British Culture During the Long 19th Century (1780-1914) - Essay Example

The Formation of the British Culture during the Long 19th Century (1780-1914) The long 19th century is one that involves a myriad of global momentous events that is seen as the long period of transition into modernity.1 Whether in the political arena, in social reform or in the area of technological advancements, British culture was inexorably influenced by the happenings during the long 19th century. “The history of Europe in the last two hundred years is that of the extension and contraction of political power in the world, of the creation and redistribution of a global economic network, of cultural supremacy and cultural relativism.”2 With the major nations in Europe forming what can only be called as “the center of a world system,” significant events such as the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution permanently altered European history and culture that led to the abolition of the old agrarian order toward the establishment of the capitalist and individualist modern society.3 Even though it cannot be denied that a general European culture exists during the long 19th century through the emergence of Eurocentrism hailed as the “Age of European Predominance,” a unique British culture still emerged that is vastly different from the other major European states due to specialization and the inherent differences between European cultures.4 Although many have contributed to the formation of a distinctive British culture—one that can only be characterized by bold self-assuredness and arrogance and an over-emphasis on aesthetics, albeit surrounded by the struggle of the working class— during the 19th century, the two most significant factors are the Industrial Revolution resulting to the creation of a consumerist society and the emergence of prosperous Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria, due in large part to the success of the British Empire. This paper will argue this point through the explication of reliable texts concerning the various cultural aspects of Victorian England and the British Empire that show how a prevalent British culture was created that dominated Great Britain during that time. A brief discussion of European historical events will also be discussed in order to show the linear progression of the formation of the British culture during 19th century Great Britain. European Culture during the Long 19th Century Indeed, it was a long 19th century of changes that revolutionized European society, politics, economics and culture, with the major European states commanding power each in her own individual ways. Germany, Russia, France, Austria and Great Britain formed the five major players in the European state, with their international behaviors being governed and regulated by the concept of the European Balance of Power, which aims to maintain the balance of power in order to prevent another Napoleon from happening again.5 In this regard, the dominance of Britain among the other nations as a guardian of the European Balance of Power is seen as “the one power most capable of shifting its weight around, of moving from one side of the diplomatic scale to the other, whenever politics seemed to tip precariously.”6 This is a prime example of how British culture is different from that of the other European powers as although she is also engaged in empire-building, she understands her role in preventing war in that she must not exceed the boundaries of power that might tip the balance and create another series of devastating wars. Instead of immersing herself in finding ways to tip the balance of power onto her side, as what Germany and France have been known to do, Great Britain became involved in creating a distinct British culture that would make herself stand out from the others. The role of being the prime mover in the balance of power also signifies the high regard the Britons have of themselves. While promoting social and political responsibility, Britain still could not help but adopt a feeling of superiority that dominates her culture. In order to fully comprehend the creation of a distinctive British culture during the long 19th century, a brief overview of the cultures of other nations during this period is necessary. Although European culture can be characterized as generally dominant and Eurocentric in that an attitude of superiority permeated politics, the creation of new technology, industrialization, and the cultural arts, each nation state has her own niche that makes this shared supremacy effective. This is what differentiates one culture from the other and what makes British culture unique from that of all the other major players in 19th century Europe. Germany became the center for education, popularizing the achievement of a PhD in various fields and became known for its military fleet.7 France was proud of the Age of Enlightenment, which, although taken from the British, she made her own.8 Furthermore, French was considered to be the international language of politics and diplomacy during that time.9 Russia, on the other hand, became known as “the sleeping giant,” who, because of her land mass and comparatively traditional culture, can be awaken as a great power anytime.10 Even Austria has her own specialty, enriching the world with music from classical geniuses such as Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn and Schubert.11 England, being the first industrialized nation, became popular as the “workshop of the world.”12 This is the foundation of British culture during the 19th century as from this affluence of living came the paradoxical boldness and conservativeness that characterize the way of life during that era of change. Victorian England and the British Empire The British Empire is an important source of Britain’s financial prowess during the long 19th century. It is the greatest empire ever been established, covering about one-third of the world’s land mass, with colonies in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas (although the 13 states declared their independence from Great Britain in the late 18th century to form the United States of America).13 Based on this fact alone, it can be seen how superior the British Empire was during the long 19th century. This superior attitude permeated the colonies and it gave the British great pride in imparting their advanced culture to those that they think are inferior—their colonies.14 This became the premise for creating and propagating a culture that distinguishes them, not only from their colonizers, but also from the other major European states. The British Empire grew through the success of their implementation of the concept of mercantilism, which enabled them to gain enormous wealth to subsidize their country and remain the global economic and political leader.15 This was strengthened during the reign of Queen Victoria, as she encouraged the continued acquisition of territories and international trade.16 Although she claimed that colonizing indigenous cultures, like India, was done “in order that primitive peoples, incapable of self-government, could, with British guidance, eventually become civilized (and Christianized),” the end-all and be-all of the British Empire was to provide more avenues for Britain’s economic growth and the increase of the scope of her power in the world.17 Again, because the Britons became drunk in power and money, British culture emerged as one that exudes dominance and excess of living.18 The Victorian era emerged as one of the most, if not the most, prosperous periods of Great Britain. It is paradoxical and ironic in nature,19 with emphasis on social responsibility that became popular for its “prudishness, excessive formality and repression,”20 while at the same time engaging in the lavishness of possessions21 and opulence. This is the distinctive Victorian characteristic of British culture then and it can be said that the two can hardly be separated as the predominant British culture based on power and superiority was embellished by the Victorian age. Victorian architecture illustrates this in its magnificence and arrogance. “The architecture of the Victorian Age tells us more about the men who made it than does any other architecture in history. It made such very definite statements about life; it was all so self-assured and vulgar, that it never leaves us in doubt.”22 It cannot be denied that Victorian culture has permeated almost every aspect of British culture in that everything has to appear to be grand and impressive as clear products of a people who is superior and who revels in this superiority. Culture became all about what one can possess, which is the abject reality of society during Victorian England, wherein materialism reigned supreme.23 Aesthetics became everything, with the showing off of wealth becoming a dominant attitude, not only in the middle and classes, but also in the working class.24 The British museum is a testament to this as Great Britain showed off her wealth through the rapid expansion of historical artifacts.25 This is contrasted by the Victorian culture of social responsibility wherein excess of living is frowned upon; nevertheless, strict social classes and the importance given to the wealthy were aspects of Victorian culture that cannot be denied. This is illustrated by the fact that even the working class dressed their best on Sundays and tried to show their sophistication and patronage of the arts through visits to the British Museum.26 Unfortunately, due most of them were not permitted entry as they were deemed not trustworthy enough to view such artistic pieces.27 This shows the dominant attitude of prejudice and discrimination propagated by the Victorian preoccupation in class consciousness—a twisted view of social responsibility. While parts of the cities prosper and show grand architectural designs indicative of the gothic revival, with the Manchester Municipal Town Hall being literally built like a palace,28 urban slums exist alongside it. This Victorian culture of excessive living cannot only be seen in the middle and upper classes as evidenced by the phenomenon of the swell song, wherein entertainment, in a vulgar and lavish form, symbolized the importance of leisure time, the classic case of “heroic consumption against exemplary abstinence.”29 Of course, excessive consumption is rooted in the Industrial Revolution; and British and Victorian cultures cannot be discussed without a reference to its momentous effects and the way it changed British society. The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution paved the way for the creation of the middle class, from which employees of manufacturing companies transitioned into. Technological innovations and inventions created an era of mass production that gave way to the rise of a consumerist society.30 Deflation in the late 19th century gave middle class Britons, more so the upper class, the leeway to indulge themselves in Victorian materialism, such as the extravagant buying of furniture and other decorative household items.31 “What had formerly been luxuries were now necessities, placed within the range of every middle-class budget courtesy of rising standards of living and the fruits of the machine.”32 Indeed, mass production has created a new way of living wherein everyone is addicted to buying things that they do not even need,33 so much so that “manufacturers produced an incredible number of goods”34 to bear the unpredictable and fickle demands of consumers. In this sense, the Industrial Revolution has engendered a culture so immersed in materialism that the retail industry flourished to the extent that even the manufacturers were having a difficult time meeting the demands for their products.35 This created the need for the building of large department stores and the popularity of the shopping experience.36 Consumerism inevitably resulted to the commoditization of entertainment. The entertainment industry was established and the entertainment and pleasure became commodities that are expressed through the rise in demand for the swell song.37 This is illustrated in how the singers were considered to be the tools of production and their sensational songs were treated as the products that were manufactured.38 Show business emerged as popular artists command high salaries and are more in-demand.39 Artists became products that need to be packaged beautifully and appropriately for them to be bought.40 Through the “powerful role of the forces of production” during the 19th century, the foundation of the workings of 20th century show business emerged.41 Conclusion The long 19th century created a European culture centered on changes brought about by the abolition of the Old Order and the rise of technological inventions and advancements. However, the culture of the five major European states can be differentiated from each other through the way they adapted to these changes and their contributions to the establishment of the New Order. What made Great Britain different from the others are the facts that she was the first industrialized nation and the vast scope of her power and financial prowess as exhibited by the British Empire. Because of her numerous colonies all over the world, British culture has come to develop a superior air. The reign of Queen Victoria, coupled with the Industrial Revolution, only exacerbated this superiority complex and channeled it into a way of life that is characterized by opulent living, extreme materialism and an attitude of boldness and arrogance. Victorian culture significantly contributed to the creation of a distinctive British culture during the 19th century. Works Cited Bailey, Peter. Popular Culture and Performance in the Victorian City. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, year). Betts, Raymond F. “Introduction.” Europe in Retrospect: A Brief History of the past Two Hundred Years, http://www.britannia.com/history/euro/1/intro.html Betts, Betts, Raymond F. “International Order & Domestic Strife.” Europe in Retrospect: A Brief History of the past Two Hundred Years, http://www.britannia.com/history/euro/1/3_1.html (accessed December 12, 2009). Bohrer, Frederick N. “The Times and Spaces of History: Representation, Assyria, and the British Museum.” in Museum Culture: Histories, Discourses, Spectacles, ed. Daniel J. Sherman and Irit Rogoff. Minneappolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, year. Cannadine, David. Ornamentalism: How the British Saw Their Empire. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Cody, David. “The British Empire.” The Victorian Web, http://www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/Empire.html Cohen, Deborah. Household Gods: The British and their Possessions. London: Yale University Press, 2006. Dellheim, Charles. The Face of the Past: The Preservation of the Medieval Inheritance in Victorian England. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982. Ferguson, Niall. Colossus: The Price of Americas Empire. New York, NY: Penguin books, 2004. Harding, Stephen, Lee Ann Olivier, and Olivera Jokic. Victorians’ Secret: Victorian Substance Abuse, http://drugs.uta.edu/drugs.html (accessed December 12, 2009). Koskenniemi, Martti. The Legacy of the 19th Century, http://www.helsinki.fi/eci/Publications/MKLEGACY%20OF%20THE%2019TH%20CENTURY-07e.pdf Landow, George P. “The Reality of Victorianism.” Victorian Web http://www.victorianweb.org/vn/victor7.html Read More