9.14 - 20th- and 21st-Century Culture, Arts, and Demographic Trends

20th and 21st Century European Culture, Arts, and Demographic Trends

• Cultural Shifts Post-World War I:

  • Science and Disillusionment:

    • Pre-War Optimism: Before World War I, there was widespread belief in scientific progress as a force for good.

    • Post-War Realization: The destruction caused by scientific advancements in warfare led to a decreased confidence in science's ability to solve all problems, contributing to a philosophical shift.

  • Philosophical Responses:

    • Existentialism:

      • Core Idea: The world is inherently absurd, and meaning must be found despite this absurdity.

      • Notable Thinker: Friedrich Nietzsche, who famously declared "God is dead," reflecting the idea that traditional values were no longer sufficient to give life meaning.

    • Postmodernism:

      • Core Idea: All truth is relative; different cultures have their own unique perspectives and values.

      • Impact: Postmodernism challenged Enlightenment rationalism by suggesting that no single culture or thinker possesses absolute truth.

• Role of Religion:

  • Secularization vs. Religious Influence:

    • While Europe became more secular over the 20th and 21st centuries, organized religion continued to play a significant role in social and cultural life.

  • Church Responses to Totalitarianism:

    • Germany: Dietrich Bonhoeffer founded the Confessing Church, which vocally opposed Nazi policies, especially anti-Semitism. Bonhoeffer was executed for his involvement in an assassination plot against Hitler.

    • Italy: Mussolini gained the support of the Catholic Church by recognizing Vatican City's independence and making Catholicism the official religion of Italy.

    • Poland: The Catholic Church supported the Solidarity movement against Soviet repression, with Pope John Paul II providing financial and moral support.

• Second Vatican Council (Vatican II):

  • Purpose: To modernize the Catholic Church and respond to the changing world.

  • Significant Changes:

    • Mass could be said in vernacular languages instead of Latin.

    • The Church sought friendlier relations with other Christian denominations, leading to a revival of Catholicism in parts of Europe.

• Artistic Movements:

  • Cubism: Emerged around the turn of the 20th century, with artists like Pablo Picasso depicting three-dimensional objects in two dimensions, often creating nonsensical images.

  • Futurism: An Italian and Russian movement that emphasized the future and sought to break free from the past.

  • Dadaism: A response to the perceived meaninglessness of life after two world wars, exemplified by Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain," which challenged traditional aesthetic values.

  • Surrealism: Influenced by Freud, this movement aimed to depict the chaotic and unrefined interior worlds of humans. Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory" is a famous example, reflecting the disturbing relativity of time.

  • Architecture: The Bauhaus School in Germany focused on designing structures based on function rather than decorative form, leading to minimalist, box-like buildings.

  • Literature:

    • Stream of Consciousness: James Joyce pioneered this style in "Ulysses," where a character's thoughts are presented in a rapid, unstructured flow.

    • Kafkaesque Themes: Franz Kafka combined elegant writing with elements of fantasy, as seen in "The Metamorphosis," where the protagonist wakes up as a giant cockroach.

• Demographic and Social Changes:

  • Consumerism:

    • Post-War Economic Boom: Increased disposable income led to a rise in consumer products, making life more comfortable with innovations like electricity, cars, and synthetic clothing.

  • Baby Boom:

    • Post-War Population Growth: Encouraged by government policies like paid maternity leave and tax credits for children, leading to a sharp increase in population, especially in Western Europe.

  • Civil Rights Movements:

    • LGBTQ+ Rights:

      • Challenges: Homosexuality was outlawed in many European states.

      • Notable Movements: The Homosexual Front for Revolutionary Action in France (1971) challenged anti-LGBTQ+ policies and fought for equality, with varying success across Europe.

  • Counter-Culture and Protests:

    • Counter-Culture Movement: Emerged in the 1960s, opposing consumerism and cultural conformity.

    • 1968 Protests: Students across Europe, particularly in France, led protests against inequality, war, and government oppression. Although the movement ultimately fizzled out, it led to some reforms.