Today’s class provided insight into the world of the 1900s, a place of empires built upon decades of colonialism that created a race for technological advancement between nation-states that would only grow in its competitiveness. The 1900s were also a time of immense technological growth and the first era of globalization provided by the advanced technology of the time and the desire of nations to expand. Even further, this advanced communication allowed for the spread of knowledge and dissemination of technology, culminating in landmark achievements such as electricity-powered factories, the internal combustion engine, the creation of steel and mass production, and the use of chemicals. Although these inventions were fresh then, the Worlds Fair introduced some of the more critical devices and overwhelming excitement to its millions of attendees. The 1900s was not the beginning of modern times but only a point in a long road of slow advancements, similar to today’s world.

In todays class we discussed the world in 1900, specifically highlighting cities, which were experiencing a population boom due to industrial developments. We discussed how social dislocation of former farmers into the German city of Essen brought on an expansion of the socialist party. Their discontent at conditions, and new educations allowed them to organize, which in turn led to an already intense upswelling of nationalistic sentiment. As a relatively new nation, Germany was looking to make up ground in terms of colonial holdings and military power. This desire at the highest levels, in addition to being influenced by a Prussian-dominant power structure, led to rampant militarism in Germany. Across the world, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, we discussed how immigration shapes national identity, as well as the identity of the individual. Argentina was a leading country in 1900, basing its structure off its European counterparts. Argentina’s immigrant culture still shapes the nation today, with many of its cultural trademarks being from different lands.

Before and during Friday’s class we had discussed what political modernity was and how it affected how we see things. The reading really focused on how bureaucracies and institutions all around the world were based off of enlightenment ideas that generally came from European philosophers.

Because of this it had really showed how when I’ve been talking about history, it’s only based and related to how Europe had done these things. It has also made me realize that as a group, we haven’t really celebrated the accomplishments of smaller, younger countries  or how major world problems have affected them.

Today in class we discussed the 20th century. The elements of each year were really interesting to me! The different views that each generation/ year brought to the table were all very different for each year. For example following the First World War people started to move away from European ideals of civilization.

Please see my blog post here:

https://lhistoire.voices.wooster.edu/2024/08/28/print-capitalism-a-double-edged-sword-of-connection-and-fragmentation/

I apologize. When I finished my post, I realized that I posted it on my Voices website and not on this one…😅

On Monday, we focused on idealizations from both the “Rise of The West” and Eurocentrism. We learned how these terms falsely display Europe as a self-built nation who has always been above everyone else (in adherence to things like capitalism, industrialization, agriculture, etc…).

More specifically, these terms seem to continuously ignore the fact that they would not be where they are today if it weren’t for the exploitation of colonized people. This belief that Europe was a self built nation fails to recognize how many other cultures and traditions are woven into European culture. For instance, the decision made by China to use silver as the monetary system. Shortly after this decision, Europe came upon large amount of silver, which they then traded for large imports of Asian goods into their country. While this appropriation can be seen in any nation or state that inhabits colonized peoples, Europe seems to outweigh them all. In all, it is important to recognize the struggles of colonized people and how those struggles shaped the European nation of today.