History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett Explaining the Age of Romanticism
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Nov 11, 2025 Delve into the epic clash of romanticism and utilitarianism that shaped 19th-century Europe. The hosts explore the Congress of Vienna's conservative victory and France's tumultuous political landscape post-revolution. Examine the paradox of industrial progress alongside social degradation and Britain's pivotal policy choices during this time. Discover how key thinkers like Rousseau, Hegel, and Marx influenced political currents, the romantic ideal of life-as-art, and how rising nationalism and alliances set the stage for World War I.
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Two Competing Currents Defined The Era
- The 19th century oscillated between Romanticism and utilitarianism, shaping political and cultural trajectories into the 20th century.
- These currents produced diverse outcomes from Churchill-style liberalism to Marxism and Nazism.
Congress Of Vienna Prioritized Stability
- After Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna restored conservative monarchies and designed a stable European order led by aristocrats.
- They reintegrated France to avoid poisoning the continental balance of power.
Progress And Degradation Coexisted
- The 19th century combined social degradation with rapid technological and economic progress, producing faith in progress despite harsh realities.
- That paradox shaped political choices and later resentments.
