Grade 12 History Unit 1 : Development of Capitalism and Nationalism from 1815 to 1914

This unit 1 explores the transformative “long nineteenth century,” a period defined by the powerful economic force of capitalism and the revolutionary political idea of nationalism. You’ll examine how the Industrial Revolution reshaped societies and how the quest for national identity created the modern nations of Italy and Germany.

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Chapter 1.1 & 1.2 – Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution

This section covers the economic engine that changed the world.

• Define capitalism as an economic system based on private ownership and competitive markets.
• Analyze the Industrial Revolution as the shift to machine-based manufacturing, beginning in Great Britain.
• Identify key innovations like the steam engine and the factory system. .
• Understand the major social consequences, including urbanization and the rise of new social classes.

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Chapter 1.3, 1.4 & 1.5 – Nationalism and Unification

Explore the ideology that redrew the map of Europe.

• Define nationalism as the belief that people who share a common language, history, and culture should be united in an independent nation-state.
• Study the Unification of Italy, led by key figures like Cavour and Garibaldi.
• Examine the Unification of Germany under the leadership of Prussia’s “Iron Chancellor,” Otto von Bismarck, through his policy of “Realpolitik.”

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Chapter 1.6 – The American Civil War

This chapter looks at a pivotal conflict in the history of the United States, driven by deep-seated divisions.

• Analyze the primary causes of the war (1861-1865), including the moral and economic issue of slavery, states’ rights, and sectionalism.
• Outline the course of the conflict between the industrial Union (North) and the agrarian Confederacy (South).
• Describe the major consequences, such as the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the United States as a single nation.

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Chapter 1.7 – The Eastern Question

Learn about the complex international dilemma caused by the decline of a major empire.

• Define the “Eastern Question” as the political and diplomatic challenges posed by the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, known as the “sick man of Europe.”
• Understand the competition between European powers for influence in the Balkans.
• Recognize how rising nationalism in the Balkans contributed to the tensions that would eventually lead to World War I.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, you’ll be able to:

• Identify factors that contribute to the growth of nationalism.
• Appreciate the technological advancements of the capitalist economy.
• Make a comparative analysis of Italy’s and Germany’s unification.
• Explain the various economic, political, and social philosophies developed in Europe and their global impacts.