The Mexican War* and Nationalism

The Mexican War* and Nationalism

1845 One of the few important things President Tyler does (before he moves out of office this year and the 11th President, James Knox Polk* moves in) is to annex the independent Texas. Boy, does Santa Anna* object to this. It launches the Mexican War* (with the Alamo and all that). Actually the United States is dying to get their hands on California (which Mexico claims) so this is a good excuse. President Polk has a campaign pledge to get control of California and take Oregon territory from Britain (they settle on the 49th parallel as the northern boundary between the U.S. and Canada). The Mexican War* will run from 1846-48. Polk* is very successful in fulfilling his campaign pledges in this war.

Meanwhile, Florida is admitted to the union as the 27th state. Later in the year, in December, Texas is admitted as the 28th state, even though they are still

fighting over it there. In England, Shaftesbury* gets a law providing care for the insane. This year Margaret Fuller*

publishes her feminist views in Woman in the Nineteenth Century*. She's the first literary publishes her feminist views in Woman in the Nineteenth Century*. She's the first literary

Elizabeth Barrett* (1806-61 originally Elizabeth Moulton, then her father took the name of Barrett, later she marries Browning) publishes some poems.

1845 - One of the most enduring and popular American plays shows up this year. Fashion*, written by Anna Cora Mowatt (1819-70), is a terrific spoof of New York city manners.

The English actor-manager, Charles Kean* (1811-1868) begins directing, then touring, and now he is on his third tour with the most detailed productions yet seen in North America. This success will encourage him to go back home and do even better productions.

1846 - This year in America the Minstrel Show* is given its definitive form by E. P. Christy* (1815-62). This is a two-part show in which the first part uses the Interlocutor* (master of ceremonies) and two stand-up comedians Tambo and Bones) to toss jokes around with "end" men (who stand at the ends of a semicircle of the group). These joke sessions trade off with musical numbers. The second part of the show is the olio*, which is a series of speciality acts and songs. This will grow in popularity and reach its peak between 1850 and 1890.

1846 Iowa comes into the union as the 29th state. This year the first publication comes out by the Bronte sisters, Charlotte* (1816-55), Emily

Jane* (1818-48) and Anne* (1820-49). It is a collection of their poems, published under the pen names of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell.

Another author, the American, Herman Melville* (1819-91), writes Typee* this year. Next year he will write Omoo*.

Still a third author, this time a Russian, Feodor Dostoyevsky* (1821-81, whose name is also spelled two or three other ways, remember the Russian alphabet is not the one we use) publishes his first novel, Poor Folk* and begins to earn a reputation.

1846-7 Economic conditions in France are terrible. There is a widespread economic crisis and the condition of the working class is getting even worse than it was. All over Europe there are really bad crop failures, political repression, and a rising tide of nationalism*.

Since in this period everybody is preoccupied with it, we'll take a moment to try to understand what is meant here by nationalism*. Basically it's a political philosophy where the welfare of the nation (state) is the most important thing. It is also a state of mind held by people who share a common history, religion, language, or ethnic background. This is especially important when there is a political need for action and nationalism* becomes a group state of mind where patriotism and loyalty to the country are looked on as each individual's primary duty. Ever since the French Revolution (1789) this nationalism* business has (and will) provided the glue that enables countries to interact with each other in a fairly reasonable way. It also leads to some terrifically excessive militarism and Imperialism (like Napoleon, and the British Empire, for examples). Nationalism* will grow as a powerful force in world politics.

1847 - This year in Russia Alexander Ostrovshy* (1823-86) comes out with his first play. He will go on to write about 34 more. His works mark the beginning of realism in Russia. He 1847 - This year in Russia Alexander Ostrovshy* (1823-86) comes out with his first play. He will go on to write about 34 more. His works mark the beginning of realism in Russia. He

1847 In England, Shaftesbury produces another law limiting the work day and promotes building model tenements to house workers.

In the U.S. canning food in glass and tin is replaced by tin-plated steel cans. This is a big improvement and the basis of the modern industry.

This year the novels of the Bronte sisters are published: Charlotte, Jane Eyre*; Emily Jane*, Wuthering Heights*; and Anne*, Agnes Grey*. Their careers will be very short (tuberculosis takes Anne and Emily) but brilliant.

1847- This period is a landmark for women when Semmelweis* (Ignaz Philipp, 49 1818-65),

a Hungarian obstetrician, proves that child-bed (puerperal) fever is contagious. (All those doctors running around from one birthing mother to another, without even washing their hands or their instruments, have been killing their patients right and left). Now Semmelweis* becomes the pioneer of antisepsis (getting rid of germs) in obstetrics.