Transcript british-soc-lit-2-postwar-england

English 1061
Postwar
England
World War II (1939-45)
• Deadliest conflict in human history
• About 85 million deaths
• Involves 30 countries in the
Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia
• “Allies”: England, USSR, USA, China
• “Axis”: Germany, Japan, Italy
• Technological innovations of radar,
computing; but also atomic bomb
World War II (1939-45)
Because of mass conscripted and volunteer
armies, and because of civilian attacks and
the economic burden of industrial war,
everyone is affected.
To this day there are economic, political, and
demographic consequences of World War II.
England at 1945:
Rebuilding
Although the war is won in April
1945, England sustained heavy
damage and deaths from German
bombings. J.K. Rowling lost her
mother and disliked her father; it’s
not surprising that being orphaned
is a theme in postwar British
literature.
England at 1945:
Cynicism and Change
WWII is not as heavy a blow to Europe as WWI, but English cities are badly
damaged. As soldiers return, social and economic problems mount, and
rationing continues. Winston Churchill, after leading the country during
the war, is defeated in election.
The ideologies of the war (Fascism; Communism; Holocaust; propaganda)
and the bomb remain difficult legacies and issues.
English culture, 1950
Technologically and culturally,
by 1950 England is “modern.”
The country has cars,
television, movies, and early
computers. The beginnings of
a modern culture of consumer
consumption, fashion, and
music are forming.
The Rise of Popular Culture in England (1950s)
Teddy Boys
– Anti-austerity
English culture, 1960s
Despite its actual ‘empire’ shrinking,
England recovered by the 1960s to
become an affluent nation and a
fashion, music, and cultural trendsetter.
The Beatles
Rolling Stones
English culture, 1970s
The Sex Pistols
England was increasingly hurt by
energy crises, labor strikes, violent
conflicts with Ireland, and declining
standards of living in the 1970s. One
reaction was the ugly street-level
subculture of punk, a reaction to the
economic troubles of the younger
generation.
English culture, 1980s
Economic recovery was slow, and
England was increasingly split by a
cultural conflict between
conservative, traditional England
(pro-Thatcher) and a new vibrant
subculture of new wave and metal.
Immigration was also making the
country more ethnically diverse.
Human League
Judas Priest
Culture Club
English culture, 1990s
Although England had a revival of culture in the “Cool Brittania” movement
of the late 90’s with bands like Oasis, The Spice Girls, and Robbie Williams,
the decade was less eventful, although the country continued to become
more multicultural through immigration.