History before birth of Keats and during his life
During the 18th Century, (the "age of reason") there was a movement from Classicism to Romanticism.
The American Revolution:
1775 - 1783 Conflict between 13 British colonies in North America and Britain. Led to the American War Of Independence Constitution of the United States 1787.
The French Revolution:
1789 - 1799 Transformation of political system. Absolute Monarchy to Equality for all.
Romantic poetry was a rebellion against rigid, intellectual hierarchy. Poetry replaced it with emotion.
The Peterloo Massacre:
Manchester 16th August 1819. Riot cuased Hustings of Manchester Patriotic Union Society- Wanted Parliamentary Reform
Science and Technology:
Industrial Revolution (started in late 17 hundreds) gathered pace in the Romantic Period. Believed science and technology meant that individuality and identity was lost by machines.