The enlightenment era was an age of reasoning that was preceded by the Scientific Revolution. Historians concur that this period unfolded during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Prominent among enlightenment ideas were thoughts of progress, individual liberty, and equality. Others are religious tolerance, universal education, human rights, and the separation of state and church. This assignment purposes of discussing the impacts of these ideas in Europe leading up to the First World War.

The enlightenment period generated many political revolutions in Europe(Mason 2011). The French Revolution is a major uprising that was founded on enlightenment concepts of equality, liberty, and solidarity (Mason 2011). The middle class violently opposed the absolute and divine right of ruling monarchs and championed for a representative and constitutional government based on reason and equality. The upcoming middle class, otherwise called the bourgeoisie, fashioned by economic growth and urbanization sought more significant influence in political and economic spheres. They aimed at attaining representative institutions, religious freedom, and legal equality. Financial difficulties, political discontent, social dissatisfaction, increased living costs, and famine fueled resentment among the entire French population. This elastic collisions and dissatisfaction caused the upheaval.

Reny Miklos and Shirley Elson provide a comprehensive history of the emergence of contemporary Europe. These authors provide information the effect of enlightenment thoughts on the development of modern Europe. Prominent among the issues are the impacts of the Industrial Revolution, the rise and fall of Napoleon, and the ideology of nationalism. Mason 2011 also discusses the Industrial Revolution as an impact of the enlightenment era. The revolution wasaugmented by the availability of coal, high literacy rates, and political stability.

The revolution commenced in Britain and spread all over the region. It opened the continent to the whole world.  This development also led to advancements in science and technology, and military superiority, which facilitated penetration and spread of societal forces such as nationalism.  The Industrial Revolution was characterized by the mechanization of production that permitted a tremendous growth in economic productivity. Consequently, living conditions in society improved and steadily varied.

The advancements in society related to the industrial revolution paved the way for the emergence of strong societal philosophies that shaped Europe.The enlightenment ideas led to the development of political ideologies such as nationalism, capitalism, Marxism, andsocialism (Mason 2011). Nationalism was particularly important since it facilitated the creation of rivalry between the emerging modern states. The nation-state principle of this political ideology necessitated nations to combat for regional hegemony and protection of state territories.This competition enabled European powers to acquire global imperial power and spread their territories over continents such as Asia and Africa between 1870 and 1919(Elson & Miklos 2003). They consistently scrambled for the partition of Africa in the wave of colonialism.

Nationalism was also crucial in the development of modern Europe since it sparked substantial needs for the political independence of newly formed nation-states(Elson & Miklos 2003). As a result, the nationalities within Europe engaged continuously in a rivalry that triggeredthe intensive and catastrophic First World War in 1914. The aftermath of this great combat significantly transformed Europe by initiating pathways to stability and security.

Capitalism emanated from the effects of the industrial revolution. This philosophy refers to a political and economic system where ownership of production means is private. During the era of capitalism, the working class (Proletariat)was concentrated in urban areas in factories that had oppressive working conditions (Mason 2011). Contrariwise, the bourgeoisie enjoyed and owned the factors of production as well as the profits generated from operations of trade. The highly competitive nature of capitalism created further sufferings of masses. Consequently, the proletariats violently and unitedly opposed this as they sought equal and collective ownership of production means together with the resulting profits.

The ideologies of Marxism and socialism embraced a classless society in which the factors of production are owned by all individuals in the society(Mason 2011).Public ownership of property would support equality and liberty in society.A capitalism free state would promote human rights and enhance the human condition. Other political ideologies included liberal and social democracy. They supported constitutionalism in government, which advocated for liberty, individuality, and respect for human rights.

Imperialism is another product of the enlightenment concept(Wilhelm 1901).Abelligerent expansionist policy was launched by European powers in the late 19^th century(Elson & Miklos 2003). States such as German believed that acquiring more influence in different regions provided them with higher productivity and stability. In this piece of information, advances and strength in trade, agriculture, and industry are sought after with territorial expansions. Kaiser states that Germany’s future would be reliant on the spread over the waters indicating the exploration of other regions such as Africa.

In Europe, states competitively struggled to gain greater influence and control of foreign lands. In the African continent, this historicalevent is termed the scramble, struggle, and partition of Africa. They endeavored to advance their imperial and territorial power, commerce, and trade while aiming at securing the future of their descendants. Even though imperialism broughtsufferings to the colonies, it was a brainchild of the age of reasoning, in which nations desired progress and supremacy.Imperialism was necessary for the advancement of Europe since it developed commerce, trade, and economic systems of this region. The economic prowess further facilitated their progress.

Individual liberty is demonstrated in the Secret Memorandum to Alexander Ias an impact of enlightenment(Metternich n.d.). The society is said to have grown more liberal with more significant degree of political, cultural and religious freedoms. Man has the capacity to determine his own beliefs and judge his own actions according to his morality. The emancipated society in Germany has more governance power leading to greater accessibility to legislation, administration, religion, politics, and economy. Thus, the absolute power of monarchs was abolished due to the enlightenment of the masses. They were able to attain individuality and freedom because of their maturity and ability to reason.

The age of enlightenment culminated into the war between European nations(World War I Archives 1917). This combat was the First World War in which allied powers (Russia, Britain, US, and others) fought against central powers mainly Germany. Allied powers emerged victoriously. A rivalry between the great powers caused the war that later shaped global political, social and economic landscapes. The abdication of Nicholas II is an exhibition of the commitment of the Russian Empire in this combat. He directs his people towards the welfare, victory, and gloryof the empire. They later emerged winners in a humiliating win against Germany.

The Munich agreement represents a peaceful resolution of a potential war orchestrated by expansionist quests of a totalitarian Germany(Yale Law School n.d.). Adolf Hitler presented only two options in his last quest of territorial claim in Europe.The outcome was either conciliation or war. The aforementioned gained permission to extend its territory into another state (Czechoslovakia). Sudeten Germany was thus peacefully acquired and part of Nazi Germany.This act meant peaceful times between the four great powers of Europe. The unity towards interterritorial peace demonstrated an enlightened people whose actions were based on reason.

In the order given to Reinhard Heydrich, Nazi Germany continues to highlight the theme of war as a result of the Enlightenment period thinking(History Place n.d.).  The order outlines the compulsion towards the final solution of the Jewish Question.Hermann Goring charges Heydrich with the duty of administrative and financial planning needed to evacuate and emigrate Jews from Germany occupied territories.  This impact was so grave that it led to the Holocaust, in which about 6 million Jews were exterminated in the event of the Second World War.

Reinhard Heydrich was also tasked with the classification of concentration camps that were much used during the Second World War(GHDI n.d.). These camps were employed to detain criminals, racial enemies, political opponents, and prisoners of war. Three categories of the concentration camps were generated.  The classification of these camps adversely got employed to annihilate enemies of the race. More particularly, the Jews.

The pursuit for individual liberty, respect for human rights and disapproval of racial ideologies facilitated mounting of resistance to the government of Nazi Germany. This courage is a demonstration of enlightenment of the resisting populations. About 3000 pastors of the Confessing Church during Nazi’s regime, were discontented with Hitler’s racial ideology(Noakes n.d.). It was incompatible with the dogmas of Christianity. Consequently, they called Germany people to act with civil courage and resist the doctrines of Nazi Germany. One suchindividual is Pastor Dietrich, who called residents to responsible action in response to God’s calling. Such action would protect the Germans from unmerited suffering.

Other enlightened individuals who resisted Hitler’s power were youths such as Sophie Scholl and Hans(Inge n.d.). They were members of the White Rose, a Munich student group that was in active resistance to Hitler’s dictatorship.They believed that Hitler would never win the warfare. They also advocated for a federal system of government unlike the centralized hegemony of the Nazi government.Freedom of religion, speech, and anti-violence regimes was the basis of their resistance.

In conclusion, the enlightenment era emphasized concepts of equality, human rights, and individual liberty. Its impacts included economic revolutions, political uprisings, philosophies, and wars.These culminated into a restructuring of society leading to the emergence ofModern Europe.

Bibliography

Elson & Miklos. 2003. Europe 1715-1919: From Enlightenment to World War – Shirley Elson Roessler and Reny Miklos. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

GHDI. n.d. “Letter from the Head of the Security Police and the SD, Reinhard Heydrich, On the Classification of Concentration Camps (January 2, 1941).” Nazi Germany, 1933-1945.: German History in Documents and Images, Volume 7.

History Place. n.d. The Final Solution: Order from Hermann Goring to Reinhard Heydrich, July 31 1941. Accessed 2019. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/order1.htm.

Inge, S. n.d. “The Fifth Broadsheet of the “White Rose” (January 1943).” Nazi Germany , 1933-1945: German History in Documents and Images, Volume 7.

Mason, S.D. 2011. A Concise History of Modern Europe: Liberty, Equality,Solidarity. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Metternich, K.V. n.d. Secret Memorandum to Czar Alexander I 1820. Accessed Jan 2019. http://history.furman.edu/benson/hst11/show/metternich2alex.htm.

Noakes, J. n.d. “Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Who Can Resist Temptation? (Decemeber 1942).” Nazi Germany, 1933-1945: German History in Documents and Images, Volume 7.

Wilhelm, K. 1901. A Place in the Sun ( Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany: Speech to the North German Regatta Association, 1901.). Modern History Sourcebook.

World War I Archives. 1917. The Abdication of Nicholas II. March 15. Accessed Jan 2019. http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/The_Abdication_of_Nicholas_II.

Yale Law School. n.d. Munich Pact September 29, 1938. Accessed Jan 2019. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/munich1.asp.

 
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