Progressive Reforms Atomic Theory Atomic theory the idea

Progressive Reforms

Atomic Theory • Atomic theory: the idea that all matter is made up of discrete units called atoms • Although the idea had been around since Classical Greece, English physicist John Dalton first developed a modern atomic theory around 1800 • Atomic theory led to the creation of the modern periodic table of elements by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869

Geology • Geology is the study of the Earth • Geologists, using scientific dating methods, discovered that the Earth was at least 2 billion years old (today, geologists say it is closer to 4. 5 billion) • This caused an uproar because it contradicts the Bible, (which sets the date of the Earth’s creation as 4004 BC) thereby upsetting religious fundamentalists

Paleontology • Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life, primarily through fossilized remains • Archaeologists and paleontologists made some unsettling discoveries – the fossilized remains of Neanderthal Man and dinosaurs – creatures not accounted for in the Bible • Biblical scholars countered that these creatures either died in the Great Flood or never really existed at all (as in, they were “false” records left by Satan)

Theory of Evolution • Naturalist Charles Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species (1859) and The Descent of Man (1871) • Argued that all forms of life, including humans, had evolved from previous life forms • Proposed that evolution comes about due to “natural selection” or “survival of the fittest” – those best suited to survive long enough to reproduce and pass on their traits to offspring, while the “unfit” die young without reproducing

Response to Darwin • Darwin was strongly opposed by Christian groups because his theory meant that man had evolved over millions of years rather than be created by God in a single day • The evolution debate would open a new rift between science and religion that would carry over well into the twentieth century

Social Darwinism • Some people adapted Darwin’s idea of natural selection to fit their beliefs about society – strong nations were the “fittest” and had a natural right to make war on weaker nations • led to many bloody wars and to imperialism – Large corporations were the “fittest” and had a natural right to run smaller, weaker companies out of business • led to dangerous monopolies – White European culture was the “fittest” and was naturally superior to all other races and nationalities • Led to racism and encouraged imperialism

Social Changes • The Industrial Revolution ended the age of “nobles and peasants” in the West • The new upper class was now made up of wealthy industrialists and businessmen • Growing middle-class was composed of doctors, lawyers, teachers, and “white collar” office workers • The lower class was primarily “blue collar” factory workers, construction workers, and farmers

British Democracy • In 1815: less than 5% of British citizens could vote – had to be a white adult Anglican male who owned land • Additionally, the House of Lords (the nobility) could veto any bill passed by the House of Commons

Voting Reforms • 1820 s: Catholics and non. Anglican Protestants were extended the vote • The Great Reform Act of 1832: – allowed any man who owned property to vote – redistributed seats in the House of Commons to more populated areas (away from rural villages and towards industrial towns and cities)

Chartist Movement • Landless workers demanded changes: – Wanted all men to be able to vote – Wanted annual elections – Wanted voting to be by secret ballot • After petitioning Parliament 3 times with no success, the Chartist movement faded

Further Voting Reforms • 1860 s: Two new political parties emerged – Conservatives (led by Benjamin Disraeli) and Liberals (led by William Gladstone) • 1867: Reform bill pushed through by Disraeli extended the vote to many factory workers • 1880 s: Gladstone pushed through voting rights for farm workers • 1911: House of Commons removed House of Lords right to veto laws

The Victorian Age • Queen Victoria (1837 -1901) • Longest reigning monarch in British history • Her reign was marked by a strict morality: – People were driven by a sense of duty, thrift, honesty, & hard-work – Good manners and respectability were extremely important – Many began to believe in social reform as being the “proper” thing to do

Middle Class Values • Parents very strict in raising their children – the “seen and not heard” philosophy • Marriages were no longer arranged, but one was expected to choose a socially acceptable mate, subject to parental approval (and no “dating” took place without an adult chaperone present) • Wives were expected to stay at home and manage the household, raise the children, and obey their husbands

Ending Slavery • Many Christian groups had pushed for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire • In 1833, thanks largely to the efforts of William Wilberforce, who had campaigned for abolition for nearly half a century, Parliament finally banned slavery in all British colonies

Limiting Capital Punishment • In the early 1800 s, over 200 crimes were punishable by death, including petty theft • By 1850, Parliament had reduced that number to four: murder, piracy, treason, and arson • Instead of death, many criminals were punished by being banished to penal colonies in Australia and New Zealand (newly discovered by Capt. James Cook in 1770) • In 1868, Parliament ended public executions and outlawed imprisonment for debt

Labor Reforms • Improvements in working conditions – laws against child labor – laws set minimum wage, maximum hours – more safety requirements in factories and mines • Unions came into existence (but strikes were still illegal) • Improvements in housing, education, and benefits

Women as Activists • Women began to fight for suffrage, legalized divorce, and economic freedom for themselves • Many campaigned for temperance (a ban on alcohol) • Many had worked to bring an end to slavery

Women’s Suffrage • Women tried for years to win the right to vote through protesting and public demonstrations • When this failed, they turned to violence, hunger strikes, and other high-risk behaviors • In 1918, Parliament finally allowed women over 30 to vote