Lecture 3:Lecture 3:The International The International System in the 19System in the 19thth

CenturyCenturyApril 2, 2010April 2, 2010

CLUE Sessions

Mondays 7-9 PM Mary Gates Hall 287

The International System, The International System, 1815-19141815-1914

Politics: Balance of power, British Politics: Balance of power, British supremacy, imperialismsupremacy, imperialism

Economy: free trade, globalization, Economy: free trade, globalization, gold standardgold standard

+ nationalism+ nationalism

Europe, 1815Europe, 1815

PoliticsPolitics Congress of Vienna(1815)Congress of Vienna(1815) Concert Concert

of Europeof Europe Conservative monarchs sought to hold Conservative monarchs sought to hold

back liberal and nationalist trendsback liberal and nationalist trends Enshrined balance of powerEnshrined balance of power Britain would “flip” to weaker sideBritain would “flip” to weaker side

British supremacyBritish supremacy IndustryIndustry NavyNavy EmpireEmpire

EconomyEconomy

Free tradeFree trade Low tariffsLow tariffs Minimal government interventionMinimal government intervention Driven by manufacturers Driven by manufacturers

Globalization Globalization People, goods, capitalPeople, goods, capital Technological advancesTechnological advances

“ “For…the middle and upper classes…For…the middle and upper classes…life offered, at a low cost and with the life offered, at a low cost and with the least trouble, conveniences, comforts least trouble, conveniences, comforts and amenities beyond the compass of and amenities beyond the compass of the richest and most powerful the richest and most powerful monarchs of other ages. The monarchs of other ages. The inhabitant of London could order by inhabitant of London could order by telephone, sipping his morning tea in telephone, sipping his morning tea in bed, the various products of the whole bed, the various products of the whole earth, in such quantity as he might see earth, in such quantity as he might see fit, and reasonably expect their early fit, and reasonably expect their early delivery upon his doorstep…He could delivery upon his doorstep…He could secure forthwith, if he wished, cheap secure forthwith, if he wished, cheap and comfortable means of transit to and comfortable means of transit to any country or climate without any country or climate without passport or other formality."passport or other formality."

-John Maynard Keynes, 1920-John Maynard Keynes, 1920

EconomyEconomy

Free tradeFree trade Low tariffsLow tariffs Low government interventionLow government intervention Driven by manufacturers Driven by manufacturers

Globalization Globalization People, goods, capitalPeople, goods, capital Technological advancesTechnological advances

Gold Standard Gold Standard

NationalismNationalism

The belief that one’s nation should The belief that one’s nation should have its own statehave its own state

Nation: a group with common Nation: a group with common identity based on language, culture, identity based on language, culture, history, myths, valueshistory, myths, values

In 19In 19thth century, began to break up century, began to break up empiresempires

Ethnic Composition of Austria-Hungary, 1910

Ethnicity PercentageGerman 24Hungarian 20Czech 13Polish 10Ruthenian [incl. Ukrainian] 8Romanian 6Croat 5Slovak 4Serb 4Slovene 3Italian 3

And then came war..And then came war..

The 19The 19thth century system century system

1815-19141815-1914

R.I.P.R.I.P.