1. Summary:
Author Eric Hobsbawm discusses the spread and developments of arts and sciences in the last four chapters of his book. Chapter 9, titled The Arts Transformed, focuses on how the arts that had been exclusively available to the rich have been made to available to the masses. Cinema and jazz by 1914 had traveled all over the globe and was made available to the common people. Chapter 10, titled Certainties Undermined: the Sciences, focuses on the advances in sciences and mathematics. Mathematics was questioned down to the fundamental level – which was extremely problematic even though it did not affect too many. Scientific discoveries were greatly influenced by the new technologies industry produced in this time period. Chapter 11, Reason and Society, discusses the major intellectual development in the masses in the form of reading and education. Education and reading became popular in the working class as a way of being able to participate or understand what was going on in politics. It became understood that science and education could lead to power and progress. These progresses in self-educational methods lead many individuals to questions aspects of their religion. Chapter 12, Towards Revolution, talks about the many struggles taking place around the world in the years leading up to the First World War. Some of these struggles discussed include the internal struggles in China, the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, a revolution in Mexico in 1910, and the effects of a potential revolution in Russia on the world system. Chapter 12, From Peace to War, discusses how before 1914, peace was normal and expected in Europe; however, soon after this European powers prepared for war and still so many believed that the general war could not be achieved (instead a peaceful solution would be found).
2. What you learned/what you found interesting:
I found two things pretty interesting. The first is how so many challenged the scientific ideas and principles that so many people had been raised on as their education – it just seems really nuts to me! To challenge everything you know – it seemed to start a school of thought that I am not sure if we have ever gotten away from since then. The second thing I found so interesting was how ignorant many people were that a general or world war would be started – even after Austria declared war on Serbia. It just seems too bizarre to me and I guess that may be easier to say now that we are looking back on history.
3. Discussion Questions:
Is it possible that there will be a time when we question everything that we were raised on or do we already do this naturally? Will citizens of North Korea ever challenge what they are raised on and create a revolution – since that is one country that seems to really limit their citizens from the rest of the world? Also, will it ever be possible that before another world war, people will be as ignorant of this happening as they were before the First World War – or have people truly learned from history?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is more of a rhetorical question, but what makes you think that North Koreans don't like the way their country is and the way they live? All we know about the world is what the media sees fit to tell us, unless you spend a solid amount of time online. And no, I doubt that people learned from history. Yet, another world war is not very likely.
ReplyDeleteYeah I guess you are right about what I have learned from North Korea - but I did learn some stuff about it in high school and I don't mean to say that they may not like the way their country is run but I do remember them being very closed off from the rest of the world. It was just a thought that maybe a new generation will not like it. I guess I didn't word it very well.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that the French are incredibly good at doing this. They are notorious for constantly striking, etc. This is a really good point, Julia. Our generation especially has almost completely given into the media and hardly takes a second look at what is given to us. I constantly hear people saying, "But the government is so big, what is little ole' me gonna do about it?" which is a horrible stance to take.
ReplyDeleteAs far as North Korea is concerned, I guess it's true that they are very closed off from the world. I agree with you, Julia, in the sense that it doesn't seem that the citizens are taking much stance against what Kim Jung Il is implimenting. But then again, it is hard to tell since we know very little. Perhaps they are content in being closed off from the world because they know no other way as well. We see them as being set apart because we are exposed to so much and allowed so much.
Who knows!
A. Gorno
I could see your point about North Koreans Angela - who knows!
ReplyDelete