Just a Couple of -ISMs

Hey Upper Class Siders, it's that time of year again. When the mere act of writing a manifesto means you're a communist. That's right: Marx season. And from what we hear, there's been some changes to the lineup.

Me after Mr. Yarnall gave me the evil eye in class today because I wasn't prepared. 
Update: still crying on the inside.

Between 1789 and 1848, the fusion of the technological advancements from the Industrial Revolution with the ideological ideas from the French Revolution occurred, creating what has been labeled as the dual revolution.

So the dual revolution was pretty much like Ellen was cloned so there was TWO Ellens!

The popular isms of the dual revolution: conservatism, liberalism, nationalism, and socialism. 

Please enjoy the infographic I spent 90 hours on, and yes, you better compliment it.

So, then which -ism did the middle class identify with the most? | While liberalism embodied the ideas many middle class citizens had, it was, as the textbook names it, a "duller tool." And as this is the time expanding throughout the Industrial Revolution, people were about greater technological advancements and this "do-more, be-better" attitude also shaped people's political ideas. While liberalism was able to affect society, it was not enough. When other political ideologies were created, they were soon adopted in place of the basic principles of liberalism, although equality and liberty were still of equal importance. However, the one political idea that was most applicable to the situation involving the middle class was socialism, an idea revolutionized by the Karl Marx.

Life mantra: WWBD?

Why? | It was his emphasis on the common man and the superiority of the working classes in society that appealed greatly to the masses of middle class laborers. Liberalism, while different from conservatism, tended to lean towards the wealthy in the middle class and thus, the "lower middle class of shopkeepers, clerks, and artisans, did not own the necessary property and thus could not vote" (an example that shows the divide within the middle class: those wealthy enough to own land vs. those wealthy enough to not be deemed impoverished). Socialism appealed to the masses because it called for political, social, AND economic change.

Karl Marx after writing The Communist Manifesto.

What were the take-aways from today's ROBESPIERRE & METTERNICH DISCUSSION?

Robespierre                            Metternich

How were the men inverses of each other? | Robespierre worked tirelessly and quite viciously to suppress the voice of the elites and any others who spoke against nationalism through terror. He was a major proponent of nationalism and the sense of cultural unity that provided Robespierre the initial platform (pun) for total political control. On the other hand, Metternich used force to maintain jurisdiction over his people by preventing nationalism from erupting. One is for nationalism (positive feelings towards the Committee of Public Safety and France), while the other is against nationalism/liberalism as he felt it detrimental to the Austrian government.

How were the men similar? | The "suppression of dissent" is a major similarity between both men. Each developed police forces to destroy cancerous feelings against the state. Robespierre and Metternich were bombarded with hatred from the conservatives and revolutionaries, respectively, as Robespierre was the opposite, a revolutionary, and Metternich, a conservative.

Listen to me...or else.

Robespierre:Metternich::Hitler:Stalin -- This analogy relates the extremity of the four leaders listed. Hitler and Stalin paralleled each other, although they contained different ideals, they were both the most extreme on either side. This is similar to the relationship between Robespierre and Metternich. Robespierre was the ideal revolutionary and liberal, while Metternich was an ultra conservative. So pretty much Sanders vs. Trump.

Ew Grandpa dancing...

Would they have got along if they met? | Probably not. They both despised the others political ideas (conservatism and liberalism). My guess is that they would have killed each other if it wasn't for the good ol' guillotine.

"Would you like to meet Metternich, Robespierre?"

Why didn't nationalism work for Metternich? Why was he so against it? | As the textbook implies, Metternich had to work against liberalism and nationalism, especially the latter. Nationalism threatened Austria immensely, as it was a nation that encompassed a diaspora of nationalities. Thus, if these groups decided to unite under a similar "umbrella," Metternich would be faced with absolute destruction in his country. Metternich strongly believed that "liberalism...had been responsible for a generation of war with untold bloodshed and suffering." In many ways, he is right...I MEAN LOOK AT ROBESPIERRE!

Metternich's feelings towards nationalism... 

In matters of love and war, all weapons cause injury, especially the guillotine. The question is, who will live to fight another revolution? You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl

Finishing this post like: