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