Sociological theory developed in nineteenth-century Europe

Explain how sociological theory developed in nineteenth-century Europe. Pay particular attention to the historical social context, including "social forces" and in "intellectual forces" (as described by Ritzer). Recall that during most of the nineteenth century, students who were interested in in human behavior and social relationships could take courses in psychology, philosophy, and history, but sociology was not yet established as an academic discipline. As you formulate your essay, ask yourself what these students were missing. Also consider the events, social conditions, and intellectual concerns that led Marx, Durkheim, and Weber to seek an understanding of society. Hi, First resource Sociological Theory, 8th edition, by George Ritzer is our text. In this class we were supposed to get a study guide and now there is none. It is chapter One only. thank you for your help,

You read in the previous chapter about the major streams of human thought in the early modern world. The 19th century saw new patterns in the thought process of the people. The intellectual developments of the 19th and early 20th century world were largely dominated by the ideas and concepts that had their roots in Europe.
This chapter will introduce you to the major developments in 1) philosophy, literature, and art, and 2) science and technology, which influenced the cultural, social and political movements of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Decline of the Enlightenment
By the end of the 18th century, the ideals of the Enlightenment no longer inspired the imagination of a group of philosophers in Europe. Men of letters and artists, too, began to doubt the essential tenets of the Enlightenment. Philosophers began to question whether rationality, scientific temperament, and logical thought of the Enlightenment were really good to mankind.
This skepticism regarding the ideals of the Enlightenment expressed itself in two ways: Romanticism and Idealism. In fact, both these streams of thought had their source in the philosophy of the Enlightenment. Subsequently, these developed into movements affecting political and cultural life, including literature and art. Germany, France, and England were the three regions where the impact of the new thoughts was felt first.

The Romantic Movement in 19th Century Europe
Romanticism was the most significant development of the late 18th and early 19th centuries in philosophy, literature and art. It began first as a continuation of, and later as a reaction to the Enlightenment in Europe.
Romanticism was a break with the ideals enshrined by the Enlightenment. It was a revolt against classicism in the art and literature of the Enlightenment. Thus, it questioned the primacy of Reason, Order and Science. Instead, Romanticism emphasized the subjective, the imaginative, the personal, the emotional and the spontaneous. It stood for the precedence of emotion over reason, and senses over intellect. The interests of an observer would influence his observations. The varying interests of individuals have a role in such observations. The emotions elicited by an object would be felt or experienced differently by the observers. The beauty of nature was to be the guiding principle.