The Congress of Vienna

What should people do when their power is threatened? In class we had to solve three problems. As Prince Metternich, We had to decide on the most logical answer that would solve the problem asked about Europe. In groups, we all put our heads together and picked and answer and shared why we picked it. After everyone shared, we were told what actually happened in Europe while this problem was occurring.

The Congress of Vienna started in 1815 by the four European powers which had defeated Napoleon. The first goal was to establish a new balance of power in Europe which would prevent imperialism within Europe, such as the Napoleonic empire,  and maintain the peace between the great powers. Metternich and other powerful people of the congress used balance of power so there wouldn't be another domination like Napoleon had done. All countries had equal power.

I think the congress of Vienna made some good choices and some bad. Putting King Louis XVI on the throne was a good idea because it would re establish the line of legitimacy. Also deciding to act in more kindness and consideration towards their people, caused revolutionary ideas to simmer down. People now had freedom of speech and more religious toleration. I think that making more countries and independence from others would have been a better idea. The countries would have brought a greater stability to Europe with different nationalities. The powerful leaders should be able to sacrifice their power for the better sake of others. Doing so can lead to no more revolutions.

 

Napoleon's Impact on the Systems of Europe

Napoleon was a hero to people in France, but a tyrant to others. His drive for military expansion changed the world. He is one of the most celebrated leaders in history. Napoleon had a huge impact on the social, economic, and political systems of Europe.

Napoleon became the ruler of France and was later the ruler of an empire. Napoleon Bonaparte had a positive impact on France and Europe due to the military, political and economic stability he restored to France, the laws he put in place, the reforms he introduced to the European countries he conquered and his improvement of the education system.

According to Madame de Stael, Napoleon's government was made of virtue, religion,  enthusiasm, and dignity. He planned for a universal monarchy when he became head of government. His system was to intrude upon France's liberty and Europe's independence.

Napoleon adopted the legitimate dynasty for France, according to Marshal, Michel Ney, who was one of Napoleon's soldiers. The legitimate dynasty would remount the throne. He didn't want the government suppressing people's rights and instead was leading soldiers to immortal legion.

In the Lost Voices of Napoleonic Historians, Napoleon was a military genius. He was eager to promote advancement of race. His power in domination was indispensable. The strategy of Napoleon was to be original unique and unexcelled.He led the French army to many victories from the time he became a commander, and later a general, in the army.


































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































 

Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, and Some Starbursts

Last week in class, we preformed capitalism, socialism, and communism without knowing it yet. We did a starburst activity. Everyone was handed a certain amount of starbursts at the door and started class with that number. Everyone was comparing how many they had to others and many had 3. The game had soon begun of rock, paper, scissors. I had begun the game in a lot of confidence,  until all of my starburst were gone in the first 30 seconds. I was frustrated because I had no way of getting back in the game and I had to sit there watching others win their games. After the games had ended, Mrs. Bailey had collected all the starbursts and redistributed them out evenly 3 to each person. We then were told that if you still wanted to play the game you certainly could. This time only 5 people got up ready to play. Everyone else wanted to hold on to what they got. I was happy that I could have 3 because it's better than the 0 I had ended up with before.

Marx and Smith had theories on the different forms of society. Marx's theory was capitalism, socialism, and communism. Capitalism is private ownership of industry, freedom of competition, and results in un equal economic classes. Socialism is government ownership of industry, goal is to bring economic equality, and aims for a classless society. Communism is goal of classless society achieved, and no government needed. Smith's Theory was the invisible hand. It was that the government leaves people alone, business people offer lower prices, which lead to better goods to attract people, and the competition regulates the market. This would help the poor more than Marx's theory. The poor would be able to afford goods better.

I think that Smith's theory of the invisible hand is best. This theory helps the poor and Marx's theory doesn't appeal best to them. This helping the poor creates a better society to live in and less people staying in poverty. This could lead to a better life for most American's.

Luddites: Taking Sides

The luddites were people of the Industrial revolution that were skilled weavers and mechanics. They were followers of the mythical figure 'Ned Ludd'. They attacked machines and factories in early industrialization.The Luddites were known mostly for the attacks they had succeeded. Being a Luddite meant that you were just being a protester. The Luddites protested against bad wages the workers received and unfair employment practices. They wanted to get rid of the new machinery that was causing unemployment among workers. The luddites were concerned technology was developing too quickly, hurting society ,and peoples lives.

The following paragraph illustrates a mock primary source letter. This letter has a role of a young girl who is a new factory worker. The girl is going to talk about her experiences with Luddites around.

October 6, 1877

Dear Cousin Abby,

As you know, I've been in England working in the mills. The conditions here are gruesome, but we all stay because we need the wage. We also have been told that education will be provided here. Lately a group named the Luddites have been intruding our factories. They're actually skilled mechanics and weavers but have chosen to protest and break some of our machinery. They believe workers were receiving bad wages and unfair employment practices. I agree with them! We are doing dangerous work for such young ladies. There is a rumor going around that the boss could be cutting our wages anytime soon. I don't know how I'm going to provide home and for myself if this becomes true. The industrial revolution is shaping me into hard working lady, helping me provide for myself and broaden my choices later in life.

 

Your cousin-- Allie

 

Attitudes towards Women

Motivation and appeal were key to drawing girls to work at the Lowell mills. Life wouldn't be too different than when girls had worked the fields at home, so the adjustment wouldn't be bad. There were many appeals given to future workers of the Lowell mills.

Some appeals were that all of the machines used would have been assembled under one roof. The girls wouldn't be running around the factory all the time and would have their own machine to be responsible for. Also, since the factories were new, they would be free from England's industrial standards. The owners built boarding houses, created educational programs and made Lowell  desirable to go to. They made it sounds like Lowell had a nice environment to be around with economic and social opportunities.

Some benefits of going to Lowell were that women could start at the mills, but later move on with their lives and still containing independence. They could also earn good money and send it home to provide for their families. Some girls even provided for themselves and bought nice clothing and saved for their education later on.

People thought that women should stay with the gentler world of home and family. They didn't think the women could handle harsh circumstances men went through. The also changed perceptions on women of that time by working outside their homes, and living away. Also, people looked at women differently because the women were being educated, and began writing to the public.

For women to come to the Lowell mills under awful conditions, owners had to make the mills sound desirable to go to. They made it sound like you would be moving into a better life then ever before. The women had gotten used to these regulations and conditions. Women were  motivated by many ideas when they were going to work at the mills.