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Industrial Revolution
Beginning in the mid 18th century and extending well into the 19th century, European society began to industrialize and shift from an rural lifestyle to an urban one. Technological innovations brought better transportation, widespread communication, and efficient machines. -
Period: to
Romantic Era
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American Revolution
The American Revolution engendered tensions between Europe and America. It sparked some degree of patriotism in both nations, which helped inspire nationalist art and literature. -
French Revolution
The French Revolution, occurring in the late 18th century, completely transformed French society as well as traditional European values. Many traditional ideas, such as Feudalism, were overthrown.The Revolution encouraged individuals to express their thoughts freely, resulting in a littany of new artists and writers. -
Storming of Bastille
Citizens raided and destroyed the prison of Bastille. This symbolized the overthrow of tyranny and governmental oppression. Inspired revolutionary literature as well as emerging Gothic literature. -
Reign of Terror
Period during the French revolution in which government officials attacked potential conspirators of reform. -
Lyrical Ballads
This work by Coleridge and Wordsworth is a landmark for Romantic literature. It contained the framework for many themes and values that would appear throughout the era. -
Napoleonic Wars
This was a movement to overthrow Napoleon as the French emporer. As Napoleon wages war against Europe, people turn to the comforts of the period: literature, poetry, and art. With France's defeat, Europe has been freed from the rule of a despot, encouraging the expansion of liberalism, and the freedom of the individual, as well as greater world travel These wars gave way to many writers and artists, such as Keats, Wordsworth, Byron, Coleridge, etc. -
Congress of Vienna
A meeting of all of the major powers of Europe, in which the borders of Europe were redrawn after the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars. The redistribution of kingdoms, as a result of the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, and the aforementioned wars, generated feelings of nationalism as well as the emphasis placed on the character of individual nations. -
1832 Reform Act
This series of laws aimed to suppress any sedition that may cause potential rebellion in England. However, this included censorship of publications to limit radical ideas. The Act, therefore, confined poets and artists, leading to the decline of the Romantic Era. -
Queen Victoria Takes the Throne
The ascension of Queen Victoria is often seen as the end of Romanticism. With England falling back under order and major contributors, such as Keats and Lord Byron, passing away, Romanticism begins to fade but leaves a lasting impression on poetry, literature, and art.
