1. An Inspector Calls: Historical Background
Key words:
Capitalism – an economic system in which trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, and not by the state.
Socialism – a political system where wealth is shared equally between people, and the main industries (trade etc.) are controlled by the government.

2. The play was written in 1945 and first produced in London in 1946
The play was written in 1945 and first produced in London in It is set, however, in 1912; two years before World War I.
The Birlings represent a wealthy family who were thriving in that period and were ignoring the signs of trouble in the future.
Several references are made to historical events which Arthur Birling is sure will never happen, but which we know actually occurred.

3. Events leading up to 1912
Read the hand out carefully. This is full of information that will give you an idea about life in 1912.
Let’s highlight anything that may affect an upper-class business man in 1912.

4. The Titanic (1912)
The White Star ocean liner, designed for luxury cruising, was claimed to be unsinkable. In 1912 on its maiden voyage it struck an iceberg and sank people were drowned because there were not enough life boats and nobody had planned for such disaster. Its sinking is always seen as a symbol of man’s stupidity in thinking he can defeat the elements forever.

5. The First World War (1914 – 1918)
There were already signs that war was coming in All the European powers were fighting over trade issues. Russia was trying to expand in the Balkans and France. Germany, Britain and Italy were all trying to gain colonies in Africa and the East. Alliances were being formed: The Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria and Italy and the Triple Entente of Britain, France and Russia.

6. Women’s suffrage Suffrage is the right to vote
Suffragettes were women campaigners
for women’s voting rights (-ette indicates female)
Women in England had been able to vote until the 1830s, when changes in voting laws took away their rights to do so
Women were not able to vote between the 1830s and 1918; WWI helped accelerate the changes
The Representation of the People Act of 1918: only women of 30 and over, who met “minimum property qualifications,” were able to vote
The Representation of the People Act of 1928: voting rights to all women of 21 and over.

7. In addition, Birling refers to it being an excellent time to be in business. This may have been true to the employers, but certainly not to the employees.
Also, in 1929…

8. Industrial Relations
The gap between the rich and poor was immense at this time. Work in the large factories was hard and poorly paid. There were some 15 million people working as unskilled labourers and they had very few rights. The Trade Unions had little power.

9. Unemployment
There was no unemployment benefit at that time. The only option was to apply to the Poor Board which might place a person in the Poor House or to appeal to various charities for help.

10. By 1945…
The Second World War ended on 8 May The holocaust and atom bomb had changed the face of warfare forever. People were recovering from nearly six years of warfare, danger and uncertainty.

11. By 1945…
Class distinctions had been greatly reduced as a result of the two world wars.

12. By 1945…
As a result of the wars, women had earned a more valued place in society.

13. Copy into your books
Why 1912: DRAMATIC IRONY
One of the reasons for doing this was to use dramatic irony (the audience knows more than the characters do on stage).
The audience had lived through what Birling is discussing in his first speeches and would know that he is wrong and big-headed. This is the exact effect Priestley was aiming for.

14. 1912 vs 1945
If you find it frustrating listening to friends who get details wrong now, you can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for an audience in 1946 listening to Birling’s 1912 speeches…
Quotes: What does Birling
get wrong?

15. So why 1912? Why do you think Priestley set his play in 1912?
Can you link the play to any other texts we’ve studied? Explain your answer.