The Rebellion Against Victorianism Essay, Research Paper

The 1890’s was in time for transformation for the English society.

After Queen Victoria died the heart of the Victorian culture seemed to

fade. England was beginning to experience economic competition from

other states and a gradual decline from its former pinnacle of power.

Politically, the Parliament experienced some fundamental power shifts

after the turn of the century. This essay will address the climate of

change in the English culture and its expressions. The changes occurred

in two separate and distinct time periods. These time periods are the

turn of the century from 1890’s to World War II. The second period is

WWII to 1970’s.

The new century brought about an end to the old and stuffy

Victorian life-styles. The social stigmas of women and their behavior

was challenged and change by the rise of feminism in 1910. Women began

to protest against the system for women ’s suffrage. One instance these

"violent women" ran around in the city smashing store windows to get

notoriety for their cause. Books such as the Odd Women, featured a

fictional representation of "professional women". They were classified

in two categories, both an attack on the social institution of

marriage. The first of these new women were out only for fun. The

second was the concept of an asexual being who did not need a man.

These women owned their own flats and had various jobs usually

secretarial in nature.. The book expressed an uncomfortable period of

transformation. Working women were not completely accepted by English

society at this time. The book portrayed different lives and how they

coped with their situations.1

The male character was also in a state of change. This change

brought about the term "new men". These new men were classified by a

"sexual anarchy". This movement was predominantly a middle class,

liberal expression. Many were young male artisans who were homosexual .

The word homosexuality was created by an amendment to criminal law

which had declared all acts of sodomy as illegal. Previous to this

amendment the act of homosexuality was punishable by hanging. Doctors

and scientist had seen homosexuality as a disease, thus the need

developed for a "cure". Sexuality became all inclusive.

There was a large aesthetic movement which was also inherent in

this "new" culture. This movement classified art as being done for

art’s sake. Art was now being viewed as separate from society. This

meant that art could be a personal expression rather than a group think

project. These attributes coined the term the "Decadent Movement".

The England was experiencing tremendous growth in its economy

and political change during this time. However, this growth was also

shared by to other rival countries, Germany and the United States.

England had a fear of the massive economic strength of the United

States. England, at the turn of the century, was no longer the

international hegemon it was a decade previous. This caused the English

look introspectly at itself.

The political change occurred inside of the Parliament. The

conservative House of Lords began vetoing new liberal budget proposals.

Both the Prime Minister and the House of Commons were liberal in their

political affiliation. The vetoing created a deadlock in the

government. The Prime Minister and the House of Commons proposed a

referendum which would nullify the House of Lords power of veto over the

budgetary matters. This was presented to the House of Lords with an

ultimatum. If the referendum was not passed the House of Lords would

be flooded with liberal Middle class citizens. The referendum was then

passed and the deadlock broken. This shift of power was crucial in the

infrastructure of the political system of England.

World War I left a tremendous impression of reality on the

English. Their confidence was compromised due to the ineffectiveness in

combat and their dependence of United States aid for victory. This is

the true end of all of the glory held by the British Empire. The

English were left with a tremendous national debt totalling at $7

billion dollars. England would never be a hegemon in the international

community again.

World War II brought a feeling of unity back to England. "The

Battle for Britain" with the inspirational radio speeches of Winston

Churchill inspired national pride to the British. The period of decline

enhanced by WW I, a large debt and the Great Depression had traumatic

effects on the English psyche. The civilian bombing planned by Hitler

tried to enhance this feeling of despair. However, it accomplish the

exact opposite. The children of England were sent to the country side.

These children were predominantly working class children. When the

upper class saw the state that these children where in the showed pity

and concern. Other factors which brought the populace together was a

consolidation of national opinion, full employment and the previous

mentioned speeches of Churchill.

Thus, it can be seen that the period of 1890’s to the end of

World War II marked the end of Victorianism. This end was achieved by

both internal and external factors. Internal institutions of

Victorianism in cultural and social structures were slowly eroded by

sexual identity. The concept of "The New Woman and New Men" challenged

traditional values inherent to the Victorian class Structures and

morality. The event of the two wars brought the external reality of

Britain’s role in the international community home. Both English

dominance and hegemonic imperialism were curbed and set into perspective

during this time period.