A Thematic Study of Nineteenth Century Britain
Topic outline
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The 18th and 19th centuries were critical in
the shaping of contemporary Britain. The course looks into those transformations
that were brought about by the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions, and the
political and social upheavals and reforms of the 19th century. The course also
tackles the rise and expansion of the British Empire and the ideologies behind
what historian John Darwin calls the "British World-System." Subject: Civilization (Etude de textes de civilisation)
Level: 3rd year (Licence) students
Lecturer: Salim KERBOUA, Maitre de Conférences A-
ForumTo 3rd year students who take my class,
By the end of the course, you should have acquired some basic knowledge on the main social, economic, political transformations (Contexts) of 19th century Britain. You should have been introduced to some primary and secondary sources (Texts) on the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions, their impact on British society and politics during the nineteenth century. You should also have acquired knowledge on the rise and characteristics of Britain as an imperial superpower. You should be able to identify the main ideas and significance of a historical document and situate its importance in a specific historical, social, or political context. -
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To be able to grasp the course and move further in their understanding of the different lectures and their corresponding tutorials (readings and class discussion), the students should be equipped with some basic knowledge on the evolution of English society and its main constituting transformations from the Middle Ages to the Seventeenth Century (knowledge acquired in L.2). In that sense, students who hope to successfully grasp lectures and develop intellectual and linguistic skills in the course, should have acquired basic knowledge on
- Feudalism and the feudal system in medieval England https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-herkimer-westerncivilization/chapter/feudalism/
- the English Religious Reformation
- the Elizabethan Age
- the English Civil War and the enduring conflict between the Stuarts and Parliament
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The course consists of lectures in the form of powerpoint presentations, maps, timelines, mindmaps, short videos. The course also suggests some historical documents (excerpts, letters, ads, ...) to be read and discussed during the TDs. Short tests and suggested final evaluation are also provided. This online course aims at supporting the in-class lectures and tutorials.
Course Plan
- The Decay of the Royal Prerogatives
- The Agricultural Revolution
- The Industrial Revolution (I and II)
- Social Consequences(I and II)
- Political Demands and Reforms
- The Rise of the British Empire -
References
Allen, Robert C. The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2012.
Darwin, John. The Empire Project The Rise and Fall of the British World-System, 1830–1970, Cambridge U P, 2009
_____________. Unfinished Empire: The Global Expansion of Britain, Bloomsbury Press, 2013.More, Charles. Understanding the Industrial Revolution. London: Routledge, 2000.Online References- Overton, Mark. “Agricultural Revolution in England 1500 – 1850.” (17.02.2011). https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/agricultural_revolution_01.shtml- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-worldhistory/chapter/the-agricultural-revolution
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To understand the political transformations that occured in nineteenth century Britain (parliamentary reforms), an overview of how the monarchy lost its political prerogatives is necessary. This first lecture is a transition between what was studied in L.2 and what is going to be tackled in L.3.
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In contemporary Britain, the monarch reigns but does not rule. How has the British monarchy gradually lost most of its political prerogatives? Here is a historical overview.
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Documents to read and prepare for class discussion:
- The Bill of Rights (1689)
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From the Provisions of Oxford to the creation of Parliament, the struggle between the King and the Barons over political prerogatives continues.
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Quiz
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Questions to consider:
- What was the Agricultural Revolution?
- What were the major social, economic, and geographic transformations that were brought about by the Agricultural Revolution?
- How did the labour system change during the Agricultural Revolution?
- What were the effects of Enclosures on employment and human geography?
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Four short documents. The students have to prepare the documents for class discussion They have
to read and grasp the main ideas of the documents.
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Quiz
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Questions to consider:
- Why did it start in Britain?
- What were the major transformations that were brought about by the Industrial Revolution?
- How did the manufacturing system change (Domestic Vs Factory systems of production)?
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Quiz
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Inventions and technical innovations
Transformations and advances in the different sectors: Transportations, industry, mining, ...
Consequences on economy and society (the social cost)
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powerpoint presentation
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Documents:
- Luddism
- Child Labour in Factories
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Documents on the Corn Laws and the Anti-Corn Law League
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Questions to consider:
What major political achievements were made by the British people in the 19th century?
What were the major parliamentary reforms?
What was the Chartist Movement and what were its demands?
How did the franchise extend?
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Rotten Boroughs, the Extension of the franchise, the Reform Act of 1832, Chartism, and other Parliamentary reforms (documents for class discussion)
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How can we define British Imperialism of the 18-19th Centuries? How did it develop? On which ideology did it rest? Here is a short introduction and overview.
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Two documents providing racial and ideological justifications for British Imperialism
- Benjamin Kidd's The Control of the Tropics (1898)
- Joseph Chamberlain's "The True Conception of Empire" (1897)
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