Realism

Realism

• Main focus was in literature and art– A desire to show life as it really was

• Developed in reaction to the sentimentality of the Romantics– Emotion– Idealism

• People became concerned with the conflicts of the Industrial Revolution

Industry and Inventions• Railroads help industrialize Europe

– Transport of goods expanded and cut travel time – Connected isolate areas to the mainstream

• Eiffel Tower was built– Commemorated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution – Displayed industrial progress

• Industry Pros and Cons– Great historical advances – Middle class became rich – Working class dealt with horrible working conditions

• Women, children, and some men• Discoveries and Inventions

– Electric power– Light bulb– X-rays– Anesthesia– Aspirin– Theory of Evolution controversy– Photography

Development of Nations

• Nationalism – Belief people should share a common culture and history – Development of a cultural community

• Revolts arose among ethnic groups of existing empires – Austrian– Russian– Ottoman

• German and Italian states unified into two nations– German unification lead to dictatorship and the world wars

• Russian Empire was intact until the communist revolution of 1917

Imperialism

• Increased wealth of the imperialist nations • Wealth was found at the expense of the

colonies• Search for new raw materials to boost

economy• Europe expanded holdings in Africa and

Asia for their resources– Africa was developed into colonies– British controlled India– French, Dutch, and America divided SE Asia

Mass Production & Need for Reform

• Machines now did “hand” work• Machines were operated by workers• Products were produced faster• Middle class factory owners, merchants, and bankers

became wealthy• Standards of living increased for store owners,

accountants, factory managers, architects, office workers, and carpenters.

• The working class suffered in work and life• Laws were passed in Britain to restrict child labor• Unions were formed to improve working conditions• Free Public Education spread throughout most European

nations• More men won voting rights and, though trying, women

did not

Science

• Electricity• Telephone and Automobile• Cause of disease

– Pasteurization to kill harm bacteria in milk & food– Germ killing antiseptics in hospitals– Vaccines for diseases

• Darwin’s natural selection theory• Gregor Mendel’s pea plant experiment

– Heredity and Genes– Began the Science of Genetics

Art, Literature, & Drama• Photographs inspired artists

– Photography was believed to “kill painting”– Art began to depict real life work and home situations– Cartoons satirized politicians, businessmen, lawyers, and

other professionals– Peasants were no longer painted clean and smiling– Life-like human figures

• Literature took a look at the real lives of people– Novels showed the development of a life over time– Short stories showed brief, meaningful snapshots of life

• Drama changed drastically limiting happy endings– Brutally honest plays depicting real life issues

• Class conflicts• Women’s roles• Middle class insincerity

Political Thought

• People responded to harsh conditions

• Karl Marx– Argued greedy business owners should be

overthrown– Desired to establish justice and equality– Wanted a classless society, no private

property, and no government

Influence on Today

• Realism’s influence on film– Settings– Life portrayals of people– Real life situations displayed

• Communism as a revolutionary force – Areas of Latin America– Areas of Africa– Areas of Southeast Asia

• Further developments on Mendel’s research– Genetic research– New treatments for disease

“Enemy of the People”by Henrik Ibsen