Britain in the 20th Century: 1906-1990

At the beginning of the twentieth-century Britain was one of the world's great powers and held the largest empire. Yet, nearly fifty years later Britain would be exhausted after having fought two world wars and had begun the process of decolonization. At the moment of its greatest triumph in 1945, Britain also began its period of decline, being overtaken economically by friends and former enemies. After another forty years, Britain had completely lost its empire and had undergone dramatic economic and social change. The course, therefore, will show how Britain evolved into a mature, urbanized, industrial society, which caused political as well as social transformations. The course will also explore how the welfare state affected issues of class and inequality.