Industrial Revolutions & The Development of Democracy Worldwide

America and France went through revolutions, more specifically, political revolutions. While this political revolution was happening, another revolution was happening in England. This revolution was poetic. This coming of age changed English poetry to an extent to where people would not even dare to call it such. This kind of poetry was so confusing, a little gothic and very unfamiliar. This type of poetry is widely known as romanticism. Whilst this upcoming of romanticism, the British life was drastically changing due to industrialization and democracy. Industrialization and democracy in England are specific historical situations arising and much like this, poetry arises in these situations as well and connects to these historical movements. British life formed a new spirit and with the publications of William Wordsworth, he brings to light how this new spirit plugs into his poems so well. Comment by mo: Don’t forget to put in there somewhere how romantic is a British phenomenon Democracy is wide known term. A term that is universally understood as a type of government where an individual has a say. None other than England has a distinct history with the rise of their democracy.

Over the centuries, England has gone through an enormous amount of types of authority and power. All throughout this battle of power, the English government has sought out to where all social classes have a say to an extent. Before the English government saw this transformation into becoming a monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, there was a hierarchy. Much like America with their classes such as upper class, middle class, working class, etc., the English had their own social totality in the 17th century. Starting with the bottom was the mode of production. Within this category were the agrarians. This category would be the lower class, peasants, if you will. They were considered poor and typically found it hard to enjoy life while making little to nothing, trying to provide for their family. The next category just up above the agrarians were the everyday workers known as the middle class. This class was not rich, but they were not poor either.

At the very top, was the heart of democracy. This was the upper class which included the kings, church officials, nobles, etc. Not only did the government change society, but so did industrialization. Industrialization brought manufactured goods, but it also brought on harsh living conditions and little employment. The Industrial Revolution brought good fortune the middle and upper class, but as for the lower class, they were still facing challenges just like they were when facing with social totality. The wages were low, there was child labor, and little to no security in the jobs. William Woodsworth was known to be a huge Romantic poet. Romantic was a British phenomenon, but Woodsworth was a just a piece of the puzzle that launched the Romantic period in English literature.