Britain during the Age of Anxiety (Ch.28)

The aftermath of World War played a huge role in Europe. Many European countries began to rethink and question values and beliefs that had been established during the Enlightenment. People began to reject these longstanding accepted ideas. New discoveries in physics, philosophy, psychology, and literature added to the crisis by opposing established beliefs. Additionally, the Great Depression had a tremendous affect on Europe as well. The depression began in the United States at first, but then spread to Europe. As a result, there was mass unemployment, which also caused psychological problems as well. Britain was forced to react to the depression taking place within its country. They focused on their national market, which played a crucial role in its recovery. By 1937, production in Britain had increased 20 percent. Britain managed to implement a successful plan that put them on the right path to recovery. While many other European countries were suffering greatly from the depression. This time period was full of many issues that caused a numerous amount problems to arise within Europe. Which is why the time frame is known as the Age of Anxiety.

The Great Break:War and Revolution (Chap. 27)

In the summer of 1914, Britain watched as relationships deteriorated and Eastern Europe tumbled closer to war. With the spark provided through the assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand, Eastern Europe quickly became engulfed after alliances brought multiple countries into what should have been a small scuffle. As countries all over Europe began to militarize in preparation, it seemed that Britain would be left out of the fray. However, after Germany invaded Belgium in late 1914, Britain felt the need to step in and take control. One primary reason for the escalation of war was the idea by each side that they could win quickly. Although alliances were a main reason for joining, countries like Britain felt they had superior military capability and therefore believed it would be a short war that was an excellent opportunity to gain authority. After entering the war, Britain was effected in all aspects just like all other nations. The social impact may have been the largest of all. With so many men sent out to the front lines as war escalated each day, women were thrust into the positions these men had once held. Social equality also became a reality as men and women could find work, bolstering the economy while improving rights for the lower classes. At the end of the war, Britain was quite skeptical. Surprisingly, they never completely ratified the Treaty of Versailles. Britain's main goal at the Treaty was to punish Germany viciously, which was eventually carried out with French support. The war also left an impact on Britain that would eventually plunge them back into war: after a war fought for such foolish reasons, Britain was left wary of war, eventually leading to World War II.

Britain During the Age of Nationalism (Ch.25)

With the rest of the continent in politic upheaval, Britain seemed to be the only country to maintain a peaceful and successful political evolution. A two-party parliament guided the country smoothly from liberalism to democracy, in contrast to many other European nations such as Germany, France, and Russia. British electoral campaigns became more modern with widespread voting, from the lower to upper class. The Reform Bill of 1884 gave virtually every adult male the right to vote, moving Britain even closer to a full-fledged democracy. Still, the unanswered question of Ireland loomed large in British policies. The Irish famine created unrest in Ireland and fueled revolution, forcing Britain to give certain concessions. Ireland was split between those of the south who supported home rule, and the north which highly opposed it. Britain failed to capture and control that elemental current of national feeling in Ireland, and the struggling nation moved closer to self-government. However, the momentous Irish question would be overthrown by the rising conflict shaking Europe, later named World War I.