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The Age of Social Change:
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The Age of Social Change:
The French Revolution opened up the possibility of
creating a dramatic change in the way in which society was structured. In many parts of
the world including Europe and Asia, new ideas about individual rights and who
controlled social power began to be discussed. In India, Raja Rammohan Roy and
Derozio talked of the significance of the French Revolution, and many others
debated the ideas of post-revolutionary Europe. The developments in the
colonies, in turn, reshaped these ideas of societal change.
Not everyone in Europe, however, wanted a complete
transformation of society. Responses varied from those who accepted that some
change was necessary but wished for a gradual shift, to those who wanted to
restructure society radically. Some were 'conservatives', others were 'liberals' or 'radicals' What did these terms really mean in the context of
the time? What separated these strands of politics and what linked them
together? We must remember that these terms do not mean the same thing in all
contexts or at all times.
Liberals,
Radicals and Conservatives:
One of the groups which looked to change society
were the liberals. Liberals wanted a nation which tolerated all religions. We should
remember that at this time European states usually discriminated in favour of
one religion or another (Britain favoured the Church of England, Austria and
Spain favoured the Catholic Church). Liberals also opposed the uncontrolled
power of dynastic rulers. They wanted to safeguard the rights of individuals
against governments. They argued for a representative, elected parliamentary
government, subject to laws interpreted by a well-trained judiciary that was
independent of rulers and officials. However, they were not ‘democrats’. They
did not believe in universal adult franchise, that is, the right of every
citizen to vote. They felt men of property mainly should have the vote. They
also did not want the vote for women.
In contrast, radicals wanted a nation in which
government was based on the majority of a country’s population. Many supported
women’s suffragette (A movement to give women the right to vote)
movements. Unlike liberals, they opposed the privileges of great landowners and
wealthy factory owners. They were not against the existence of private property
but disliked concentration of property in the hands of a few.
Conservatives were opposed to radicals and liberals.
After the French Revolution, however, even conservatives had opened their minds
to the need for change. Earlier, in the eighteenth century, conservatives had
been generally opposed to the idea of change. By the nineteenth century, they
accepted that some change was inevitable but believed that the past had to be
respected and change had to be brought about through a slow process.
Industrial Society and Social Change:
Industrialisation brought men, women and children to
factories. Work hours were often long and wages were poor. Unemployment was common,
particularly during times of low demand for industrial goods. Housing and
sanitation were problems since towns were growing rapidly. Liberals and
radicals searched for solutions to these issues.
Almost all industries were the property of
individuals. Liberals and radicals themselves were often property owners and
employers. Having made their wealth through trade or industrial ventures, they felt
that such effort should be encouraged, that its benefits would be achieved if
the workforce in the economy was healthy and citizens were educated. Opposed to
the privileges the old aristocracy had by birth, they firmly believed in the
value of individual effort, labour and enterprise. If freedom of individuals
was ensured, if the poor could labour, and those with capital could operate
without restraint, they believed that societies would develop. Many working men
and women who wanted changes in the world rallied around liberal and radical
groups and parties in the early nineteenth century.
Some nationalists, liberals and radicals wanted
revolutions to put an end to the kind of governments established in Europe in
1815. In France, Italy, Germany and Russia, they became revolutionaries and worked
to overthrow existing monarchs. Nationalists talked of revolutions that would
create ‘nations’ where all citizens would have equal rights.
After 1815,
Giuseppe Mazzini, an Italian nationalist, conspired with others to achieve this
in Italy. Nationalists elsewhere . including India read his writings.
Condition of Poor in London in 19th century by Henry Mayhew:
Condition of Poor in London in 19th century by Henry Mayhew:
