HIST 274 Lecture : Lecture 1.docx
18 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Cultural history in france lead to the development of semiotics (everything in culture is a symbol of some kind) Symbolism behind the presentation of a product (in advertising) Ways of life, how aristocrats interact socially, middle class (bourgeois), representations of class and gender, identity. How the french think about themselves and history. In 1750, france was the most populace country in europe. Population increased explosively in the next 50 years. Large population combined with its geographic location ensured france was one of the great military powers of europe. By the 18th century, britain and germany (hapsburg empire) were afraid that france was going to dominate europe politically. France was very active in commerce in the 18th century. In 1750 france was predominantly an agricultural economy. Every 10 years, massive crop failure in france. Crop failure contributed to french revolution of 1789. In 1750, french society was no longer feudal, but it was not yet industrial or capitalist.
