Socio-Economic Reforms 1830-70 - Assignment Example

The approximate order in which industrialization unfolded; the United Kingdom was first followed by United s and France. Steakel and Floud, 1997: 427). With the defeat of Napoleon’s regime in 1814, Louis XVII restored the Bourbon Dynasty, and France was once again a monarchy under the rule of a king. The newly restored monarchy promised to offer France a stable government that would not provoke another European war (Popkin 83). According to Popkin, “Hasty negotiations produced a constitutional documents, called the Charte, or “charter,” to avoid the use of the word constitution, with its revolutionary connections. […] The Charte made France a limited monarchy, with the king sharing power with a bicameral legislature consisting of a hereditary Chamber of Peers and an elected Chamber of Deputies,”(83). Therefore, the Charte helped sustained the basic features of liberalism such as equal rights for all citizens, religious freedom, and freedom of the press (Popkin 84). However, the death of Louis XVII in 1824 brought a more radical administration. Louis XVII’s brother Charles X took over, and he instantly “changed liberals and moderns by reviving the Elaborate coronation ceremonies at Reims cathedral, which Louis XVII had omitted for fear of being seen as trying to bring back the past” (Popkin 87) . Charles X continued to view the Charte as “unacceptable limitations to his power” (Popkin 87). He supported the growing influence of church on schools; as well as, it was in his time when a strict censorship law proposed ( Popkin87). “Economic and social antagonisms exist in every industrial setting.” Bezucha, 1972: 97-107) and various factors influence the movements at different levels.According to Bezucha (1972: 97-107), “the main factor which influence the worker movement community continuity, occupational concentration, relative work affluence and a high level of literacy.” France once again was transformed from monarchy into absolute monarchy under Charles X, and the popularity of this regime had declined piercingly by late 1820s among French population (Popkin 91). Due to the unpopularity of this regime, François Guizot who was a historian and liberal leader organized liberal political efforts under the banner of a society called “Aide-toi, le ciel t’aidera (roughly, “God helps those who help themselves”)” (Popkin 91). The Aide-toi, le ciel t’aidera organization helped to assure the election of large group of liberal deputies in 1827 ( Popkin 92). On July 26, 1830, a young journalist called Adolphe Thiers organized a protest against violation of Charte. A protest that escalated violence in the streets of Paris and resulted in Charles X flee to England (Popkin 92). According to Popkin, “the political language of France had been that of the revolutionary decade of the 1790s, the language of constitutionalism and of individual rights. After 1830, new issue came to the fore: industrialism, social problems, the “woman question”” (93). In fact, the period between 1830 and 1870 is a period where major socio-economic trends had occurred. Every age has its own complication and situations. “A series of new laws and institutions gave the silk merchants greater power. Searching at the same time for the collection means of survival in the new competitive age.” Bezucha, 1972: 94). This all is due to the fact that a worker ‘the most untreated in our economic society.’ (Bezucha, 1972: 94). To start with, the July monarchy was essential for the development of social trends. One of the major social changes was the establishment of public elementary schools in every French commune (Popkin 99). “Large increases in literacy rates were achieved by France and Australia.” (Steakel and Floud, 1997: 429). In addition, the law that was passed in 1841 that limited child labor is another important social trend (Popkin 108). “Decline in fertility helped to advance parental invests in child’s health.” (Steakel and Floud, 1997: 427-29). According to Popkin, “peasant life changed most dramatically in areas where new industries were penetrating the courtside” (109). In addition, the July monarchy was essential for the development of economic trends. One of the significant economic changes of 1830 revolution was the shift from using traditional ways to more modern ways, was due to the fact that, “France industrialization earlier and had a moderate – sized urban sector.” (Steakel and Floud, 1997: 427-29).To illustrate, instead of relying on worker who produced goods at home, entrepreneurs started to rely on large factory buildings to produce goods (Popkin 102). This reality eventually effected the over all scenario, “Slow growth and low overall levels of urbanization helped ‘health externalities associated with congestion high meat consumption improved to diet sufficiently. (Steakel and Floud, 1997: 427-29). Furthermore, the development of railroad is fundamental aspect to the growth of French industry (Popkin 104). In fact, I consider the development of railroad in particular the most significant change in the period between 1830 and 1870. The reasons why I consider railroad as the most significant change are: 1. It is cheaper to transport goods. 2. Railroad created more jobs. 3. Railroad helped Facilities migration. 4. Railroad helped creation of steal (Class lecture, 30 April 2009). By 1848, France faced another revolution that would call for economic change. One of the major economic changes was the The second republic was essential for the development of social trends. The second empire was essential for the development of economic trends. The second empire was essential for the development of social trends. The Second Empire can be divided conveniently into two periods: a.       From 1850-60, a period of unlimited autocracy b.      From 1860-70, an attempt was made to establish a ‘Liberal Empire’   a. First Period (1850-60): During this period Napeoplean III’s government was ‘both repressive and progressive – repressive of whatever imperiled his power and progressive in devotion to whatever might adorn and strengthened it.’ Therefore, he took both repressive and progressive measures to strengthen and consolidate his power. Thompson (1997), while talking about another observer of the situation of 1850 said, “everything is overflowing from all directions .... The public thoroughfare, streets, alleys, pas-sages between houses, windows, doors, everything is invaded." The situation demanded nothing but Reforms. Pinkney (1955) describes the scenario in an effective manner by saying, “cholera arose from local causes: overcrowding, lack of air and light, faulty sewers, polluted water…” Maintenance of Public hygiene became the need of the day. Pinkney (1955) quoted “to promote the welfare of all its citizens” was given all the importance.   Repressive measures includes: -      Censorship of press was tightened and only newspapers were friendly to the government. -      The police force was reorganized with the object of making it more thorough and efficient. -      In order to control elections the government bore the expenses of official candidates. Thus elections were not free. After 1858, all candidates had to take an oath of fidelity to the Emperor. Progressive Measure includes: Pinkney (1955) jots down the major factors, he writes, “In transforming Paris, he was thinking of reducing distress by providing employment and of making Paris a more healthy and livable city than he had found it in 1848.” Health had improved substantially over the last half century. Steakel and Floud, 1997: 427). Several humanitarian measures were taken to ameliorate the conditions of the people. Hospitals and asylums were founded, medicine was distributed free and relief societies were established for the poor. He intended that new streets cutting across slum areas and the clear-ing for public buildings should force the demolition of old and dilapidated houses and bring light and air and sun into the poorest quarters. Pinkney (1955) Napoleon III ardently encouraged the Industrial Revolution. Banks were recognized and loans on easy terms were advanced to farmers and industrialists to encourage agriculture and industry. Communications were improved and more railways, road, harbors, canals etc were built and telegraph system was extended. This need of the common man became priority and above all amongst them was the demand of a good transport system, which was really in a bad shape. Thompson 1997 writes while summing up, “Such confusion not only posed obstacles to the smooth flow of traffic in the area but also made surveillance of the market and its population extremely difficult.” Paris was beautified with a number of boulevards and imposing building. Renovation of the city although demanded lot of money but it was managed skillfully by improving the trade.Thompson 1997 writes , “Within the renovated market as well, every aspect of market life, from standards for weights and measures to the status of paid assistants, was clarified, controlled, and categorized.” Napoleon believed in Free Trade and reduced tariffs, and concluded a commercial treaty with England. Commerce with trans-Atlantic countries was encouraged and a number of steam-boats were constructed. He organized a grand exhibition in Paris which greatly impressed foreigners. He supported the Catholic Church and instituted a number of charities. The church regained over education.    b. The Second Period – ‘The Liberals Empire’ (1860-70):   Having decided to gain the support to the Liberal Party in France, Napolean carried out a number of liberal reforms at home and sympathized with the liberal movements abroad, hence ten years of his reign (1860-70) have been termed as Liberal Empire.   1. Constitutional reforms: The senate and the Legislative bodies were now given greater powers and they were empowered to hold a debate on the annual address of the Emperor to the legislature. They could also discuss and criticized the policies of his ministers. Thus a very significant step was taken towards establishing a responsible government. 2. Freedom of speech: restrictions on the freedom of speech were removed. Napoleon expected that the measures would make him popular but the result was that all the political parties vigorously criticized his policies. 3. Publication of Parliamentary Debates: full publication of Parliamentary debates was authorized to enables the country to know what transpired in the legislature. 4. Amnesty to Republican: The republicans who had been driven out of the country in 1851 were permitted to return.   ‘Reaction to his Liberal Policy’: The Emperor was mistaken in expecting that these liberal measures would win him the sympathy and support to the various political parties in France. Instead, they were encouraged to criticize the government all the more bitterly. The Catholics attacked his Italian policy which had almost endangered the position of the Pope and almost brought about the extinction of the Pepel States. They were extremely hostile to him for going too far out to help the Italian patriots. The liberals also criticize his Italian policy and accused him of letting down the cause of Italian unity and to them as to the Italian patriots. The VillaFranca armistice was nothing short of the “basest treachery”. The industrialists were alienated by free trade policy and bitterly attacked his commercial treat with Great Britain (1960). They thought it was more favorable to English manufacturers than to themselves. The ‘Orleanists’, the supporters of the descendentsvof lowest Philippe regarding him as a usurper and accused him for confiscating the throne. Thus the freedom of speech instead of strengthening support for him, created further opposition in the countries. References: Bezucha, J. Robert. 1972, ‘Modern European Social History’. Edition: illustrated. Published by D. C. Heath. Pinkney, II. David. 1955. Napoleon IIIs transformation of Paris: the origins and development of the idea. Source: The Journal of Modern History, Vol. 27, No. 2. Publisher: The University of Chicago Press. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1874987 Accessed: 02/06/2009 04:09 Steckel,H. Richard & Floud, Roderick. 1997. Health and welfare during industrialization. Publisher: University of Chicago Press. Thompson, E. Victoria. 1997. Urban Renovation, Moral Regeneration: Domesticating the Halles in Second-Empire Paris. Source: French Historical Studies, Vol. 20, No. 1 (Winter, 1997), pp. 87-109 Published by: Duke University Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/286800 Accessed: 02/06/2009 04:10 Read More