Long nineteenth century facts for kids

The long nineteenth century is a special way to talk about a period of history. It lasted for 125 years. This time started with the French Revolution in 1789. It ended when World War I began in 1914. A Soviet writer named Ilya Ehrenburg first used this term. Later, a British historian named Eric Hobsbawm made it very popular. The term helps us understand big ideas and changes in Europe during the 1800s.

Understanding the Long 19th Century

The idea of a "long century" comes from other historians. For example, Fernand Braudel talked about a "long 16th century." This means a historical period doesn't always fit neatly into 100 years. Instead, it covers a time when certain big ideas or events were most important. Many writers and historians use this idea. They use it to describe specific time frames for their books. The term "long nineteenth century" helps connect history with more people. It is used in many school subjects. These include history, languages, and art.

Key Events of the Long 19th Century

Historian Eric Hobsbawm wrote a famous set of books. They explain his ideas about the long 19th century. These books are:

• The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789–1848 (published in 1962)
• The Age of Capital: 1848–1875 (published in 1975)
• The Age of Empire: 1875–1914 (published in 1987)

Hobsbawm starts his long 19th century with the French Revolution. This revolution wanted to create equal rights for everyone in France. He ends it with the start of World War I. After World War I ended in 1918, the old way that European countries shared power changed forever.

Hobsbawm also wrote about the short 20th century. This idea was first suggested by Iván T. Berend. It started with World War I in 1914. It ended when the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991.

Religion in the Long 19th Century

For the history of the Catholic Church, the long 19th century was a special time. The power of the Pope became stronger. This happened even as countries became more centralized. They also faced new revolutionary movements. The Church used new ways to organize and communicate. These were similar to the methods used by the new governments.

The Church's long 19th century lasted even longer. It went from the French Revolution (1789) until Pope Pius XII died (1958). This period saw a decline in the Church's traditional power. New, non-religious ideas also grew within countries. Then, new ways of thinking began within the Church itself. This happened after Pope John XXIII was elected.

See also

• Belle Époque
• Belgium in the long 19th century
• France in the long 19th century
• Long eighteenth century
• Long War (20th century), proposed by Philip Bobbitt
• Women Philosophers in the Long Nineteenth Century