Evidently, the societal and political realm in the mid-nineteenth century was characterized by extensive dominance by the male middle class. However, this did not last long in that as the century approached, the ideas and actions of Freud, Marx, and the suffragettes challenged this, and advocated for women’s rights. The period after the mid-nineteenth century experienced the emergence of feminist ideas, which were fuelled by various societal transformations. Above all, economic transformations that were eminent in the period after the mid-nineteenth century fuelled feminism. Precisely, economic transformation resulting from industrial revolution resulted in the expansion of consumer markets, which had a colossal influence on wealth distribution. This also led restructuring of the homes, whereby the suffragettes insisted that women had the right to support themselves by engaging in meaningful work in the wider societal arena or within the household (Merriman 568).
On another note, culturally romanticism ideas brought forward by Marx and Freud led to the emergence of new values and ideas, which were merged with previously existing values and ideas on enlightenment. This combination resulted in the development of unprecedented positivity regarding human capabilities. As a result, radical movements emerged an endorsed gender equality, which fuelled the momentum of change as traditional obstacles to women’s prowess were immensely criticized. Overall, Freudo-Marxism ideas were of the notion that the society has and continues to experience necessary conflict, which was inevitable. According to Freud, this necessary conflict was aligned with civilization, whereby civilization called for repression and sublimation in order to enhance cultural change. Civilization is one of the factors that encouraged gender equality; hence, transforming the society and the nineteenth century approached (Merriman 796). In conclusion, the mid-nineteenth century experience male dominance, but ideas from Freud, Marx, and the suffragettes brought intense societal transformation as the nineteenth century approached.
Work Cited
Merriman, John M. A History of Modern Europe: Third Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2010. Print.
