The first half of the twentieth century was of one of the most turbulent periods in Europe's history. While social theorists challenged orthodox ways of thinking about the establishment of a "good society," scientists offered up new visions of the workings of the universe. Women fought for increased power within the altered social landscape, and change and controversy reigned in the worlds of art and culture. The chaos of world politics ushered in the two great wars, which would forever alter Europe's position in the world. Europe, 1890-1945 offers a concise, accessible overview of this tumultuous time period. It provides a clear outline of the political events that shaped the age and offers a discussion of the seismic shifts in social and cultural landscapes. Topics covered include the rise of modernism in the arts, Social Darwinism and its effects on theories of race, the making of "national" identities, the origins of the modern ecology movement, and the changing roles of women in an era of war and violence. The authors thoroughly analyze the causes and effects of the two great wars, while reaching beyond Europe to discuss the events in the United States, Africa, and Asia that contributed to the evolving face of world politics. With nine maps for easy reference, chapter summaries to aid in reader comprehension, a detailed chronology, and twenty-four photographs, Europe, 1890-1945 is an ideal text for undergraduate courses that explore the crisis and conflict that governed the early twentieth-century European world.

Europe, 1890-1945: Crisis and Conflict

Business & Money

Winks, Robin W.

Adams, R.J.Q.

Business Culture

Oxford University Press

The first half of the twentieth century was of one of the most turbulent periods in Europe's history. While social theorists challenged orthodox ways of thinking about the establishment of a "good society," scientists offered up new visions of the workings of the universe. Women fought for increased power within the altered social landscape, and change and controversy reigned in the worlds of art and culture. The chaos of world politics ushered in the two great wars, which would forever alter Europe's position in the world. Europe, 1890-1945 offers a concise, accessible overview of this tumultuous time period. It provides a clear outline of the political events that shaped the age and offers a discussion of the seismic shifts in social and cultural landscapes. Topics covered include the rise of modernism in the arts, Social Darwinism and its effects on theories of race, the making of "national" identities, the origins of the modern ecology movement, and the changing roles of women in an era of war and violence. The authors thoroughly analyze the causes and effects of the two great wars, while reaching beyond Europe to discuss the events in the United States, Africa, and Asia that contributed to the evolving face of world politics. With nine maps for easy reference, chapter summaries to aid in reader comprehension, a detailed chronology, and twenty-four photographs, Europe, 1890-1945 is an ideal text for undergraduate courses that explore the crisis and conflict that governed the early twentieth-century European world.

History

Europe

Arms and the wizard: Lloyd George and the Ministry of Munitions, 1915-1916

Cassell

Bonar Law

Biographies & Memoirs

John Murray Publishers, Ltd.

Balfour: The Last Grandee

A scion of two great families, Arthur James Balfour was born to wealth and privilege and possessed intellect and charm in legendary abundance. On succeeding his uncle as Prime Minister in 1902, it seemed that he had come into his inheritance: a true grandee, his path to the summit of power seemed to be almost without obstruction. He held office longer than any other Cabinet minister and dealt with successes and defeats with similar equanimity during his 50-year career. Balfour was a Conservative but never a true-blue Tory like the powerful squirearchy who viewed him with awe but often found him difficult to understand. He was in fact many different things: a Scottish laird and an English sophisticate; a ferocious partisan and a celebrated philosopher; a champion of Christianity yet a defender of spiritualism; an Imperialist and a Zionist; an Etonian and a reformer of state education. His premiership was eventually destroyed by party strife, yet he was the maker of the 1917 Balfour Declaration as well as the 1926 Balfour Definition of the Commonwealth, and at age 73 he dominated the pivotal 19212 Washington Naval Conference. Balfour’s was a remarkable life, unimaginable today no matter one’s talents or wealth.

Historical

John Murray

Among those statesmen who reached the peak of British politics in this century, Bonar Law remains the least known. A Canadian-born Glasgow businessman, he entered politics in 1900; within four years he was a member of Balfour’s government, and by 1911 he was the head of the Conservative Party. In the twelve years that followed, he reunited and reorganized the party following three electoral defeats, thus preparing the party for the century of frequent electoral success that lay ahead.During World War I, Bonar Law put aside party differences to cooperate with the Liberal Lloyd George, becoming virtually co-premier with the ingenious Welshman, whose reputation as the man who won the war” owes much to their alliance. The cooperation of Conservatives and Liberals prospered until Bonar Law’s retirement in 1921, when tensions between the parties led to the end of the coalition. In 1922, the Conservatives turned again to him, and although his health was poor, he agreed to take the premiership, thereby definitively removing Conservatism from Lloyd George’s shadow.Under his skillful direction, one of the most abrasive and enduring problems of British politics was resolved: the division of Ireland was finally effected. Though in public Bonar Law was one of Unionism’s hard men,” behind the scenes he struggled for a compromise acceptable to Ulstermen, Irish Nationalists, and the British parties, a compromise that led to the separation of Northern Ireland.In this illuminating biography, the first in more than forty years, the author refutes the hard-faced and shadowy image that has long represented Bonar Law. In its place, the author reveals an effective political leader who mastered his party and the House of Commons as few others had done, while at the same time becoming one of the best loved men in the House by colleagues of all parties. Bonar Law is also shown to be a complex and tragic persona passionate husband, an indulgent father, and a generous friendwho was nonetheless a lifelong depressive whose private life was cursed by terrible losses.

Stanford University Press

Arms and the Wizard: Lloyd George and the Ministry of Munitions 1915-1916

Politics & Social Sciences

Politics & Government

Texas A & M Univ Pr

Arthur James Balfour was born to wealth and position, with intellect and charm to match. His succession of his uncle, Lord Salisbury, as premier in 1902 appeared to be simply another element of his inheritance.  Balfour was a Conservative but never a true-blue Tory like the powerful squirearchy who viewed him with awe but often found him difficult to understand. And no wonder: he was a Scottish laird and an English sophisticate; a ferocious partisan and a celebrated intellectual; a sincere Christianity yet a defender of spiritualism; an Imperialist and a Zionist.  His short-lived premiership was destroyed by party strife, yet in a renewed career he crafted the 1917 Balfour Declaration as well as the 1926 Balfour Definition of the Commonwealth, and at age 73 he dominated the pivotal 1921–2 Washington Naval Conference.  Balfour’s public and private lives were simply remarkable–unimaginable today no matter one’s talents or wealth.  ‘Adams is one of those disconcerting Americans who know as much about British history as any Briton. He writes with grace, intelligence and concision.’ - Philip Ziegler, THE SPECTATOR  ‘Adams is an American historian with a remarkable knowledge and understanding of Victorian and Edwardian politics. As in his previous work, a biography of Andrew Bonar Law, Balfour’s lugubrious successor as Tory leader, he skilfully interweaves his subject’s life with the politics of his age to produce a stylish and readable book.’ - David Gilmour, THE TIMES  ‘Professor Adams does a grand job of bringing to life the man he calls “the last grandee”, one of the more original Scots who've made Number 10 Downing Street their temporary digs.’ - George Rosie, THE HERALD

Leaders & Notable People

Thistle Publishing

Perhaps the least known of Britain’s twentieth century premiers, the Canadian-born Bonar Law entered politics in 1900 at the age of forty-two and within two years held government office. In 1911, he was elected leader of the Conservative Party and in the twelve years that followed, reunited and reorganized it, thus preparing the way for the century of Conservative electoral success that lay ahead.  Setting aside party differences, during World War I, Bonar Law cooperated with the Liberal Lloyd George, whose reputation as “the man who won the war” owes much to their alliance. The Conservative-Liberal coalition prospered until Bonar Law’s retirement in 1921, and a year later, the Conservatives turned again to him, and with little more than a year to live, he agreed to take the premiership and lead the Tories from beneath Lloyd George’s shadow.  In this illuminating biography, the author reveals an effective political leader who mastered his contentious party and the House of Commons as few others had done. Bonar Law is also revealed as a complex and tragic man—a passionate husband, indulgent father, and generous friend—who was nonetheless a lifelong depressive whose private life was cursed by terrible losses.  ‘Adams has written a scholarly and sensitive book which penetrates some dark corners of Conservative history and helps revive the humanity of one who frequently appears in the literature as a displaced company director lacking both humour and flair.’ - Michael Bentley, English Historical Review  ‘Fully informed, clearly written, and fair in its judgments, this is the biography to read to know Bonar Law.’ - George Edgerton, Journal of Modern History  ‘This is a fine biography, scholarly, wise and generous.’ - David Gilmour, Financial Times  'A model of lucid and authoritative political biography.' - John Campbell, The Independent  'This is an authoritative book… an essential work.' - John Vincent, The Spectator

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