Historical Influences on Britain and William Blake
"The sun never sets on the British Empire"
Dark red- Dominions
Red- British Raj Pink- Colonies Maroon- Mandates
The British Empire was comprised of dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and territories that were formed from trading posts and colonies in the 16th and 17th century. At its peak it was the largest empire covering 13,000,000 miles and populating 458 million people by 1922. Great Britain was established on May 1st,1707. It was created through the merger of the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England through the "Act of Union." The kingdom of Great Britain later became known as the United Kingdom after the final merger with the Kingdom of Ireland on July 1st, 1801. Today, the United Kingdom consists of four countries Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Whales. The country operates using a constitutional monarchy and unitary state that is governed by a parliamentary system with the head of government located in London, England. Christianity is the dominate faith and most practiced. In the early 1700s, religion was a vital part of society; men and women were forced to attend the Church of England. The Church of England is considered to be the official Christian, Mother church, of the Anglican Communion, and is the oldest out of the thirty-eight national churches. The church acknowledges both Catholic and Reformed.
Before the industrial revolution, many places throughout Britain, and the capitol London, were poverty stricken. Sewage lay on the sides of streets, disease and infestation of rats seemed like a futile ending. But in the turn of the18th century, late 18th century, England's old way of life would be changed through the process of Enlightenment and the Industrial revolution. New types of machinery would allow for more productivity, more employment, changed social status, a wealthier country, and a better way of life. The coal mining business would explode, offering many new, but dangerous jobs. New forms of technology were created; including the steam engine, created by Thomas Newcomen; which later inspired James Watt who later created a more sufficient one. Abraham Darby used Coke instead of coal as a fuel source to create iron. The development of the railroad system was created; and improvements in the textile came through James Hargreaves "Jenny," which spun dozens of threads of wool and cotton and eliminated the long tedious process by hand. These social and industrial changes would inspire an artistic, pedantical movement called the Romantic Era. The Romantic Era inspired many poets and artists, one prominent name William Blake.
"American Revolution"
The American Revolution began in 1775 and ended in 1783. It was known as Americas War of Independence. It was a battle to free the thirteen British colonies known today as Maine, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island from the British Empire. Each colony had established its own provincial government, out casting the authority of the British Parliament. Leaders such as George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, who later became the first president of the United States, fought in the Battle of Germantown and many others; Nathanael Greene, private of a militia fought in the Battle of Fort Washington and others; Horatio Lloyd gates, former British soldier who became an American General fought in the Battle of Saratoga. Along with the help of France, who provided weapons, ammunition, and supplies, this lead to free United States of America in 1783.
"French Revolution"
The French Revolution started in 1787 and ended in 1799. It was a rising movement and execution against King Louie XVI, his wife Marie Antoinette, and the aristocratic way of life. It was a time when reason would face tradition; people wold no longer trust the words of nobles, but would search fro answers and reasoning amongst themselves. It was known as the Enlightenment. It would also be the fall of the Catholic Church and the calendar.
France was broken up into three group, the first estate was the Clergy; second, the Nobility, and lastly the peasants or commons. The desire for equality could be seen through the inspiration of the American Revolution. As the country of France was becoming bankrupt by aiding America form Great Britain, its people were starving and being forced to pay more taxes. Deregulation, along with the poor climate conditions caused prices of flour to skyrocket. This was a huge problem for society since bread was the major source of food. This prompted riots, fights and casualties throughout France. it was said that one loaf of bread was the equivalent of one months earnings. Maximilien Robespierre, well known lawyer and politician, was responsible for writing a letter of complaints to the Royal Court, asking for equality and liberty. He asked king king Louie to increase the tax's on the nobles to ease pressure on common folk. King Louie appointed Jacques Necker, a popular minister, to head the finances of France. Necker ask Louie to call a meeting of the Traditional Body, the "Estates General" to find answers to the growing problems within the country. May 4th, 1789, to much surprise, there was no answer, for Pierre and his deputies were locked out of the meeting.
On June 20th, Pierre and the deputies declared themselves a new National Assembly that took place in a court outside; latter know as "The Tennis Court Oath." The king became weary of this new movement and ordered 30,000 troops to overthrow this new movement in Paris.
July 14, 1789, the prison known as Bastille was taken over by the revolutionists and destroyed as a way to gain access to the element of gun powder. They had weapons but not the elements to use them. The concurring of the prison enforced the belief that they had a chance to win the revolution and achieve a new Democracy. The flag known as the Tricolour was created. Shortly after seizure of Bastille, The "Declaration of Rights of Man" was created and enacted. And in this document it speaks of all men, not the king or women, being equal.
Freedom of press came forth which inspired people all over France. It was written by a former doctor named Jean-Paul Marat. His words primarily spoke of killing anyone who apposed the new government. This revolution prompted many other revolts. The Woman's March on Versailles began in October 1789; this movement would end up killing the royal families guards and forcing the king and Queen Paris, where they would be hostage until their deaths. It was said that as many as 7,000 armed women lead the attack. Lack of food, unanswered questions, and the king and Queens extravagant lifestyles of wasting food and spending money on riches prompted the attack.
The revolution would not only change equality and laws among the people, it would inspire new forms of death, death by the thousands. Joseph Ignace Guillotin was the creator of the guillotine, the most popular method of execution during the revolution. In 1794, "The Great Terror" was born. It was estimated that 800 people died a month. The Secret Police acted as informants and executioners during the Great Terror; arresting anyone who spoke with uncertainty of the new found government. In the end, this revolution lead to the deaths of the most prominent members of the revolution; Robespierre and Danton would both be executed by the guillotine. Marat, the voice of the paper, would be silenced being stabbed in his bath tub by Charlotte Corday. She too, would meet the guillotine and left Marat's death as a legacy.