The Edwardian Era: (1900-1910)
"Edwardian Britain teemed with the excitement of innovation and change, and this explosion of intellectual and artistic energy swept Britain into the modern world." - Roy Hattersley
Major Barbara takes place during a major turning point in Great Britain’s history. The death of Queen Victoria started the transition from the Victorian Era to the Edwardian era with the rise to power of King Edward VII. Known as a “Golden Age”, Great Britain was in its prime as the most powerful nation in the world. People were very wealthy and there was no income tax. Society opened up past the restrictions of aristocratic birth to all classes. Kind Edward “opened the doors” to society, to all nationalities and races.
Major movements were started and produced great minds in the arts. Many writers, artists, and composers we consider “modern” started during this time, including George Bernard Shaw. Plays started to introduce a variety of new themes such as fallen women and class. Without the need of a passport, travel was easier and cheaper than ever. This era also saw the advancement of many new technologies in the so called “age of optimism.”
However, under the surface, everything wasn't as golden as the Edwardian age led us to believe. Up to this time, Britain was kept in isolation as the other powers of Europe fought power. It wasn't until the embarrassing Second Boer War ending in 1902 that Britain decided to rethink it’s outdated military strategies. This also broke Great Britain’s “splendid isolation” as they sought allies. 1902 saw an alliance with Japan was a surprise, but not as great a shock as their alliance with long time enemy France. An alliance with French ally Russian followed in 1907, creating the Triple Alliance.
During the Edwardian Era suffrage for both women and men became more violent during an age of political unrest and social issues. The right for the elite class in parliament was challenged as Nationalism clashed with Imperialism. Many of those under British rule in the colonies also question their current empires. While it was an era of much wealth, it was also an era of great change. Parliament began to pass lass to tackle some of these problems as they faced full political and social revolution from the people. Topics such as women’s rights and poverty come to light in Major Barbara.
Timeline/Important Events: http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/edwardianlife/timeline.html
http://www.20thcenturylondon.org.uk/timeline/1900-1909
Victorian Era: 1837-1901
Edwardian Era: 1901-1914
World War One: 1914-1918
For more information:
"The Edwardian Era." Edwardian Promenade. CHERCHEZLAFEMME LLC, n.d. Web. 5 Nov 2013. <http://edwardianpromenade.com/the-edwardian-era>.
Major Barbara takes place during a major turning point in Great Britain’s history. The death of Queen Victoria started the transition from the Victorian Era to the Edwardian era with the rise to power of King Edward VII. Known as a “Golden Age”, Great Britain was in its prime as the most powerful nation in the world. People were very wealthy and there was no income tax. Society opened up past the restrictions of aristocratic birth to all classes. Kind Edward “opened the doors” to society, to all nationalities and races.
Major movements were started and produced great minds in the arts. Many writers, artists, and composers we consider “modern” started during this time, including George Bernard Shaw. Plays started to introduce a variety of new themes such as fallen women and class. Without the need of a passport, travel was easier and cheaper than ever. This era also saw the advancement of many new technologies in the so called “age of optimism.”
However, under the surface, everything wasn't as golden as the Edwardian age led us to believe. Up to this time, Britain was kept in isolation as the other powers of Europe fought power. It wasn't until the embarrassing Second Boer War ending in 1902 that Britain decided to rethink it’s outdated military strategies. This also broke Great Britain’s “splendid isolation” as they sought allies. 1902 saw an alliance with Japan was a surprise, but not as great a shock as their alliance with long time enemy France. An alliance with French ally Russian followed in 1907, creating the Triple Alliance.
During the Edwardian Era suffrage for both women and men became more violent during an age of political unrest and social issues. The right for the elite class in parliament was challenged as Nationalism clashed with Imperialism. Many of those under British rule in the colonies also question their current empires. While it was an era of much wealth, it was also an era of great change. Parliament began to pass lass to tackle some of these problems as they faced full political and social revolution from the people. Topics such as women’s rights and poverty come to light in Major Barbara.
Timeline/Important Events: http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/edwardianlife/timeline.html
http://www.20thcenturylondon.org.uk/timeline/1900-1909
Victorian Era: 1837-1901
Edwardian Era: 1901-1914
World War One: 1914-1918
- 1900 London's new metropolitan boroughs created
- 1901 Smallpox epidemic kills over 2,000 Londoners
- 1901 Funeral of Queen Victoria
- 1902 Coronation of Edward VII
- 1908 Olympic Games at White City.
For more information:
"The Edwardian Era." Edwardian Promenade. CHERCHEZLAFEMME LLC, n.d. Web. 5 Nov 2013. <http://edwardianpromenade.com/the-edwardian-era>.