Edwardian Era 1901-1910

King Edward Queen Victoria reigned; after death, her son Edward VII took over He was the leader of the fashionable elite-highly styled, loved art Loved to travel

Edwardian Society Rigid class society Interest in socialism Interest in women’s rights, the poor Industrialization-increase in economy Upper Class: enjoyed leisure sports Lower Class: worked as servants (making between $1200-$5200 a year)

Science and Technology Albert Einstein began production of famous inventions 1st Nobel Peace Prize awarded The Wright Brothers flew for the first time First transatlantic wireless signals sent Automobiles were common

The Home

Fashion Modeled after royalty Upper class dressed elaborately Women changed clothes 5-6x a day Corsets were used to give women a “S” shape-all classes wore them (for various reasons)

Societal Norms Marriage was common-divorce was not an answer Upper Class turned a blind eye to adultery; it was common and expected Servants were common (and should not be paid attention to) Upper Class: well rounded (sing, dance, draw, ridding, etc)

Lower Class Life

Typical Day-Upper Class Wake Up- Servant brings tea Servants quickly eat and return to their masters Servant helps you dress, bell rings to meet family for prayer-family style breakfast follows Servants work all day and family eats lunch at 1pm Family participates in leisure activities and takes a late tea (5pm) Full dinner is served 11pm is bed time; servants have to turn off all the lights

What it was Really Like… Rich weren’t ashamed to live lavishly; a time of leisure A time of great inequality (servants provided the labor and the rich benefited) Great Britain was at their height of power Lower class remained poor-difficult to change social status

You get the idea… Life in the Lower Class http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYAqWnfclM&feature=related Life in the Upper Class http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cmaCOf4LMM