Econ 40970 Modern European Economic History John Lovett Exam 3 Code Name: Part 1: (70 points. Answer on this paper. 2.0 pts each unless noted.) # s 1 4: According to our reading (Power to the People by Kander, Malanima, and Warde), what was happening in Europe from about 1500 to the late 1700 s? 1. Europe s population was: a. increasing b. roughly constant c. decreasing 2. Output per capita was: a. increasing b. roughly constant c. decreasing 3. Energy use per capita was: a. increasing b. roughly constant c. decreasing 4. (3 pts) As a result, Europe s prospects for future growth, according to Kander et al, were: a. severely limited unless she found a new energy source. b. very good regardless of whether or not Europe turned to coal energy. Europe would have continued to grow at a fast rate, for a century or two at least, had she not turned to coal. c. limited by her large population rather than a lack of energy. Had it not been for the outbreaks of disease that killed millions in the 1700 s, Europe would have not have modernized. d. limited by a lack of population rather than a lack of energy. Had it not been for the invention of vaccines and public health measures, Europe would not have modernized. 5 7: Our reading (Power to the People), discusses how China and Europe attempted to increase (or maintain) output during the period preceding the 19 th century (i.e. roughly the 1500 s to late 1700 s). 5. China, during this period: a. imported labor from abroad. China saw a large influx of foreign peoples. b. began to use its labor more intensively (increased effort and skill per person) c. started to replace labor with machines d. exported Chinese labor to neighboring countries and as a result saw her population decrease. 6. Europe, during this period: a. imported labor from abroad. Europe saw a large influx of foreign peoples. b. began to use its labor more intensively (increased effort and skill per person) c. started to replace labor with machines d. exported European labor to the rest of the world and as a result saw her population decrease. 7. As a result: a. both China and Europe were equally well positioned to take advantage of coal energy. China, however, lacked major coal deposits whereas Europe did not. b. China was better positioned to take advantage of coal energy than Europe was. China, however, lacked major coal deposits whereas Europe did not. c. Europe was very well positioned to take advantage of coal energy. China was not. 1
Econ 40970 Modern European Economic History John Lovett 8. This country was the first to turn to coal in a significant way. By 1750 is obtained about half of its energy from coal. a. Belgium b. the Dutch Republic c. England d. France e. Germany f. Hungary g. Poland h. Sweden 9. From about 1750 to around 1880, this country burned more coal each year than the rest of Western Europe combined. a. Belgium b. the Dutch Republic c. England d. France e. Germany f. Hungary g. Poland h. Sweden 10. Throughout the 1700 s, this country managed to stay a major iron producer, and energy user, without switching to coal. This country, instead, continued to rely on wood. However, during the 1800 s this country fell behind much of western Europe in per capita energy use. a. Belgium b. the Dutch Republic c. England d. France e. Germany f. Hungary g. Poland h. Sweden 11. (3 pts) According to Kander, et al and a handout from class, when did Europe s per capita energy use stop growing and start to flatten out? a. around 1770 b. around 1816 c. around 1869 d. around 1913 e. around 1956 f. around 1997 12. (6 pts) Put the events below in historical order (1 7). The first one has been done for you. 1 Humankind discovers how to make fire. Ubba burn thumb but meat now taste good. Napoleon Bonaparte is Emperor of France Louis XVI calls the Estates General Charles II and the Stuart dynasty returns to the throne of England The English Civil War is fought France experiences The Terror James II is deposed and William and Mary take the English crown 13. (3 pts) Why do economic historian most care about England s Glorious Revolution? a. Through the Glorious Revolution England got a system of restrained government. b. Through the Glorious Revolution, in particular through the expulsion of many wealthy land owns, England had much a more equal income distribution and fewer class struggles. c. By realigning away from France and toward the Netherlands and Germany, England learned to embrace trade and manufacturing rather than just agriculture. d. Through the Glorious Revolution England changed from a predominantly Catholic country to a mostly Protestant one. Protestant theology encouraged lending at interest and making profits. 2
14. (5 pts) Below you have a map of Western Europe. Some of the areas indicated with letters (a, b, c h) are real (major) coalfields, but most are not. Indicate two major coal fields of Western Europe. and are two major coal fields of Western Europe. a b c d e g f h 15. When did England s Parliament get full control over tax revenues? When did Parliament have control over all of the English government s revenues? (-0 for for answers within 1 year. -0.5 for answers within 2 years. -1 for answers within 12 years. -2 for anything else) 16. What prompted several English leaders ( the immortal seven ) to try to overthrow their king and invite a foreign ruler to take the throne? a. The King executed several popular religious figures. b. The King created his own standing army. c. The King attempted to go to war with France and Spain. d. The King s wife had a baby boy who was Catholic. e. The King imposed a new tax based on a very old medieval law. 3
17. (6 pts) What did the English Bill of Rights state? Check any and all blanks that apply. While the Monarch has some privileges, he or she cannot make new laws or courts without consent of Parliament Trade between England and the rest of the world will not be taxed unless England is at war with the country for which the trade is bound All adult males in England can vote regardless of their wealth or income. Catholics can worship openly in England and can hold any government office There will be no standing army in peacetime unless Parliament approves it. There is freedom of speech in Parliament. The ultimate authority to tax lies with Parliament. The Crown cannot tax without Parliament s consent.. 18. What was the point of our in-class discussion on who could vote in Britain? a. Like China today, Britain was an enigma in that she gave her citizens economic rights but not many political rights. Britain didn t allow those without property to vote until after World War I. b. When it came to males, Britain achieved full enfranchisement about 200 years earlier than most. c. Britain made many gradual changes in political system rather than sudden changes. d. The British were an enigma in that they were both conservative as evidenced by letting few vote, and liberal as evidenced by letting women vote early on. 19. (4.5 pts) What were the three main social classes of Europe, (during the 1700 s and 1800 s) discussed in our reading and lecture? Check 3 blanks below. Proletariat Serfs Social Conservatives Social Liberals Secularists Landed Aristocracy Bourgeoisie Military Absolutists 20. During the French Revolution, did France ever have a Constitutional Monarchy in which the legislature had most of the power, but the King still had an active role in shaping policy? a. Yes, and it lasted for roughly a decade until Napoleon seized power in a coup. b. Yes, but it only lasted for a very brief period before things became radicalized. c. No, the Paris mob took over before the Estates General even met. France went straight from autocratic rule to mob rule. d. No, the Prussians invaded and captured both the French King and the Estates General. France went straight from domestic autocratic rule, to foreign autocratic rule, to military dictatorship. 4
21. (2.5 pts) Which of the following is true of the English Revolution and the French Revolution? a. Both resulted in a government that was effective yet was restrained from abusing its power. Thanks to Napoleon, however, France s new government did not last very long. b. Because of her revolution, England turned outward and became a trading power. France, in contrast, turned inward and shunned foreign trade. c. France started from a position of a more absolutist government. France also saw more radical swings in government. England, in contrast saw much smaller changes in it systems of govt. 22. Anne considers herself a Pessimist when it comes to the Living Standards Debate? What does Anne likely believe? a. Living standards, especially for the working class, fell during much of the Industrial Revolution. b. Overall living standards today are no better than they were before the Industrial Revolution. c. Social policies implemented during the Industrial Revolution, such as attempts to improve sanitation, had no effect on living standards. d. Social policies implemented during the Industrial Revolution actually made living standards worse. 23. Between 1750 and 1870, GDP/capita in most Western European countries. a. rose throughout the period. b. was basically unchanged in all countries throughout the period. c. fell throughout the period. d. rose between 1750 and 1820, then fell from 1820 to 1870. e. fell between 1750 and 1820, then rose from 1820 to 1870. f. was basically unchanged in most countries. The exceptions were England and Belgium in which GDP/capita rose significantly 24. Which best describes the general pattern of real wage of unskilled workers in Europe between (roughly) 1750 and 1850? a. Real wages were rising in almost every decade of the period. b. Real wages were basically unchanged over the entire period. c. Real wages were falling in almost every decade of the period. d. Real wages tended to fall until about 1800. From about 1800 to 1850 they climbed back to where they were in 1750. e. Real wages tended to rise until about 1800. From about 1800 to 1850 they fell back to where they were in 1750. 25. What happened to the average heights of adult males in western Europe between 1760 & 1860? a. Men generally became shorter. b. While there were some fluctuation from decade to decade, men generally stayed the same height. c. Men generally became taller. 5
26. What happened to life expectancy at birth in Western Europe between about 1820 and 1870? a. Life expectancy decreased by about 4 years. b. Life expectancy was basically unchanged. c. Life expectancy increased. In most countries, however, life expectancy only went up about 4 years. Life expectancy was still well below modern levels. d. Life expectancy increased greatly. In most countries life expectancy went up nearly 20 years. e. Life expectancy rose in Britain and Belgium by 10 years, but was basically unchanged elsewhere. 27. (3 pts) The Kuznets curve describes the idea that, during rapid technological change: a. income distribution first becomes less equal, then become more equal. b. income distribution first becomes more equal, then become less equal. c. government policies designed to make income distribution more equal actually make it less equal. d. social/public goods must be provided first or the private sector will not adopt new technologies. Part 2: Answer 1 of the following 3 essays (30 points) 1. Describe how Europe s rise and relative decline might be explained by energy sources. The idea is pretty simple (but profound) but make sure you get it right. Use as much evidence/details as you can to support your explanation. 2. From the late 17 th century (1600 s) to the early 18 th century (1900 s), Britain is generally seen as having one of the more enlightened and progressive governments for the time. Was this change gradual or revolutionary? Make sure you support your answer with lots of historical evidence. 3. What is meant by the Living Standards Debate, the Optimist s Case and Pessimist s Case? Does the GDP/capita data support the pessimist case or the optimist case? Explain your answer. Argue the pessimist s case. Make sure you include evidence to support your arguments. 6