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Britain in the first decades of the 20th century (1901-1929) - Coggle…
Britain in the first decades of the 20th century (1901-1929)
The Edwardian Age
When Queen Victoria died in 1901 her son Edward VII took the Germanic surname of his father Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
He brought new energy to the monarchy and, being related to most European royalty, took an active part in foreign policy negotiations.
He aided in the Anglo-French agreement of the Entente Cordiale with France in 1904.
Edwardian Britain
The Labour party was founded in 1906.
The Liberals won the general elections in 1906 and proceeded to lay down the first foundations of the Welfare State.
Reforms were introduced concerning: - old-age pensions; - sickness and unemployment benefits.
In spite of these important measures of social improvement, the Edwardian period was a time of:
industrial unrest with strikes;
violent protest against the high prices and low wages.
The New Liberal David Lloyd George (1863-1945) was Chancellor of Exchequer.
He introduced a People’s Budget in 1909 to finance social reform through a land tax and increased income tax, but the budget was rejected by the House of Lords.
This led to a constitutional crisis and an Act reforming the House of Lords.
The outbreak of World War I
In 1914 a Serbian nationalist assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, in Sarajevo.
War broke out between:
the Central European Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary);
the Triple Entente (Britain and the British Empire, France, Russia and their allies).
Germany attacked France through Belgium which precipitated Britain’s entry into the war as Britain had guaranteed its neutrality.
Britain declared war on Germany on 4th August 1914.
Britain saw the war as a fight for democracy and freedom and was supported by Ireland and the dominions.
Britain at war
Without the possibility of a quick victory, both sides settled into a war of attrition in lines of trenches.
Life in the trenches:
mud and rats;
lack of hygiene;
boredom;
fear of gas.
Shell shock: psychological effect of shell explosions psychological disorder.
Indecisive battles ‘over the top’ where thousands died.
1917 America entered the war on the side of the Allies this accelerated the German defeat.
1918 Germany signed an armistice at 11 o’clock on 11th November.
1919 Versailles Peace Treaty signed by British Prime Minister Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau of France, American President Woodrow Wilson and Vittorio Orlando of Italy.
League of Nations
American President Woodrow Wilson proposed Fourteen Points to work out the peace treaty and prevent future wars.
He also proposed a League of Nations but this was rejected by the American Senate
Armistice Day
At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the guns fell silent this was nominated Armistice Day. It is also called ‘Remembrance Day’ or ‘Poppy Day’ – as the poppy which was the only flower that grew on the battle fields, has come to represent the dead soldiers.
The day is celebrated every year in memory of the many who died.
The struggle for Irish Independence
The Easter Rising
The Commons had voted Home Rule for Ireland in 1914 but it had been suspended till the end of the war.
In April 1916 there was a rebellion in Dublin.
The rebels seized the General Post Office and other buildings in the centre of the city.
The rebellion was brutally repressed and the leaders executed.
Britain in the Twenties
Some people in Britain prospered during the war.
Manufacturers and those who produced goods for the war became wealthy.
Women, who had taken over men’s jobs during the war, gained a new economic independence.
The change in women was reflected in more masculine fashions and behaviour.
By mid-twenties the post-war prosperity was in decline.
Interest rates were high and exports became expensive.
The north of England, South Wales and central Scotland became depressed with huge numbers of unemployed.
1926 a General Strike was called.
1929 the Wall Street Crash affected the international markets dramatically. A global depression followed.