Historical Background to the growth of

Sociology, 2019 updated

Historical Background

Sociology is a child of revolutions such as French Revolution (1789), American

Revolution (1765-83), Industrial Revolution (mid 1700s – mid 1800s) and the era
of Enlightenment (mid 1600s – 1700s)
Sociology is seen as a logical and continuous outcome of the intellectual scene
during the 17th and 18thc

French Revolution
- was a period of time in France when the people overthrew the monarchy and took
control of the government
- lasted for 10 years from 1789-99
- began on July 14, 1789 when revolutionaries stormed a prison called the Bastille.
The revolution came to an end in 1799 when a general named Napoleon overthrew
the revolutionary government and established the French Consulate* (with
Napoleon as leader).
- Before the revolution, the people of France were divided into social groups called
"Estates" - First Estate: clergy (church leaders); Second Estate: nobles; Third
Estate: commoners - Most of the people were members of the Third Estate - paid
most of the taxes, while the nobility lived lives of luxury and got all the high-
ranking jobs.

· - conditions were hit the worse particularly at Paris, as it was the most populated
urban centre at that time. Due to bitter winters, people had abandoned world
life and flocked to urban centres - Crops failed due to bitter winters - Nothing to
eat and due to migration, no kitchen gardens - No field to grow - common man
was left starving but the Nobility, continued to live lavishly.
- Due to this financial crisis and critical transformation because of Enlightenment,
tradition, hierarchy, monarchy and aristocracy were questioned.
- At the start of the revolution, representatives from the Third Estate established the
National Assembly where they demanded that King Louis XVI give them certain
rights.
- - Over a period of time, the Reign of Terror, which was the darkest period of the
French Revolution was established by some of the rising leaders from amongst the
common men. During this time, a man named Robespierre wanted to stamp out
any opposition to the revolution, so he called for a rule of "Terror". Laws were
 passed that said anyone suspected of treason could be arrested and executed. Reign
of terror was a period of the French Revolution between September 1793 and July
1794, during which thousands of people were executed as enemies of the
revolution.
- - During this period, many new political ideas and alliances of the French
Revolution were formed in political clubs. These clubs included the powerful
Jacobin Club (led by Robespierre).
- Outcome of the political clubs was French Revolution which put an end to the
French monarchy, feudalism, and took political power from the Catholic church. It
also brought new ideas to Europe including liberty and freedom for the commoner
as well as the abolishment of slavery and the rights of women.

The Enlightenment was:

 An intellectual movement in Europe
 Movement from darkness to light by - critical of church because it was anti-
science
 In the Dark Ages, nobility were the rulers
 Clergy supported that it was God’s will to appoint as nobility and nobody
could question the authority
 Enlightenment led to questioning
 It was the Age of reasoning
 People started to interpret reality in different ways
 No place for mystery in the form of superstitions
 Real was that which can be seen and measured
 Shift from mystical way to concrete way of life
 People rose up to ask the reason for the social conditions to be as they
were
 Separation between church and state
 Scientific method includes: Mathematical analysis (observation),
Experimentation, Inductive reasoning (why something happens in a such a
manner)
 Utilitarianism was encouraged: greatest good of greatest number
 This also stimulated religious tolerance, optimism and self-confidence
 Freedom of thought and expression: bring liberty to all men (modern battle
against absolutism
 Education of masses
 Legal reforms: justice, kindness, charity
  Constitutionalism: written- listening to citizens – concepts of ‘rights’
 Cosmopolitanism
 Great debate: reason and logic vs. tradition and superstition – Galileo vs.
centre of the universe
 Applied reason to human world, not just to the natural world
 Fueled democratic revolutions around the world: America, France, Latin
America
Philosophers:

1. Thomas Hobbes – wrote ‘Leviathan’ – State must have central authority to

manage behaviour – people are driven by “desire for power” – need for a
government, otherwise anarchy
2. John Locke – Wrote ‘Two Treatises on Government’ – people are sovereign
(self-governing) – monarchs are not chosen by God – mankind – being all equal
and independent – no one ought to harm another in his health, life or possessions –
ideas influence Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution
3. Baron de Montesquieu – Wrote ‘The Spirit of Laws’ – best form of government
includes a separation of powers – when law making and law enforcing powers are
united in the same person, there can be no liberty – influenced U.S. Constitution:
creation of 3 branches of government
4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Wrote ‘The Social Contract’ – government is a
contract between rulers and the people – man was born free and
everywhere he is in chains – influenced American Revolution and
Declaration of Independence
5. Voltaire: Wrote books on history, criticism of religion and philosophy –
religious tolerance should triumph over religious fanaticism – separation of church
and state – “I do not agree with a word you say, but will defend till death, your
right to say it”. – freedom of speech
6. Mary Wollstonecraft – Wrote books on the rights of women – ‘Vindication of
the Rights of Women’ – women should be given equal rights and opportunities – in
France, women did not have rights – let men prove that women are weaker –
equality of women and feminist movement – led to revolution in America and
France – Declaration of Independence – U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights

The Industrial Revolution:

 Changes in agriculture
 Factories, mining, technology
 Effect on structure of the society
 Began in England and spread to western Europe, America, Canada, Japan, etc.
 Inventions such as steam engine, allowed powered machines
 Feudal system crumbled and capitalism came in
 Social problems cropped up because different people from different areas came
together in a small space; poor sanitation; 16-17 hours of work daily; child labour;
high child mortality rates; alcoholism; STDs; no schooling (street urchins)