Widespread changes that impacted on the ways that individuals saw the world.
Prominent Individuals
TS Elliot
Eliot was writing his poetry in the build up to World War One in England and was at Oxford throughout the wartime period.
He was unable to join the army and thus became an astute observer of its impact upon both those returning from war and the society at home.
In the period following the war Eliot became a mouthpiece for the pessimism and cynicism that overwhelmed the academic circles of Britain.
T.S. Eliot's poems "The Waste Land" and "The Hollow Men" portray the war veterans' sentiments and psychological state, as well as their struggle to adapt into 1920s society. As many soldiers left their homes for the war, the places they left behind changed during the conflict, as did the troops on the battlefield. As a result, neither the soldiers nor the location of their return were the same as previously. This had an impact on many military veterans and their lives. While many people focus on the war or the joys of the 1920s, Eliot's poems "The Waste Land" and "Hollow Men" address these topics as well as the problem of social isolation. Those who witnessed the conflict on their own territory felt a sense of disconnection. As a result, combat veterans might be perceived as empty men in society, living in a wasteland since the location they dwell is no longer recognised, and they no longer feel at home.
Impact on Literature
The First War surprised society into the realities of war, drastically altering the face of literature because it transformed the way people thought about life. The realities of a total conflict exposed the trivial nature of pure amusement and raised concerns about life and death, purpose and direction, justice, patriotism, love, and sacrifice. The tone of literature altered from lighthearted, happy story-telling to the sad reminiscences and pessimistic outlooks of a generation that had now experienced immense sorrow and suffering.
Thousands of poems were written on the experience of war, whether in the trenches, the wards, or at home, and poetry dominated literature at the period. Memoirs and diaries, in addition to poetry, were popular techniques of relaying the reality of battle, providing personal descriptions of the experience of being at war. These works are now significant resources for historians researching the history of the war and the experiences of individuals who lived through it. Following the war, a widespread sense of futility and failure
Following the war, a widespread sense of futility and failure fueled a trend in modernism as well as anti-authoritarianism and nihilism in literature and art. During this time, a barrier was built between the writer and the audience. The audience could no longer completely comprehend the creative since it had not gone through what the creator had gone through.
click to edit
Impacts on Great Britain
Impacts on Britain
Total war was not enforced until 1915 – the social structure was semi opposed with free press and a strong union movement.
Administrative roles are created out of the war – minister for munitions and minister for war production.
Military dependence on the home front to provide support such as food and logistical supplies.
Initially, the British had adopted a ‘business as usual’ policy – they thought the war would be over by Christmas.
Government introduced laws to provide authorities with the power to restrict leisure to increase and maintain industrial output and other war contributions. (Defence of the Realm Act – 1914 – Gov have powers to intervene in daily lives of civilians)
British manufacturing struggled – not prepared and reliant on raw materials, shortage of skilled labour, shell shortage.
Munitions of War Act (1915) – strikes were banned in industries vital to munitions production, labour disputes could be settled by abating volunteers, Minister of Munitions controlled wages and working conditions, workers bound to place of employment.
Rationing was introduced in 1918 as a precaution to ensure supplies to the front in the event the war carried on.
Attitudes to War
Initially overwhelming support, ignorance of modern warfare.
Unemployment, yearn to impress, promise of adventure, propaganda fuelled this support.
Rather quickly, patriotism disappeared, new soldiers were not enthused.
Trench life was the main obstacle to a positive outlook.
People thought it wasn’t worth the losses and distain for officers away from the front line.
People wondered what the war was about.
Resentment however, was not out of control unlike other European armies.
Great Britain Context
Britain has been fighting wars for the duration of the Empire.
WW1 is the first-time conflict has come to Britain since 1066.
Nationalism – worlds biggest empire, biggest navy, best trained army at the time. (1914)
British National security has been challenged at Sea.