mutiny' because it suggests that only Indian troops were involved. In fact, once some of the Indian troops did revolt, the rebellion against British rule spread rapidly and involved many local Indian leaders who had a wide range of complaints against British rule. The British preferred to think of the rebellion as a mutiny because this word disguised the huge scale of the rebellion. The word mutiny also covered up the involvement of ordinary Indians. The British preferred to keep this quiet as it suggested that British rule was not widely accepted in India. The Indian mutiny was displayed the dissatisfaction and anger of Indians under British rule, showing the negative effects of British imperialism.
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