Exam 10: An Age of Nationalism and Realism, 1850-1871

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The expansion of scientific knowledge during the mid-nineteenth century had a profound impact on the Western worldview and the everyday lives of Europeans. This period, known as the Second Industrial Revolution, saw advancements in fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. These advancements led to a greater understanding of the natural world and the development of new technologies, which in turn transformed many aspects of daily life.

In terms of the Western worldview, the expansion of scientific knowledge during this time challenged traditional religious beliefs and superstitions. The discoveries of scientists like Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel, for example, led to new understandings of human origins and genetics that contradicted religious creation stories. This caused a shift towards a more secular and rational worldview, as people began to rely more on scientific explanations for natural phenomena.

In everyday life, the expansion of scientific knowledge brought about significant changes. The development of new technologies, such as the steam engine and the telegraph, revolutionized transportation and communication. This led to urbanization and the growth of industrial cities, as well as the spread of information and ideas at a much faster pace. Additionally, advancements in medicine and public health led to longer life expectancies and improved living conditions for many Europeans.

This expansion of scientific knowledge in the mid-nineteenth century differed from that in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in several ways. Firstly, the scale and pace of scientific advancements were much greater during the mid-nineteenth century, due in part to the increased funding and institutional support for scientific research. Additionally, the focus of scientific inquiry shifted from natural philosophy and alchemy in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to more empirical and evidence-based methods in the nineteenth century. This led to a greater emphasis on experimentation and observation, as well as the development of new scientific disciplines such as evolutionary biology and thermodynamics.

Overall, the expansion of scientific knowledge during the mid-nineteenth century had a profound and lasting impact on the Western worldview and the everyday lives of Europeans, leading to significant social, cultural, and technological changes.