Napoleon Bonaparte

Man and History

The History of the People

Collective memory is the most important

source of popular works. This is where historicalpopular culture derived its motifs, way of thinking andpoint of view. The pre- modern everyday life of broadsectors of the population was embedded in an his-torical experience which obeyed principles differentfrom those found in books or expounded by learnedpersons. It transmitted these through pictures, signsand symbols.

Consequently, the' modest history of thepeople' is never separated from the' grand history' ofevents and rulers: the fate of the masses was far toocaught up in the development of political conditions.But the point of view of collective thinking was asubjective one. For this reason, many classifiedhistorical epochs according to wars and personalitiesthat represented the' good' or the' bad' times.

Individuals became aware of their roles assubjects of the huge Hapsburg Empire throughexperiences decisive for their personal biographiessuch as joining the army or taking part in a militarycampaign, tasks which were normally fulfilled withsteadfast patriotism in accordance with the mores ofthe time.

Home industrial product

Grödner Valley, South Tyrol, 1st half of the 19th century