1. Modernism was born in the period 1850-1914
Modern Ideas
Modernism was born in the period

2. New Ideas in Science
Charles Darwin concluded that the finches he observed descended from a common ancestor
Waited 25 years to work out the details before publishing On the Origins of Species
Darwin argued that species are locked in a constant struggle for resources and survival

3. Through random variations some individuals gained a survival advantage in a local environment
If an evolutionary change was successful, the mutation would spread within a species population through reproduction
Darwin’s theory caused an immediate uproar

4. T.H. Huxley and Gregor Mendel later provided additional support for natural selection by articulating the gene theory of production
With The Descent of Man, Darwin applied his theory to the evolution of the human race from earlier primate species

5. The New Physics
Theory held that the atom was the simplest particle and indestructible
Scientific evidence began to prove this incorrect
Marie Curie demonstrated how atoms emitted radioactive energy as they disintegrated

6. J.J. Thompson and Ernest Rutherford gave a more complex view of the atom with subatomic particles
Discovery of x-ray
Max Planck in 1900 articulated quantum theory
Einstein argued that absolute time and space does not exist, but rather are relative to the observer

7. Freudian Psychology
Sigmund Freud revealed the instinctual and unconscious nature of human behavior
Developed the theory of psychoanalysis
Therapists attempt to unlock the hidden desires, fears and memories of the patient that caused mental illness

8. Divided the psyche into the id, ego, and superego
Claimed that unresolved conflicts among these parts causes neuroses
Unpleasant memories might be buried in the subconscious
Memories could be explored through hypnosis and analysis of patient’s dreams
Claimed sexual feelings occurred early in life

9. Sociology
Ivan Pavlov suggested that human behavior could also be controlled through the appropriate stimuli
Criminologists studied to show that criminal behavior might result from genetic inheritance rather than deliberate choice

10. Sociologists explored the influence of impersonal bureaucratic structures and crowd mentalities on the individual
Herbert Spencer applied Darwin’s ideas to society to produce Social Darwinism
Inequalities and divisions with class or races resulted from the same process of natural selection as applied to human affairs

11. Public aid and charity for the destitute would only weaken the genetic pool and cause more suffering in the long run
Francis Galton developed the pseudoscience of race, known as eugenics

12. Philosphy
Henri Bergson introduced his theory introduced his theory of “vitalism”, which held that nature could not be divided into analyzable units or discreet parts
Human behavior was not capable of being reduced to any set of explanatory factors

13. Friedrich Nietzsche asserted that “God is dead”
His thinking embraced the chaos and flux inherent in nature
Believed that ideas did not actually represent reality
Human systems of thoughts and morality represent a “will to power” and constituted tools for the individual to overcome itself

14. Religion: The Challenge of Modernism
Modern ideas produced a crisis for the Protestant and Catholic Church
Scientific and philosophical works stressed the secular
Some scholars attempted to update religious beliefs
Protestant denominations began to split between modernists and fundmentalists

15. Pope Leo XIII ended the prohibition of Catholic’s participation in Italian politics and formulated a social doctrine that combined a belief in private property with a concern for poverty and inequality