Skip to main content

Why do historians refer to the period between World War I and World War II as the "Age of Anxiety?"

Paul Tillich, a theologian, coined the term "Age of Anxiety" in the mid 20th century to refer to the sense of meaninglessness, particularly in Europe, that developed after World War I. This war, fought between great empires such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Czarist Russia, and Imperial Germany (among others), saw these empires crumble by the war's end. In addition, the types of destruction unleashed by the war were new, such as the use of poison...

Paul Tillich, a theologian, coined the term "Age of Anxiety" in the mid 20th century to refer to the sense of meaninglessness, particularly in Europe, that developed after World War I. This war, fought between great empires such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Czarist Russia, and Imperial Germany (among others), saw these empires crumble by the war's end. In addition, the types of destruction unleashed by the war were new, such as the use of poison gas, and these weapons and violence also targeted civilians. After the war, people were faced with the destructive results of the war and with the political aftermath of the war. Germany had to pay large reparations that hobbled its economy and helped pave for the unfortunate rise of Hitler and the Nazis, and Russia embarked on a Bolshevik Revolution and Civil War. 


Some of the sense of anxiety in the inter-war period arose from Europe's instability after World War I, when so many old Empires were broken up without stable new systems in their place. In addition, on a philosophical level, people were faced with new forms of modernity, such as the changing role of women and the sense of meaningless that resulted from the war, that left them feeling uneasy. While the old forms of government and society had been broken down, the new forms were too new to be stable and accepted. After the Great Depression started in 1929, people were further destabilized, leading to the rise of Fascism and to the beginnings of World War II. 

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more