Governmental REFORM Programs in Europe [AP Euro Review—Unit 6 Topic 9]

Summary

In the 19th century, European governments shifted from laissez-faire policies to active intervention in response to urbanization and industrialization. Public health reforms, such as Edwin Chadwick's efforts in Britain to improve sanitation, became pivotal in combating disease. Urban planning projects like those led by George Hausmann in Paris reshaped cities for better living conditions. The rise of professional police forces, prison reforms, and the implementation of compulsory education laws marked further government involvement. These reforms, driven by social concerns and a changing economic landscape, helped shape modern European society and fostered greater public trust in government.

Takeaways

• 😀 Governments began playing a larger role in people's lives during the 19th century, shifting from a laissez-faire to an interventionist approach due to urbanization and social problems.
• 😀 Early 19th-century London faced significant public health challenges, with disease spread due to unsanitary living conditions. This led to major reforms in sanitation and public health.
• 😀 Edwin Chadwick's work on public health in Britain laid the foundation for modern sanitation systems, including sewers and clean water systems, which became popular reforms.
• 😀 Urban planning reforms, such as those led by Napoleon III and George Haussmann in Paris, transformed overcrowded cities with wide boulevards, public parks, and modern infrastructure.
• 😀 The creation of professional police forces in the mid-19th century was essential for maintaining order in industrial cities, marking a shift from local volunteers to trained officers.
• 😀 Prisons in the 19th century were reformed, with a focus on segregation by gender, education, and employment opportunities for inmates, inspired by reformers like Elizabeth Fry.
• 😀 Between 1870 and 1914, European governments passed compulsory education laws for children aged 6 to 12, aiming to maintain public order and provide education for future economic needs.
• 😀 Compulsory education laws helped foster nationalism by unifying children through a shared curriculum, language, and history, creating a more integrated society.
• 😀 Governments enacted compulsory education to prepare the next generation for the growing need for skilled labor in the Industrial Revolution's specialized economy.
• 😀 The concept of kindergarten, introduced by Friedrich Froebel in Germany, focused on early childhood education through play, and though briefly interrupted, spread to other European countries.

Q & A

What was one of the major public health problems in London during the early 19th century?

One of the major public health problems in London during the early 19th century was the lack of indoor plumbing, leading people to dispose of waste by throwing it out of windows, which contaminated the river, a primary source of drinking water.

How did Edwin Chadwick contribute to public health reforms in Britain?

Edwin Chadwick, a British reformer, contributed to public health reforms by studying the unsanitary living conditions of the poor. He found that disease spread rapidly due to these conditions and advocated for modern sanitary systems, including sewers and clean water systems, which led to Britain's first Public Health legislation.

What was the shift in government policy during the 19th century in response to urbanization and overcrowding?

During the 19th century, governments shifted from a laissez-faire policy, where they stayed out of people's affairs, to a more interventionist role. As cities became overcrowded and crime increased due to urbanization, people demanded that the government take an active role in solving social problems.

How did George Haussmann's work in Paris contribute to urban planning?

George Haussmann, under Napoleon III, transformed Paris by tearing down old, overcrowded buildings and creating wider boulevards, public parks, and improved sanitation systems. This reshaping of Paris became a model for urban planning throughout Europe.

Why did the development of professional police forces become necessary in the 19th century?

The development of professional police forces became necessary due to the extreme overcrowding in industrial cities. It was no longer feasible to maintain order with only a few local officers, so governments began hiring and training professional police forces to maintain peace and prevent crime.

What reforms were made to the prison system during the 19th century?

Reforms to the prison system in the 19th century, inspired by figures like Elizabeth Fry, included the segregation of prisoners by gender and providing inmates with opportunities for education and employment.

What were the primary reasons behind the implementation of compulsory education laws between 1870 and 1914?

Compulsory education laws were passed for three main reasons: to maintain public order by keeping children occupied, to foster nationalism by educating children in a shared language and history, and to prepare children for specialized jobs in the growing industrial economy.

How did compulsory education contribute to economic growth in Europe?

Compulsory education helped prepare children for high-paying, technical jobs required by the Second Industrial Revolution. By equipping students with necessary skills, these laws contributed to the growth of a more educated and skilled workforce.

What was the role of kindergartens in educational reform, particularly in Germany?

Kindergartens, introduced by German reformer Friedrich Froebel, were designed to educate very young children primarily through play. The concept spread across Europe, providing children with opportunities for learning through activities like building with geometric blocks.

What were the political and social impacts of the liberal reforms in the 19th century?

Liberal reforms in the 19th century, such as improvements in public health, education, and urban planning, led to a more active role of government in people's lives. These reforms gained popularity among the working class, which helped build trust in government and reduce the potential for violent class struggles.