Early 20 th Century Society and Culture

A Culture of Uncertainty Trends that had begun in the pre-war years continued after World War I Trends that had begun in the pre-war years continued after World War I The culture of progress what replaced with a culture of uncertainty, irrationalism and the surreal. The culture of progress what replaced with a culture of uncertainty, irrationalism and the surreal. In all areas of culture and the sciences, the accepted values of the late 19 th century came into question. In all areas of culture and the sciences, the accepted values of the late 19 th century came into question.

Study of the Mind Sigmund Freud Sigmund Freud Emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind in determining human behavior. Emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind in determining human behavior. Human behavior is largely irrational. Human behavior is largely irrational. Freud developed psychoanalysis to treat patients neuroses (behaviors caused by suppression of unconscious drives) Freud developed psychoanalysis to treat patients neuroses (behaviors caused by suppression of unconscious drives)

Study of the Mind Carl Jung Carl Jung Jung built upon Freud’s ideas and applied them to society as a whole. Jung built upon Freud’s ideas and applied them to society as a whole. Promoted the idea of collective unconsciousness that influenced society as a whole. Promoted the idea of collective unconsciousness that influenced society as a whole.

Literature Britain Britain George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw Know for witty plays Know for witty plays James Joyce James Joyce Stream of consciousness Stream of consciousness H.G. Wells H.G. Wells Science fiction Science fiction D.H. Lawrence D.H. Lawrence Sexually-explicit novels Sexually-explicit novels Aldous Huxley Aldous Huxley Distopia Distopia T.S. Eliot T.S. Eliot Playwright who wrote about the barrenness of modern life. Playwright who wrote about the barrenness of modern life. H.G. Wells

Literature Germany Germany Thomas Mann Thomas Mann Works dealt with sickness of modern civilization Works dealt with sickness of modern civilization Franz Kafka Franz Kafka Dealt with the alienation of the modern man Dealt with the alienation of the modern man Hermann Hesse Hermann Hesse Also dealt with the themes of isolation and alienation Also dealt with the themes of isolation and alienation Franz Kafka

Visual Arts Cubism Cubism Cubism explored the limits of art Cubism explored the limits of art First fully “modern” art style. First fully “modern” art style. Pablo Picasso was its originator and most famous participant. Pablo Picasso was its originator and most famous participant.

Picasso - Guernica

Visual Arts Dada Dada Artistic movement that put on noisy exhibitions. Artistic movement that put on noisy exhibitions. Showed the irrational and complex nature of modern life. Showed the irrational and complex nature of modern life. Focused on the absurd. Focused on the absurd.

Visual Arts Expressionism Expressionism Flourished in Germany in the years prior to World War I Flourished in Germany in the years prior to World War I Emphasized the free expression of emotion in painting Emphasized the free expression of emotion in painting

Philosophy Futurism Futurism Movement centered in Italy but spread to the rest of Europe. Movement centered in Italy but spread to the rest of Europe. Called the radical changes that focused the remaking of society. Called the radical changes that focused the remaking of society. Pointed out irrationalism of modern society and how it needed to be changed focusing on the possibilities of technology. Pointed out irrationalism of modern society and how it needed to be changed focusing on the possibilities of technology.

Philosophy Oswald Spengler Oswald Spengler Looked at society as a biological organism that had its own life cycles. Looked at society as a biological organism that had its own life cycles. In The Decline of the West he believed that Europe was in its death cycle. In The Decline of the West he believed that Europe was in its death cycle.

Sciences Albert Einstein Albert Einstein Developed the theories of General and Special Relativity. Developed the theories of General and Special Relativity. Destroyed the Newtonian world view. Destroyed the Newtonian world view. Showed that the universe was not as it appeared. Showed that the universe was not as it appeared.

Sciences Max Planck Max Planck Developed the theories of quantum physics. Developed the theories of quantum physics. Energy and matter are not all that different. Energy and matter are not all that different. Was incorporated into Einstein’s theory of General Relativity (E=mc2 Was incorporated into Einstein’s theory of General Relativity (E=mc2

Sciences Werner Heisenberg Werner Heisenberg Developed the principle of uncertainty. Developed the principle of uncertainty. The process of observing matter affects its speed and position. The process of observing matter affects its speed and position. Confirmed the uncertainty of the universe. Confirmed the uncertainty of the universe.