14.3-Reforms and Scandals in Europe

1. 14.3-Reforms and Scandals in Europe

2. Review- Glorious Revolution • When James II tried to restore England to an Absolute Monarchy, nobles asked his daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange to return to England • Before they could take the throne, William and Mary were forced to sign the English Bill of Rights, which granted rights to the people and legislative power to the Parliament

3. England’s Two Nations • Although England had been lucky to use reform instead of revolution to change its government, pressure for further reforms continued to build • The gap between the rich and the poor was increasing, and the poor did not have any way to push reforms through government • The House of Lords could veto the House of Commons, and only 5% of men could vote.

4. Industry Pushes Reform • The Industrial Revolution further emphasized the uneven nature of Parliament • Huge industrial cities that had never existed before had thousands of people but no representation in Parliament • To prevent major revolts, Parliament passed the Great Reform Act, which redistributed seats in the House of Commons and expanded male suffrage (though there was still a property requirement)

5. Chartist Movement • The Chartists stood for working class interests. They demanded: • Universal male suffrage • End of property requirements for voting • Annual elections and salary for parliament officials • Secret ballot voting • Though the Chartists themselves were unsuccessful in getting their reforms passed, most of their demands were eventually passed by Parliament

6. Abolition Movement • The changes in government also led to reforms throughout society including a push to abolish slavery. • The movement to outlaw slavery was led by William Wilberforce, a strong religious leader • In 1807 Britain officially became the first European power to outlaw slavery.

7. Labor Reforms • Gradually, Parliament began to pass laws to improve working conditions • Maximum hour laws • Minimum wage laws • Legalizing labor unions

8. The Victorian Age • Queen Victoria was a symbol of hope for the British people during a tumultuous time- her reign from 1837-1901 is known as the Victorian Age • She represented duty, thrift, honesty, hard work, and respectability • Though she had little political power, she respected the reforms that were occurring “the lower classes earn their bread and riches so deservedly that they cannot and ought not to be kept back”

9. Suffrage • By 1880, Britain had achieved universal male suffrage. But suffrage for women, like in most countries, took more work. • Women themselves were torn over the issue- some didn’t think women should vote, while those who supported the vote couldn’t decide on how to best achieve it • The women who supported and marched for suffrage were often imprisoned

10. Famous Suffragists

11. The Irish Question • In the 1100s the British began taking over Ireland. Absentee landlords controlled large swaths of land and charged high fees of the Irish farmers. • Rebellion against the British was common. • Nearly ¾ of Ireland’s crops were exported to England, including wheat and oats. • Meanwhile, the Irish lived on potatoes.

12. The Great Hunger Blight- a disease impacting plants • 1845- Irish potato crops were struck by a blight, ruining the harvest • Only potatoes were affected, but the British still demanded the wheat and oats, leaving the Irish to starve. • Over 4 years, one MILLION Irish died from famine. Millions more emigrate to Canada and the US.

13. Review- Prussia vs. France • Otto Von Bismarck used his Blood and Iron campaigns to unite Germany under a Prussian king. In his war efforts, he also attacked France and humiliated the French army. • The French lost Alsace Lorraine and the German’s became a united, militarily strong nation.

14. France’s Scapegoat Scapegoat-Someone who takes the blame, often unfairly • After being defeated by Bismarck’s Prussian/German forces France had many different governments, all riddled with corruption and scandal. The French were looking for a scapegoat to blame for their downfall. • The Alfred Dreyfus Affair was most disturbing.

15. Alfred Dreyfus • Alfred Dreyfus was accused of being a spy for Germany • The military claimed to have evidence but refused to show it due to security concerns • Dreyfus was convicted and sent to an island off South American in exile • Anti-Semitism was the real reason Dreyfus was convicted. He made a convenient scapegoat Anti-Semitism- Hatred and dislike of the Jews

16. J’Accuse • Evidence suggested that the true traitor was another man— Ferdinand Esterhazy, a known drinker and gambler. • Writer Emile Zola wrote an article accusing the government of knowingly condemning an innocent man- Dreyfus. • In 1899 Esterhazy confessed and Dreyfus received a new trial. He was still found guilty but pardoned by the president.

17. Zionism Zionism- a nationalist movement devoted to rebuilding a Jewish state in the Jews’ ancient homeland • The Dreyfus Affair and pogroms in Russia stirred Theodore Herzl, who called for Jews to set up their own nation-state. • Herzl spurred the Zionist movement, a movement for a Jewish homeland in the Middle East (Israel) • The Jewish state of Israel is finally achieved after 50 years.