30.1 Postwar Uncertainty
Literature in the 1920s
Technological Advances Improve Life
People began questioning traditional beliefs. Society became more open and women demanded more rights.
Revolution in the Arts
Society Challenges Convention
Setting the stage
The increase of automobiles in WWI led to cheaper and better cars being made.
They came up with their own philosophy called Existentialism where each person creates his or her own meaning in life through the choices made and actions taken
The Existentialists were influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche.
They showcased their feelings in their writings, writing disturbing things about the future.
Questions
During the war it was a scarce time. Writers and philosophers questioned ideas about reason, progress, and were scared of the future.
Artists Rebel Against Tradition
Composers Try New Styles
WWI disrupted traditional social patterns, these new ideas lead to a new sense of individual freedom.
rebelled against earlier realistic styles of
painting. Wanted more imagination
Cubism in 1907.
Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud had an enormous impact on the 20th century.
A New Revolution in Science
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Impact of Einstein's Theory
The war allowed for women to take on new roles. These roles during the war were crucial in winning women the rights to vote.
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Founded by Georges Braque of France and Pablo Picasso of Spain
Transferred natural shapes into geometric forms
Objects broken down into different parts with sharp angles and edges
Influence of Freudian Psychology
Surrealism
Sigmund Freud was a psychologist and a revolutionary like Einstein
Alert Einstein offered new ideas on space, time, energy, and matter.
In 1905 Einstein formed and Idea called the Theory of Relativity.
Their clothing, appearance and lifestyles also changed.
Women abandoned restrictive clothing and hairstyles
Link dreams with real life
This would change how people viewed the world.
“Surreal” - Beyond or above reality
Dreamlike quality paintings
Middle class people as well as rich people could afford these better cars.
Q:Why did writers visions of the present and future change?
A: I felt like it was changing because of the war and the change in society. It had scared people and led people to wonder what was in store for themselves and for the future.
They wore looser shorter clothing and had their hair cut shorter
People could travel for fun, live outside the city and commute to work.
They also now, drove cars, wore make-up, drank and smoked in public
Q:How might have Nietzsche's ideas have influenced polititions?
A: His ideas were set on good morals and had good meanings. There was a reason they listened to it and it was because it made sense. Nietzsche wanted a better future and a better life and so did others, it was how they were going to go out and achieve it.
Airplanes also became a better form of transportation for the rich.
He believed that much of human behavior is irrational and the irrational part of the mind was called the unconscious
As women sought new careers more and more women were seen in medicine, journalism, and other careers increased
1919, first (British) pilots fly across the Atlantic.
Moved from traditional styles to more irregular rhythms and harsh combinations
Jazz developed by mainly African Americans in bigger cities
Lively, loose beat of jazz seemed to capture the new freedom of the age in United States and Europe
1927, Charles Lindbergh flies first solo flight across the Atlantic.
By the 1920s Freud's theories had developed widespread influence
How did the changes in women’s clothes reflect their changing roles?
1932, Amelia Earhart becomes first female to fly solo across the Atlantic.
Radios and Movies Dominate Popular Entertainment
Why were Einstein’s ideas upsetting to many people?
The changes in clothing reflected because it was more common for women to be seen out of the house and being more public. They were less seen as just doing things around the house.
Radios were developed and improved during the war.
How was surrealism connected with Freud’s ideas?
He was changing the view of the world and bringing new and different ideas to the science community which made them upset because what scientists believed to be true at the time was wrong and Einstein's was proving that what scientists believed was wrong.
Culture
Big cities put up radio towers and started broadcasting news, sports, and even plays/shows.
What aspects of earlier music did new composers rebel against?
Existenialism
The production of movies greatly increased in the 1920s and Hollywood boomed.
In what way were Freud’s ideas as revolutionary as Einstein’s?
Freud like Einstein was making people in his community think about things in a new and different way before which was changing how people view the field of their study in this case Psychology.
What goals were women seeking in the 1920’s
Women were seeking more rights and all around individual freedom
The most popular actor/comedian of the time was Charlie Chaplin.
"These advances brought the world in closer. Global prosperity came to depend on the economic well-being of all major nations, especially the United States"
What technological advance do you think had the greatest affect on society?
I think that the development of the automobile changed all of society. More and more people could afford these bigger and safer cars. People could also move to the suburbs and commute, or travel.
How might have WWI spurred developments in the radio?
In WWI, the soldiers needed a fast way to communicate with each other and the best way was using radios.
Supply and Demand
Communication
Change
Change
Self - Interest
They rebelled against the musical scales and soft harmonies
Conflict
Freud ideas were to repress the ideas of real life
Change
Culture
Diffusion
He wrote about reason, democracy, and progress. He wanted to have ancient heroic values of pride, assertiveness, and strength
His actions had great impact on politics in Italy and Germany in the 1920s and 1930s.