Topic 57: Great Britain in the era of the two World Wars (1914-1945). Most outstanding literary writers.

This topic aims to offer

an introduction to Great Britain in the era of the two World Wars, focusing on the life, works and style of the most representative authors in this period.

(Introduction) In general, literature of the time was influenced by

the major economic, social and political conditions, particularly the impact of the World Wars.

A new age had come, and after the First World War,

modernism and experimentalism became prominent.

British poets, dramatists and novelists constructed

a major literary tradition that would last for years to come.

What period does the topic focus on?

The era of the two World Wars in Great Britain.

What aspects of British life are explored in this topic?

The life, works, and style of the most representative authors of the period.

How did literature of the time reflect its socio-political context?

It was influenced by major economic, social, and political conditions, particularly the impact of the World Wars.

What literary movements emerged after the First World War?

Modernism and experimentalism became prominent.

What is the lasting legacy of British literature during this period?

British poets, dramatists, and novelists constructed a major literary tradition that would last for years to come.

What event significantly shaped British literature in this period?

The First and Second World Wars had a significant impact on the literary works of the time.

The First World War (1914-1918), also called

The Great War

The First World War (1914-1918), also called the Great War, was

an international conflict between the Central Powers-mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey- against the Allies- mainly France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and later the United States.

Central Powers (WWI)

1. Germany

2. Austria-Hungary

3. Turkey

The Allies (WWI)

1. France

2. Great Britain

3. Russia

4. Italy

5. Japan

6. Later, the United States

The war (WWI) caused

an unparalleled level of slaughter and destruction

Initially, Britain favoured Germany due to

royal family ties and shared concerns over France’s expansion in Africa.

However, after Queen Victoria’s death,

Edward VII distrusted the Germans.

In July 1914, the murder of an Austrian Archduke provoked

Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war against Serbia.

Palmerston’s treaty established that

Britain would help France if the Germans attacked and uphold Belgium’s neutrality.

What event in July 1914 provoked the start of World War I?

The murder of an Austrian Archduke.

Which country declared war on Serbia after the assassination of the Archduke?

Austria-Hungary.

In 1917, the United States

declared war on Austria-Hungary, primarily due to Germany’s submarine attacks.

In 1917, the United States declared war on Austria-Hungary, primarily due to

Germany’s submarine attacks.

America’s entry into the conflict was decisive, with

President Wilson sending a million troops to the Western front in 1918.

After defeats at the Somme, Germany requested an armistice but

Wilson demanded an unconditional surrender instead.

The Armistice (WWI) was signed on

November 11, 1918.

At the 1919 Paris Conference, the Big Four (Italy, France, Great Britain, and the USA)

created the League of Nations, though the U.S. Senate refused to join.

How did America's entry into the war (WWI) affect the outcome?

It was decisive, with President Wilson sending a million troops to the Western front in 1918.

What was Germany’s response after defeats at the Somme?

Germany requested an armistice.

When was the Armistice of World War I signed?

November 11, 1918.

What was created at the 1919 Paris Conference?

The League of Nations.

Who were the Big Four?

Italy, France, Britain and the USA.

The aftermath of World War I saw drastic changes:

• Four empires collapsed

• Reshaping nations

• And fostering electoral democracies with universal suffrage.

The cost of war (WWI) had taken almost all national wealth, prompting

the government to invest in housing, education and health social services.

How did the war affect national wealth?

The cost of war had taken almost all national wealth.

What areas did the government invest in after World War I?

Housing, education, and health social services.

The first Labour government was created in

1924

The first Labour government was created in 1924, though it

was not socialist since most leaders belonged to the middle-class.

Their main goal (1st Labour government) was to improve the financial situation of working-class

without getting involved in a socialist ideology, fearing the influence of the Bolshevik Revolution.

Their main goal was to improve the financial situation of working-class without getting involved in a socialist ideology, fearing

the influence of the Bolshevik Revolution.

When was the first Labour government created?

In 1924.

What was the main goal of the first Labour government?

To improve the financial situation of the working class without embracing socialist ideology.

Why did the Labour Party avoid socialist ideology in the 1920s?

They feared the influence of the Bolshevik Revolution

The cost of the war provoked an increase in

taxation and low wages, causing tensions between workers and the government which culminated in the 1926 General Strike.

The cost of the war provoked an increase in taxation and low wages, causing tensions between workers and the government which culminated in

the 1926 General Strike.

A serious economic crisis, known as ‘the depression’, affected Europe and America, leaving

over three million of British workers unemployed by 1930, especially in Industrial areas.

A serious economic crisis, known as ‘the depression’, affected Europe and America, leaving over three million of British workers unemployed by 1930, especially

in Industrial areas.

The British economy started to recover in the 1930s with

• The growth of the motor industry

• and suburban expansion.

The danger of another war, with the rise of Germany’s new leader Adolf Hitler, prompted the British government’s decision to rebuild its armed forces through

loans from the USA.

The danger of another war, with the rise of Germany’s new leader Adolf Hitler, prompted

the British government’s decision to rebuild its armed forces through loans from the USA.

What were the effects of the cost of war (WWI) on taxation and wages?

It led to an increase in taxation and low wages, causing tensions between workers and the government.

What significant event culminated from the tensions between workers and the government in 1926?

The General Strike

The General Strike YEAR

1926

What prompted Britain to rebuild its armed forces in the 1930s?

The rise of Germany’s new leader, Adolf Hitler, and the threat of another war.

In 1918 the Irish Republicans won in every region except Ulster and established their own Parliament,

the Dail, declaring the Irish Republic.

In 1918 the Irish Republicans won in every region except

Ulster

After the 1918 win of the Irish Republicans,

they fought a guerrilla against Britain.

The 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty stated

the independence of southern Ireland from Britain, creating the Irish Free State.

The 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty stated the independence of southern Ireland from Britain, creating

the Irish Free State.

The Treaty led to a civil war between

the Irish -the republicans-, and the pro-treaty, who accepted the partition.

The Treaty led to a civil war between the Irish -the republicans-, and the pro-treaty, who accepted the partition. Finally,

the pro-treaty side won, but tensions continued.

In 1932, the Republican Party (Ireland)

won the elections

the 1937 constitution

renamed the state Ireland.

In 1949, Ireland explicitly became a republic

definitely ending its remaining ties to the British Commonwealth.

What did the Irish Republicans achieve in 1918?

They won in every region except Ulster and established their own Parliament, the Dáil, declaring the Irish Republic.

What did the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty establish?

It granted the independence of southern Ireland from Britain, creating the Irish Free State.

Participants during the civil war in Ireland after the Anglo-Irish Treaty

The civil war was between the Republicans (anti-Treaty) and the pro-Treaty side (who accepted the partition).

When did Ireland become a republic and end its ties with the British Commonwealth?

1949

The pressure upon Germany contributed to

Hitler's rise to power.

He maintained promises of peace while

the German military force was being formed.

Britain, still recovering from World War I, followed

a policy of ‘appeasement’ to avoid another large-scale war.

Russia signed

a treaty of friendship with Germany.

What contributed to Hitler's rise to power in Germany?

The pressure upon Germany after World War I, along with Hitler’s promises of peace while secretly building up the military.

What policy did Britain follow to avoid another large-scale war?

Britain followed a policy of ‘appeasement.’

The war in Europe (WWII) began in

September 1939

The war in Europe began in September 1939, when

Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany.

In 1940, Germany

attacked:

• Denmark

• Norway

• Belgium

• The Netherlands

• and France, quickly conquering them.

Then, German launched

an air attack on Britain but failed to defeat the Royal Air Force.

When did the war (WWII) in Europe begin?

In September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland.

How did Britain and France respond to Germany's invasion of Poland?

They declared war on Germany

Which countries did Germany attack in 1940?

Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and France

What happened after Germany attacked France and other countries in 1940?

Germany quickly conquered them

What was Germany’s next move after conquering several European countries?

Germany launched an air attack on Britain

Did Germany succeed in defeating the Royal Air Force in 1940?

No, Germany failed to defeat the Royal Air Force.

Italy, allied with Germany

invaded Greece and North Africa

Italy, allied with Germany, invaded Greece and North Africa; however,

the Greek campaign was a failure, and Germany was forced to intervene.

In 1941,

the war in the Pacific began with Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbour.

In 1941, the war in the Pacific began with

Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbour.

Later, Germany broke its treaty with the Soviet Union by

invading them, which ultimately led to the Germany’s downfall due to Russia’s strength and brutal winters.

What countries did Italy, allied with Germany, invade?

Italy invaded Greece and North Africa.

When did the war in the Pacific begin?

In 1941, with Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

What significant action did Germany take in 1941 regarding the Soviet Union?

Germany broke its treaty with the Soviet Union by invading them.

In 1944, the Allies launched

the D-Day invasion

In 1944, the Allies launched the D-Day invasion,

pushing the German army into retreat.

By early 1945,

Allied forces were advancing on Germany from both east and west.

Germany surrendered in

May 1945, shortly after Hitler's suicide.

Meanwhile, in the Pacific, major battles and heavy bombing campaigns

weakened Japan

In August 1945,

the U. S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s surrender shortly after.

What weakened Japan in the Pacific in 1945?

Major battles and heavy bombing campaigns.

What action did the U.S. take in August 1945 to force Japan's surrender?

The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.