1. An Age of Uncertainty
Chapter 15, Section 1

2. 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

3. 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”

4. 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)

5. 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”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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?)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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,

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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