The Edwardian Age Overview

Study Notes

The Edwardian period (1901-1910) marks the transition from Victorian stability to modern challenges.
King Edward VII's reign began in 1901, leading to notable social reforms by the Liberal government.
Key acts include the 1908 Old-Age Pensions Act and the 1911 National Insurance Act.

Internal divisions within the Liberal Party fostered the rise of the Labour Party and recognition of trade unions.
Significant political issues revolved around the Irish question, women's suffrage, and the economic growth of the U.S. and Germany.
Landmark events included the Easter Rising in Ireland and militant actions from the suffragette movement.

The economy experienced contrasts, with Britain's imperial expansion overshadowed by the U.S. and Germany's economic ascendance.
Tensions among these nations contributed to the onset of World War I, recognized as a turning point in human history.

Edwardian literature spanned from 1901 to 1910, with some historians arguing it extended to 1918 due to gradual shifts in literary trends.
Notable literary changes included:
- The awarding of the first Nobel Prizes in 1901.
- The impact of the Second Boer War (1902), which divided public opinion in Britain.
- The establishment of the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903.
- The first Freudian psychology congress held in Salzburg in 1908.
- Advances in science and technology, such as Guglielmo Marconi's transatlantic wireless signals and the Wright brothers' first flight in 1908.

The changing economy gave rise to new wealth, leading to greater indulgence in fashion, cuisine, and travel in literature.
Advances in science and technology, including automobiles and film, opened new artistic possibilities.
Writers became increasingly critical of authority, contrasting sharply with the submissiveness of Victorian writers.
The rigid British class system persisted, but women's issues and the struggles of the poor gained prominence in literary works.

The focus on moral conduct and prudery lessened, giving way to a broader awareness of human rights and societal issues.
The Edwardian Age set the stage for the upcoming cultural shifts of the Belle Époque and the Roaring Twenties, juxtaposing glamour with the looming Great Depression.