Season 4 Discussion Board- If You Learned Only Six Things in Season 4, Remember...

1. Industrialization led the world to become truly interdependent. Industrialized nations in nations in search of raw materials and new markets often imperialized areas to protect their economic interests.

2. Populations grew and many people migrated to cities in search of work in factories. Free-wage laborers were more desirable in this new market-driven economy than force labor. As a result, slaves and serfs were emancipated.

3. Women gained some economic opportunities in the factories but were paid considerably less than their male counterparts. These new economic opportunities and Enlightenment ideals pushed women to fight for political rights, as well.

4. The working-class emerged as a force for change. Through organization into unions, these workers were able to advocate for improved working conditions, which were dangerous and oppressive.

5. Western culture strongly influenced many Asian and African areas through colonization. At the same time, Asian and African culture and art strongly influenced European intellectuals and artists. Enlightenment ideals such as equality, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion became very influential in many parts of the world, yet in other parts, traditional religious organization maintained power and influence.

6. The ideas of the Enlightenment said that the government was responsible to its people, inspiring revolutions and independence movements and pushing some governments to experiment with democratic values. This democracy, however, proved to extend to a limited class of people. "The nation" and nationalism became the new concepts of identity in the 19th century, and would soon spread to many parts of the world.