Chapter 1: Causes and Consequences of Economic and Social Inequality
Overview:
A common, unavoidable trend in European history is the tendency of stronger parties to attempt to subjugate those that are under them. Europe has a lengthy history of inequality, both socially and economically. Peasants were harmed economically all the way back medieval and Renaissance times, resulting in a variety of consequences, from revolts to migration to new economic policies. In more modern times, the Great Depression in Europe and the economic struggles it brought led to new ideas about government and even allowed for the rise of totalitarian regimes, such as Hitler's Nazi Germany. Social inequality has a steep history in Europe, as well. The times of absolutism began to bring about revolt against absolute power and the ridiculous gap of wealth. The French Revolution epitomizes the consequences of suppressing a liberal people. Continual economic inequality throughout Europe also resulted in a lot of backlash against tradition, new governmental ideologies (such as Marxism), etc.
A common, unavoidable trend in European history is the tendency of stronger parties to attempt to subjugate those that are under them. Europe has a lengthy history of inequality, both socially and economically. Peasants were harmed economically all the way back medieval and Renaissance times, resulting in a variety of consequences, from revolts to migration to new economic policies. In more modern times, the Great Depression in Europe and the economic struggles it brought led to new ideas about government and even allowed for the rise of totalitarian regimes, such as Hitler's Nazi Germany. Social inequality has a steep history in Europe, as well. The times of absolutism began to bring about revolt against absolute power and the ridiculous gap of wealth. The French Revolution epitomizes the consequences of suppressing a liberal people. Continual economic inequality throughout Europe also resulted in a lot of backlash against tradition, new governmental ideologies (such as Marxism), etc.
Top 10 People:
1. Adolf Hitler
Hitler was German official that rose through the ranks to become the leader of Nazi Germany. His cruel reign and “final solution” of eliminating the Jews are a dark mark on European history to this day.
1889-1945
Hitler’s rise to power is an example of the turbulence that was felt throughout Europe after the Great Depression. The economic inequality and instability caused people to then immediately trust in Hitler and his ability to help the German economy.
2. Giuseppe Mazzini
Important figure in Italian unification. Very liberal/radical/democratic.
1805-1872
Italian nationalism stemmed from Europe’s desire for social equality. Mazzini’s liberal ideals (such as universal male suffrage) exemplify the growing desire for equality throughout Europe.
3. Count Cavour
Another essential figure in Italian unification. Prime Minister of Sardinia.
1810-1861
Known as the “head” of the Italian unification movement. Helped capitalize on the idea of a unified Italy, in keeping with the nationalistic views of the time. He used other wars throughout the continent to help Italy come together as one Italian state.
4. Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Louis XIV of France’s finance minister. Very good financially for France.
1619-1683
Advocated mercantilism, good for France as a whole financially. However, his spending was mostly used to fund Louis XIV’s extravagance. The economic inequality of Colbert’s time led to unhappiness within the French people.
5. Karl Marx
German philosopher, known as the father of Communism.
1818-1883
Author of the Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital. His criticism of capitalism and his attack on the lack of equality (both socially and economically) within it was very appealing to many people in Europe.
6. Louis XIV
King of France, known to embody absolutism. AKA the Sun King.
1638-1715
His extravagant spending on Versailles, his many wars, etc, caused a huge need for taxation within France. However, since the nobles were not taxed, all of this came out of the peasants’ pockets. This caused further frustration among the people about the economic inequality in France.
7. Medici Family
Wealthy family in Renaissance Italy.
1300-1737
Banking family that grew very wealthy and powerful; essentially ruling part of Italy. Funded many artists, including Michelangelo.
8. Oliver Cromwell
Def: Ruled the Protectorate government in England after the English Civil War.
1599-1658
Rel: Led the war against Charles I and his absolutist government. Wanted social equality (especially religiously). However, he eventually became an almost absolute ruler in his own way.
9. Adam Smith
Scottish political philosopher that invented capitalism.
1723-1790
Created the invisible hand theory, believed in a free market economy with little or no intervention from government. His ideas have been attacked in Europe because of their potential for lack of equality.
10. Georges Danton
Leader in the French Revolution. Important leader of the Committee on Public Safety (CPS) and was eventually beheaded by Robespierre for trying to moderate the Reign of Terror.
1759-1794
He was very important initially in gaining support for the French Revolution. Danton helped to convince many people of the righteousness and equality that came with the French Revolution.
1. Adolf Hitler
Hitler was German official that rose through the ranks to become the leader of Nazi Germany. His cruel reign and “final solution” of eliminating the Jews are a dark mark on European history to this day.
1889-1945
Hitler’s rise to power is an example of the turbulence that was felt throughout Europe after the Great Depression. The economic inequality and instability caused people to then immediately trust in Hitler and his ability to help the German economy.
2. Giuseppe Mazzini
Important figure in Italian unification. Very liberal/radical/democratic.
1805-1872
Italian nationalism stemmed from Europe’s desire for social equality. Mazzini’s liberal ideals (such as universal male suffrage) exemplify the growing desire for equality throughout Europe.
3. Count Cavour
Another essential figure in Italian unification. Prime Minister of Sardinia.
1810-1861
Known as the “head” of the Italian unification movement. Helped capitalize on the idea of a unified Italy, in keeping with the nationalistic views of the time. He used other wars throughout the continent to help Italy come together as one Italian state.
4. Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Louis XIV of France’s finance minister. Very good financially for France.
1619-1683
Advocated mercantilism, good for France as a whole financially. However, his spending was mostly used to fund Louis XIV’s extravagance. The economic inequality of Colbert’s time led to unhappiness within the French people.
5. Karl Marx
German philosopher, known as the father of Communism.
1818-1883
Author of the Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital. His criticism of capitalism and his attack on the lack of equality (both socially and economically) within it was very appealing to many people in Europe.
6. Louis XIV
King of France, known to embody absolutism. AKA the Sun King.
1638-1715
His extravagant spending on Versailles, his many wars, etc, caused a huge need for taxation within France. However, since the nobles were not taxed, all of this came out of the peasants’ pockets. This caused further frustration among the people about the economic inequality in France.
7. Medici Family
Wealthy family in Renaissance Italy.
1300-1737
Banking family that grew very wealthy and powerful; essentially ruling part of Italy. Funded many artists, including Michelangelo.
8. Oliver Cromwell
Def: Ruled the Protectorate government in England after the English Civil War.
1599-1658
Rel: Led the war against Charles I and his absolutist government. Wanted social equality (especially religiously). However, he eventually became an almost absolute ruler in his own way.
9. Adam Smith
Scottish political philosopher that invented capitalism.
1723-1790
Created the invisible hand theory, believed in a free market economy with little or no intervention from government. His ideas have been attacked in Europe because of their potential for lack of equality.
10. Georges Danton
Leader in the French Revolution. Important leader of the Committee on Public Safety (CPS) and was eventually beheaded by Robespierre for trying to moderate the Reign of Terror.
1759-1794
He was very important initially in gaining support for the French Revolution. Danton helped to convince many people of the righteousness and equality that came with the French Revolution.
Top 10 Events/Ideas
1. Luddites
A group during the Industrial Revolution that was against the advancement and use of machinery.
1810-1830
The Luddite movement was the reaction to the dehumanizing of production. Largely artisans, they opposed machines taking their work and their wages. They often smashed looms and such.
2. Open-Field System
The medieval system of managing and farming land communally.
1200-1670
System wherein peasants would farm a communal plot of land divided into strips for them. Allowed for semi serfdom and gleaning. Bad for soil and production, prevented experimentation. Pre-enclosure movement.
3. Communism
A dictatorship where the government controls all land and economics.
1850-1900s
No private property and emphasis is on the Nation rather than it's people. USSR and People's Republic of China are best examples.
4. Fascism
Began in Italy following WWI, spread to Spain and Germany. A conservative movement it has a dictator where the government directs everything in a country.
1930s-1950s
Private ownership of land is retained. Type of government that Hitler and Mussolini ran.
5. Holocaust
Shoah in Hebrew; it was the systematic murder of Jews and other "undesirables" by the German Nazi government.
1938-1945
Six million of nine million European Jewry perished. If you add in the extermination of Roma people and those with disabilities the number reaches twelve million in total deaths at the hand of the Nazi's.
6. Marxism
The ideals that Marx laid out in the Communist Manifesto, preaches against class struggle and talks about how Marxist ideals will end class consciousness.
1848-on
Forms the basic tenets of socialism and communism. Critique of capitalism and economy. Prefers stateless and classless society.
7. Absolutism
Form of government where the monarch is said to be chosen by God (divine right of kings) and holds absolute power over the people.
1614-1760
All of Europe (except England and Holland) accepted absolutism after Louis XIII in France. Justified by Divine Right of Kings.
8. Fronde
French commoners rebellion against aristocracy.
1648-1653
Resulted in lessening power of aristocracy and more powerful Absolutism in King Louis XIV. Occurred under rule of Cardinal Mazarin while Louis XIV was a boy.
9. Mercantilism
An important economic policy
1641- 1800
Basically the world's wealth is finite and you need to export more than import. Focus on developing domestic manufacturing and trade. Began with French financial adviser Colbert and took over European economics.
10. Renaissance
A 'rebirth' period in Europe, characterized by its emphasis on art.
1348-1650
A period of growth and learning. Study of the classics and humanism. Much change in life.
1. Luddites
A group during the Industrial Revolution that was against the advancement and use of machinery.
1810-1830
The Luddite movement was the reaction to the dehumanizing of production. Largely artisans, they opposed machines taking their work and their wages. They often smashed looms and such.
2. Open-Field System
The medieval system of managing and farming land communally.
1200-1670
System wherein peasants would farm a communal plot of land divided into strips for them. Allowed for semi serfdom and gleaning. Bad for soil and production, prevented experimentation. Pre-enclosure movement.
3. Communism
A dictatorship where the government controls all land and economics.
1850-1900s
No private property and emphasis is on the Nation rather than it's people. USSR and People's Republic of China are best examples.
4. Fascism
Began in Italy following WWI, spread to Spain and Germany. A conservative movement it has a dictator where the government directs everything in a country.
1930s-1950s
Private ownership of land is retained. Type of government that Hitler and Mussolini ran.
5. Holocaust
Shoah in Hebrew; it was the systematic murder of Jews and other "undesirables" by the German Nazi government.
1938-1945
Six million of nine million European Jewry perished. If you add in the extermination of Roma people and those with disabilities the number reaches twelve million in total deaths at the hand of the Nazi's.
6. Marxism
The ideals that Marx laid out in the Communist Manifesto, preaches against class struggle and talks about how Marxist ideals will end class consciousness.
1848-on
Forms the basic tenets of socialism and communism. Critique of capitalism and economy. Prefers stateless and classless society.
7. Absolutism
Form of government where the monarch is said to be chosen by God (divine right of kings) and holds absolute power over the people.
1614-1760
All of Europe (except England and Holland) accepted absolutism after Louis XIII in France. Justified by Divine Right of Kings.
8. Fronde
French commoners rebellion against aristocracy.
1648-1653
Resulted in lessening power of aristocracy and more powerful Absolutism in King Louis XIV. Occurred under rule of Cardinal Mazarin while Louis XIV was a boy.
9. Mercantilism
An important economic policy
1641- 1800
Basically the world's wealth is finite and you need to export more than import. Focus on developing domestic manufacturing and trade. Began with French financial adviser Colbert and took over European economics.
10. Renaissance
A 'rebirth' period in Europe, characterized by its emphasis on art.
1348-1650
A period of growth and learning. Study of the classics and humanism. Much change in life.
Top Dog Analysis
Top Person: Louis XIV
Louis XIV was an absolute monarch during a time when the French people were beginning to tire of absolutism. He was the zenith of absolutism, characterized both by his ego ("I am the State") and his spending. He commissioned the palace at Versailles that began to quickly drain drain France of its funds. He picked many wars that he could not seem to win, accumulating debt. And he did all of this with a free hand and no opposition. To fund these ventures, since he would not tax the nobility, the cost fell on the peasants and middle class. As they had significantly less wealth, these taxes and raised prices were a huge burden on them. This exemplifies the extent of the economic and social inequality that existed at the time. One group had all the power, the other had none. One group had all the money, the other was poor and struggling. Louis XIV also shows what the consequences of this inequality could be. Although it did not occur during his reign, Louis XIV sparked a frustration in the French people that eventually led to the French Revolution. If people are suppressed for long
enough, they will eventually rise and demand equality. Enlightenment views on equality and government led to a retaliation by the French (and many other
governments at the time, after they felt suppressed by the Congress of Vienna). Louis XIV played a huge part in starting the revolutionary fervor of the 1800s
that was a consequence of social and economic inequality.
Top Idea/Event: Capitalism
The economic principle of capitalism revolves around competition as a means of increasing the output of a nation. It relies on minimal interference from
the government in economic affairs. The economy is regulated by competition and a free market. From the view of many Europeans, this idea can be seen as
one of the most unequal economic principles to date, though it has been the longest lasting. It emerged as a challenge to mercantilism after Adam Smith
founded the basis for this theory. Given its competitive roots, a capitalist nation must result in a loser. Thus, it is one of the primary causes of inequality. This
principle also tends to, as evidenced by modern nations, result in a large gap between the rich and the poor, filled by a middle class. Capitalism earns the "top
idea" spot on the grounds of its overall impact on western nations. It sparked conflict between the USSR and the U.S, and has proved to be one of the farthest-
reaching principles to date. In short, it could be said that without the competition and inequality of capitalism, the west as we know it today would not exist.
Competition through capitalism has not only sparked economic and social inequality, but also founded our way of life.
Top Person: Louis XIV
Louis XIV was an absolute monarch during a time when the French people were beginning to tire of absolutism. He was the zenith of absolutism, characterized both by his ego ("I am the State") and his spending. He commissioned the palace at Versailles that began to quickly drain drain France of its funds. He picked many wars that he could not seem to win, accumulating debt. And he did all of this with a free hand and no opposition. To fund these ventures, since he would not tax the nobility, the cost fell on the peasants and middle class. As they had significantly less wealth, these taxes and raised prices were a huge burden on them. This exemplifies the extent of the economic and social inequality that existed at the time. One group had all the power, the other had none. One group had all the money, the other was poor and struggling. Louis XIV also shows what the consequences of this inequality could be. Although it did not occur during his reign, Louis XIV sparked a frustration in the French people that eventually led to the French Revolution. If people are suppressed for long
enough, they will eventually rise and demand equality. Enlightenment views on equality and government led to a retaliation by the French (and many other
governments at the time, after they felt suppressed by the Congress of Vienna). Louis XIV played a huge part in starting the revolutionary fervor of the 1800s
that was a consequence of social and economic inequality.
Top Idea/Event: Capitalism
The economic principle of capitalism revolves around competition as a means of increasing the output of a nation. It relies on minimal interference from
the government in economic affairs. The economy is regulated by competition and a free market. From the view of many Europeans, this idea can be seen as
one of the most unequal economic principles to date, though it has been the longest lasting. It emerged as a challenge to mercantilism after Adam Smith
founded the basis for this theory. Given its competitive roots, a capitalist nation must result in a loser. Thus, it is one of the primary causes of inequality. This
principle also tends to, as evidenced by modern nations, result in a large gap between the rich and the poor, filled by a middle class. Capitalism earns the "top
idea" spot on the grounds of its overall impact on western nations. It sparked conflict between the USSR and the U.S, and has proved to be one of the farthest-
reaching principles to date. In short, it could be said that without the competition and inequality of capitalism, the west as we know it today would not exist.
Competition through capitalism has not only sparked economic and social inequality, but also founded our way of life.
Timeline:1653: Charles I is beheaded due to the unpopular view towards the people.
1653: Oliver Cromwell takes over england and becomes protectorate.
1774: Louis XVI is letting his country France go to shambles economically.
1780’s: Madame Deficit (Marie Antoinette) is getting criticized due to her large spending in a time of crisis.
1792: Louis XVI is killed in public by way of the guillotine.
1793: Robespierre unleashes the reign of terror.
1920’s: Fascism is introduced in Italy.
1920’s: The great depression hits europe causing huge economic struggle.
1931: Hitler rises to power in Germany.
1938: Kristallnacht occurs destroying many jewish shops and temples.
1941: The Holocaust starts, killing 12 million people throughout that time.
1653: Oliver Cromwell takes over england and becomes protectorate.
1774: Louis XVI is letting his country France go to shambles economically.
1780’s: Madame Deficit (Marie Antoinette) is getting criticized due to her large spending in a time of crisis.
1792: Louis XVI is killed in public by way of the guillotine.
1793: Robespierre unleashes the reign of terror.
1920’s: Fascism is introduced in Italy.
1920’s: The great depression hits europe causing huge economic struggle.
1931: Hitler rises to power in Germany.
1938: Kristallnacht occurs destroying many jewish shops and temples.
1941: The Holocaust starts, killing 12 million people throughout that time.
Images:
Karl Marx was the author of "The Communist Manifesto." In which, he outlined the basic tenants of communism, a political system which guaranteed equality for all.
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was perverted by Herbert Spencer to justify unequal treatment of other races and classes.
Herbert Spencer used Darwin's theories to justify racism and other discrimination in the realm of political and social European society.
This is a political cartoon making a commentary about England's imperialism. A practice which inspired many Europeans to identify the races of the colonized countries as "Savages" in order to justify their homeland's expansion.
This representation of Totalitarianism speaks to the control the state demonstrates over it's people. The repression demonstrated by the European examples during the twentieth century spawned inequality evidenced by the "more equal" rights of the elite.
The industrial revolution resulted in a new, more powerful middle class which competed with the existing classes for social, economic, and political legitimacy.
The estate system of France demonstrates the massive power placed in the hands of one social group, despite the fact they compose a minority, because they have accumulated the most economic and/or social power.
Adam Smith. One of the first proponents of Capitalism which, at its very core, advocates for little intervention and is based upon competition. Competition which needs to have a loser and, thus, results in economic inequality.
Though not practiced as widely in Europe as it was in North America, slavery still resulted in social and economic tensions between races for centuries.
This shows the levels of power within the feudal system. It was the dominant social system for centuries. It highlighted the various tiers of social authority and resulted in class conflicts.