place in Europe during the late 1700s and the
early- to mid-1800s. In particular, the French
Revolution, which began in 1789, resulted in
the dissolution of class barriers and the destruc-
tion of royal power in France. Byron’s mother
had been a fervent supporter of the FrenchCOMPARE
&
CONTRAST 1800s: From 1821 through 1832, Greeks
within the Ottoman Empire battle Turkish
forces for their independence. Greek rebels
declare their independence in 1822. Three
separate invasions by the Turks follow;
their numbers are reinforced by Egyptian
forces. Europe’s intervention results in an
end to the hostilities. In 1832, at a confer-
ence in London, Greece is declared an inde-
pendent monarchy.
Today:Greece is now a republic that emu-
lates western democracies. They joined
NATO in 1952 and the European Union in- Greece is led by Prime Minister Kon-
standinos Karamanlis.
1800s:In 1812 Byron gives a speech to the
House of Lords regarding the exploitation
of workers in the hosiery trade. Luddism—
the destruction of production machinery
intended to cheaply manufacture goods
and eliminate the need for skilled crafts-
men—is a tool that is becoming increasingly
popular among workers to draw attention
to their cause. It is proposed by conservative
nobles that this practice become a capital
felony, that is, punishable by death. In his
speech, Byron argues vehemently against
this proposal.
Today:Britain faces an enormous influx of
foreign workers whose rights, like those of
native-born citizens, must be protected. The
government has expanded programs that
allow temporary foreign workers the right
to British employment. Many British work-
ers fear losing employment opportunities to
foreign workers.
1800s:As a handsome, flirtatious nobleman
with a successful literary career, Byron is
among Britain’s first true celebrities. Many
of his indiscretions are ignored due to his
fame, and they only fuel his intriguing rep-
utation as a rebel. But when his peers and
the public perceive that he has gone too
far—having had too many well-publicized
extramarital affairs, and having pursued a
scandalous affair with his half-sister—
Byron falls out of public favor. Due to this
vehement reaction against him, he is forced
to permanently leave the country.
Today: Modern British male celebrities
include actors such as Daniel Radcliffe,
sports figures such as David Beckham, and
royals such as Princes William and Harry.
The public’s appetite for information on
such figures is fed, and fueled by, tabloid
magazines reporting on all aspects of celeb-
rities’ lives. Modern fans are fickle in their
tastes, but often more forgiving than the
media when a celebrity fails to live up to
the idealized images that fans have created.
1800s:Great Britain plays an active role in
European politics. British forces fight
against, and eventually defeat, the French
military dictator Napoleon Bonaparte. Fol-
lowing a period of military conservatism,
British statesmen approve efforts to aid the
Greeks and are instrumental in securing
peace in the region. Political power shifts
between the Tory and Whig political parties.
Today: Great Britain maintains a strong
presence in international politics, but incurs
the disdain of many European nations for
former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s support
of American President George W. Bush’s
invasion of, and sustained military presence
in, Iraq.When We Two Parted