Middle 19 th Century Culture

1. Middle 19th Century Culture

2. Politics and Culture in The Second Reich • Bismarck, fearing internal opposition to conservative rule, moved against enemies: Catholics and Socialists. • Catholics – with the Kulturkampf program, attempted to take control of church functions away; this failed. • Socialists – the Social Democratic Party of Ferdinand Lassalle was forced underground in public life, but continued to gain in Reichstag elections.

3. Reform in Russia • After defeat in the Crimean War, Tsar Alexander II abolished serfdom in 1861. • Mir (village communes) grew in importance for establishing farming communities for former serfs. • Zemstvos (district councils) were created in 1864 to increase local control. • Revolt in Poland in 1863 and the assassination of Alexander II in 1881 kept the government in tight control.

4. Preserving the Austrian Empire • Internal national divisions and military defeats at the hands of the Italians, Prussians and French caused continued disunity in the Austrian Empire. • Under nationalist Ferencz Deak, Hungary gained autonomy. • Franz Joseph became king of Hungary in the now Austro-Hungarian Empire.

5. Popular Culture • Mass culture in Europe reached more people than ever before. • Culture took on distinctly national elements. • Museums, theatres, opera houses and historic sights opened to the public and were treated with national reverence.

6. Newspapers • By mid century, newspapers and periodicals took on great importance. • Circulation of some newspapers increased tenfold in less than a half century. • Newspapers grew in size, used new technologies (telegraph and photography) and made considerable profits on advertising and subscriptions

7. Changing Styles • Most cultural expressions of the period reflected national pride and connections to history. • Opera was the most popular artistic form as it attempted to synthesize the arts. • Richard Wagner • Giuseppe Verdi • The novel continued to grow as the main literary style. • Romanticism began to give way to realism (c. 1850-1880) in all of the arts of the period.

8. Realism – Edgar Degas The Bellelli Family

9. Realism - Jean-François Millet The Gleaners

10. Cultural Professions • Writers, artists and performers were able to make a considerable living during this period by excelling in their profession. • This was extended to academics as departments of history, economics, and the arts took shape at universities. • History had a special place in the formation and understanding of national cultures.

11. Religious Thought • In many ways, the 19th century was a very religious period. • Reaction against the Enlightenment fueled this pattern. • Strict “Victorian” morality permeated the culture. • Religious influence brought about the end of slavery and established charity organizations.

12. Cultural Impact • National cultures during the Middle 19th Century were more dynamic than ever before. • The arts were national and urban, rather than centered in courts or salons. • Mass culture allowed more writers, artists and musicians to succeed at their craft and reach a larger audience than ever before.