The Twenties and Thirties: Social Change and Cultural Upheaval

The period following World War I saw significant social and cultural changes in both Britain and the United States. These decades, often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties" and the "Great Depression era," were marked by shifts in gender roles, political movements, and economic turbulence.

Key developments in Britain:

1. Women's suffrage movement gained momentum

   Example: The Suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst, fought for women's right to vote, sometimes resorting to violence to secure equal political rights.

2. Expansion of voting rights

   Highlight: In 1918, all men aged twenty-one and women over thirty were granted the right to vote.

3. Rise of the Labour movement

   • 1924 saw the formation of the first Labour government
   • Trade unions gained influence, though not aligned with Socialism or Communism

In the United States:

1. Labour and social movements influenced by Marxist theories

2. Increased immigration led to hostility towards foreigners

   Example: The Sacco and Vanzetti case exemplified the tensions surrounding immigration and political ideologies.

3. The "Roaring Twenties" brought changes in social norms and family structures

   • Smaller families due to both parents working
   • Increase in divorce rates

4. Clash between traditionalist values and new social groups

   Vocabulary: Jazz Age - A period in the 1920s characterized by the popularity of jazz music and associated cultural trends.

5. Technological advancements

   • Widespread adoption of telephone and electricity
   • Rise of motion pictures and radio, leading to mass popular culture
   • Automobile production revolutionized by Ford's assembly-line technique

Definition: Prohibition - The legal ban on the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States from 1920 to 1933.

The end of the 1920s brought economic turmoil:

• 1929: Wall Street Crash in the USA
• Great Depression affected Britain and other countries
• 1932: Election of Roosevelt and implementation of the New Deal in the USA

These social, economic, and cultural changes had a profound impact on literature and the arts, influencing the themes and styles of Modern Age in English literature.

Cultural Revolution and Modernism

The Modern Age witnessed a significant shift in cultural and artistic expressions, particularly in literature. This period, often referred to as the modernist revolution, marked a departure from Victorian traditions and embraced new forms of expression.

Key aspects of the cultural revolution:

1. Continuation and challenge of Victorian lifestyle

   • While some Victorian habits persisted, there was a growing difficulty in maintaining traditional beliefs

2. Emergence of modernist literature

   • Characterized by experimentation with form and style
   • Exploration of new themes and perspectives

3. Influence of historical events

   • World Wars I and II had a profound impact on literary themes and attitudes

4. Technological advancements

   • Rapid developments in technology influenced both society and artistic expression

Highlight: The modernist movement in literature reflected the broader societal changes and uncertainties of the early 20th century.

Quali autori inglesi parlano della guerra? Many English authors of this period addressed the theme of war in their works, including poets like Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and Rupert Brooke, as well as novelists such as Virginia Woolf and Ford Madox Ford.

The Modern Age mappa concettuale would include key elements such as:

• Social and political changes
• Technological advancements
• Literary experimentation
• Impact of world wars
• Shift in philosophical and psychological perspectives

This period in English literature, often explored in resources like The Modern Age Zanichelli pdf, represents a crucial turning point in artistic expression and cultural attitudes, reflecting the tumultuous changes of the early to mid-20th century.

The Turn of the Century and the Edwardian Age

The dawn of the 20th century ushered in significant changes in British society and politics. The Edwardian Age, named after King Edward VII who ascended to the throne in 1901, marked a continuation of Victorian habits while also witnessing the culmination of processes that had been shaping British social life.

Highlight: The 1906 election resulted in a victory for the Liberal Party, signaling a shift in political power.

Key developments during this period included:

• Continued industrialization
• Growth of urban areas
• Increase in population
• Extension of the transport network

The social atmosphere of the Edwardian era was characterized by:

• Tea parties in well-kept gardens
• Gentlemen socializing around wicker tables covered with white muslin

Vocabulary: Muslin - A lightweight cotton fabric with a plain weave.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the United States was embarking on its own path of expansion and industrialization. The American imperialistic policy began to take shape, with significant events including:

• 1898: Annexation of the Hawaiian Islands
• 1903: Acquisition of the Panama Canal Zone lease under President Theodore Roosevelt

Example: The rapid industrial development in the USA led to the growth of a vast immigrant proletariat, often crowding the slums of cities like New York.

The period also saw a significant influx of black people from southern states to northern urban areas, contributing to demographic shifts and social tensions.