An Age of Uncertainty Chapter 15, Section 1

Science Challenges Old Ideas We have seen this concept before Two figures will emerge to challenge the ideas of old Some of the most important ideas since the enlightenment

Einstein Albert Einstein Born in Germany Physicist Created new ideas in: space, time, energy, matter He creates the theory of relativity in 1905 This challenges the Newton's absolute laws with one of uncertainty and “if then”

Freud Sigmund Freud Treated the “mentally ill” Austrian Physician Treated the “mentally ill” He concludes, among other things, the people are irrational The unconscious (irrational/pleasure seeking) mind vs conscious mind (Conforms)

Literature in an Age of Doubt The War really messed with people Once the world was certain, now it is all in question Soon writers create unsettling worlds of the present and future in their books T.S. Eliot – American poet, Western society lost its spiritual values. Barren waste land Will Yeats “The center cannot hold”

Thinkers react to Uncertainties Trying to make sense of a world turned on its head many turn to existentialism There is no universal meaning to life Actions/choices you take creates your life Friedrich Nietzsche Too much stress on reason, democracy, progress Cannot react on emotion and instinct Individuality and creativity suffer His ideas (Superhumans) impact a group in Germany later on

Writers Reflect Society’s Concerns Czech Born writer Franz Kafka writes The Trial and The Castle: People placed in threatening situations they neither understand nor escape James Joyce takes writing into the human mind Follows Freud’s assertion of the unconscious mind

Painters Break Away from Tradition Realistic out, expression in Expressionism deals with emotions Objects resemble stuff in the real world but are distorted to fit emotions of the Artist Dada movement – became a protest, established values have no meaning after WWI Surrealism – Link dreams and real world (Freud?)

Architects Move in New Direction Traditional architecture is rejected and a new form comes to be Building are designed to be functional not ornate Frank Lloyd Wright pioneered this style Low lines, open interiors, blend into surroundings

Composers Try New Styles Traditional out The big style to come out during this time is jazz Mainly developed by African Americans Became huge in America and Europe Captured the freedom of the day Shocked society

Society Becomes More Open In the 1920’s the youth breaks away from tradition They follow values different from their parents First “youth-rebellion” of the 20th century Women change the most? War = factories/new opportunity Women can vote Get rid of restrictive hairstyles and clothing Birth control, new jobs, equal rights in family,

Technology Changes Life WWI contributes greatly to technological innovation Many wars have created new things that transition into daily life

Automobile Advancements: Autos were just for the rich before the war Electric starters, air tires, better engines, better looking Autos were just for the rich before the war Production increased due to war efforts What happens if there are more being made? People travel more, new businesses Hotel, campgrounds, gas stations People move away from the cities into the Suburbs

Airplanes Transform Travel Before the war, delivered mail. After = people Charles Lindbergh – first to fly directly across the Atlantic Ocean Most of the world’s major airline companies are formed in the 1920’s

Radio Reaches Millions Guglielmo Marconi creates? Radio in 1895 WWI advanced radio at a break neck pace Why? Radio broadcast are listened to every night by society News, sports, entertainment American radio was not owned by gov Europe was, thanks BBC

Movies Became a major industry In Europe movies are art forms and explore deeper issues Hollywood = 90% of movies are made, entertainment Comedies are the leading brand of movie so Americans can “escape” for their daily lives