Western Development - Change over Time Essay

Intellect was one of the many things that changed in the West, and was especially important in the period between 1750 and 1914. It was in 1859, that up until then, everyone thought everything existed because of God. But Charles Darwin disproved that with his theories and evidence in his book Origin of Species. It changed the way people looked at the world and how it worked. Then, Louis Pasteur discovered germs, which was an amazing cut-point in intellect and general welfare. Because he discovered germs, hygiene was improved and people experienced longer lifespans and better health. Populations increased in mere decades, and less than 33% of children didn't make it past the age of 10. Education came compulsory in the 1870s, spreading across the West, and more children became more intelligent, receiving schooling up to the age of 12, which stimulated a thirst for more knowledge, thus giving families the ability to receive new information in how to improve their lifestyle. Then, after 1900, Albert Einstein came up with the Theory of Relativity, which made time a factor when experimenting and learning things, when before it was not accounted for and could make such experiments inaccurate.
Economy was another thing that experienced revolution during that time period. In fact, the start of the time period was marked with the Industrial Revolution, which completely changed how people worked and the types of jobs they have, and the invention of the steam engine and railways, which greatly improved the way people traveled - not only was it faster, but it could hold more passengers more efficiently. This industrialization spread to the U.S. in the 1820s. Then in the 1900s, a major cut-point was the Mass Leisure Culture change - suddenly leisure was a very attainable part of life, for people with poor or normal lives - you didn't need to be rich and living in the good life to have pleasure and fun. This was stimulated when everyone gained a certain equality with each other, and the change of government from the aristocracy to a nationalistic type of government. With huge stadiums and teams to support, the Mass Leisure Culture gave people something to have in common with each other and enjoy at the same time.
In Politics, a major factor in this time period, experienced serious changes. In 1789 through 1799, there was the French Revolution, a major cut-point in Industrial history. With the idea that people are equal and that they have the right to have power and influence over the government, the French public fought for their right to be part of decisions for their country. This inspired nationalism, the pride of being part of this or that country, with started with the first national anthem and a motivation to be involved in the country's government. Then another cut-point in political history is the rise of democratic suffrage in the U.S., during 1810 through 1826. Going back to the Constitution, people wanted the right to vote, and with nationalism flowing in from Europe, the feelings of voting rights became stronger as their pride for their country did too. In England, its major cut-point was the Reform Bill of 1832, which was the parlimentary vote to middle class men. This led to a strong government with firm laws that people could understand and follow, especially when its them who are voting for them. Because the laws are no longer being decided by old men who are seperate from the general public, the laws more easily apply to them and benefit them. From 1870 to 1879, France established the Institution of the French Third Public, which strengthened the government. From 1864 through 1871, Germany experienced a unification that made them a whole country, with the help of some nationalism. The same went to Italy, several years before during 1859 to 1870 when they experienced their own unification.
However, despite all that has changed, the desire for a stable government never changed. In fact, this was a basis for many of the revolutions in the countries. People do not want to live in a country where everything can fall down on them and through them into chaos and poverty.