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The Industrial Revolution And The Age Of Revolution

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The Age of Revolution, as defined by professor Jones, “is characterized by a general attitude that change could bring about improvements in all areas of people's lives…” (text). What was unique about this attitude was that it came from the everyday people and not just the rulers—it was the opposite of “big man history”. Therefore, in terms of the Age, a revolution can be understood as the active and rapid act of capturing of this “improvement of life” by the common people. Under this framework it can be understood that there were several revolutions throughout the Age of Revolution, which all contributed to and were a result of the Age’s burgeoning view. Two such revolutions essential to the Age were the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. These two provide the most abundant resources to understand the Age in that they both are revolutions powered by the everyday people.
The French Revolution was a turning point for Europe from which there was no return. It set the mold for revolutions of the Age and showed just how deeply ingrained and powerful the ideals of the Age could be in the Western World. The French Revolution finds its causes in the now cliched concept that when the masses are displeased, the king is in trouble. However it is crucial to understand that the French Revolution established this cliche for the West. The simplest way to chart out the atmosphere of France at the time, a look at the PICSET categories of France offers the clearest depiction.
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