The Rebellion Against Victorianism
                                             
The 1890's was in time for transformation for the English society.  
After Queen Victoria died the heart of the Victorian culture seemed to 
fade.  England was beginning to experience economic competition from 
other states and a gradual decline from its former pinnacle of power.  
Politically, the Parliament experienced some fundamental power shifts 
after the turn of the century.  This essay will address the climate of 
change in the English culture and its expressions. The changes occurred 
in two separate and distinct time periods.  These time periods are the 
turn of the century from 1890's to World War II.   The second period is 
WWII to 1970's.
        The new century brought about an end to the old and stuffy 
Victorian life-styles.  The social stigmas of women and their behavior 
was challenged and change by the rise of feminism in 1910.  Women began 
to protest against the system for women 's suffrage.  One instance these 
"violent women" ran around in the city smashing store windows to get 
notoriety for their cause.  Books such as the Odd Women, featured a 
fictional representation of "professional women".  They were classified 
in two categories, both an attack on the social institution of  
marriage.  The first of these new women were out only for fun.  The 
second was the concept of an asexual being who did not need a man.  
These women owned their own flats and had various jobs usually 
secretarial in nature..  The book expressed an uncomfortable period of 
transformation.  Working women were not completely accepted by English 
society at this time.  The book portrayed different lives and how they 
coped with their situations.1
        The male character was also in a state of change.  This change 
brought about the term "new men".  These new men were classified by a 
"sexual anarchy".  This movement was predominantly a middle class, 
liberal expression.  Many were young male artisans who were homosexual . 
 The word homosexuality was created by an amendment  to criminal law 
which had declared all acts of sodomy as illegal.  Previous to this 
amendment the act of homosexuality was punishable by hanging.  Doctors 
and scientist had seen homosexuality as a disease, thus the need 
developed for a "cure".  Sexuality became all inclusive.
        There was a large aesthetic movement which was also inherent in 
this  "new" culture.  This movement classified art as being done for 
art's sake.  Art was now being viewed as separate from society.  This 
meant that art could be a personal expression rather than a group think 
project.  These attributes coined the term the "Decadent Movement".
        The England was experiencing tremendous growth in its economy 
and political change during this time.  However, this growth was also 
shared by to other rival countries, Germany and the United States.  
England had a fear of the massive economic strength of the United 
States.  England, at the turn of the century, was no longer the 
international hegemon it was a decade previous.  This caused the English 
look introspectly at itself.
        The political change occurred inside of the Parliament.  The 
conservative House of Lords began vetoing new liberal budget proposals. 
 Both the Prime Minister and the House of Commons were liberal in their 
political affiliation.  The vetoing created a deadlock in the 
government.  The Prime Minister and the House of Commons proposed a 
referendum which would nullify the House of Lords power of veto over the 
budgetary matters.  This was presented to the House of Lords with an 
ultimatum.  If the referendum was not passed the House  of Lords would 
be flooded with liberal Middle class citizens.  The referendum was then 
passed and the deadlock broken.  This shift of power was crucial in the 
infrastructure of the political system of England.
        World War I left a tremendous impression of reality on the 
English.  Their confidence was compromised due to the ineffectiveness in 
combat and their dependence of United States aid for victory. This is 
the true end of all of the glory held by the British Empire.  The 
English were left with a tremendous national debt totalling at $7 
billion dollars.  England would never be a hegemon in the international 
community again.
        World War II brought a feeling of unity back to England.  "The 
Battle for Britain" with the inspirational radio speeches of Winston 
Churchill inspired national pride to the British.  The period of decline 
enhanced by WW I, a large debt and the Great Depression had traumatic 
effects on the English psyche.  The civilian bombing planned by Hitler 
tried to enhance this feeling of despair.  However, it accomplish the 
exact opposite.  The children of England were sent to the country side. 
 These children were predominantly working class children.  When the 
upper class saw the state that these children where in the showed pity  
and concern.  Other factors which brought the populace together was a 
consolidation of national opinion, full employment and the previous 
mentioned speeches of Churchill.
        Thus, it can be seen that the period of 1890's to the end of 
World War II marked the end of Victorianism.  This end was achieved by 
both internal and external factors.  Internal institutions of 
Victorianism in cultural and social structures were slowly eroded by 
sexual identity.  The concept of "The New Woman and New Men" challenged 
traditional values inherent to the Victorian class Structures and 
morality.  The event of the two wars brought the external reality of 
Britain's role in the international community home. Both English 
dominance and hegemonic imperialism were curbed and set into perspective 
during this time period.