Figure 27. Picture display: This building in London's East End was completely destroyed in a German attack. Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1061691/Revealed-Pistol-sparked-World-War-One-goes-display-Britain-time.html

What was the political situation in Britain like? According to Barrett (1997), Britain emerged the victor from the Boer War; still, its global respect was damaged. Other countries such as the USA, France and Germany rose in power and became strong rivals. The might of Germany evoked dread and an alliance between France and Britain was formed. And now, the peaceful times of Queen Victoria were destroyed and the First World War broke up in 1914 during the reign of Edward VII. This war devoured many innocent lives of young people and the promises of getting new lands were unfulfilled and poor living conditions and unemployment were to be found after the war. Next, as Jones (2013) maintains, during this war, the citizens experienced the direct attack, as Zeppelins bombed the city. Still, London being surrounded by waters was not an easy target and finding the city posed a problem. The war brought new changes, as after the war, public transport was developed and the stratification started to decline, for many men were killed.

            Besides, as Barrett (1997) maintains, the XX century was also the era of Jazz. Those who were rich and lived in the times of the Roaring Twenties enjoyed themselves by listening to a new type of music. New trends, such as cocktail dresses, silent films that came from oversees, and new types of writing popularized by Virginia Woolf and D. H. Lawrence were to be found. Still, after the Wall Street Crash, Britain was engulfed by Great Depression. George V, called Edward VII died and his son was the king only for a short while, as Edward VIII being in love with Wallis Simpson married her and had to give up the throne. His brother George VI was chosen the king and along with his wife Elizabeth became the most popular royal couple, for they had helped the needy during attacks of Germany.

            Barrett (1997) shows that  the Second World War began in 1939 and London was completely changed, as a result of bombing many buildings were destroyed. The lives of people were harsh, as they were only a few safe places, and moreover they were separated from their families. The war also contributed to the demise of the empire that Britain used to be. What made matters worse, all colonies, one by one became independent, though some of them still exist in the Commonwealth. As Jones (2013) points out, the Second World War altered London. The year 1941 was the period of bombing and the blitz occurred and because of that even at night the bombs were dropped. Residents were forced to get accustomed to staying at public shelters, or in stations located under the ground.

        According to Barrett (1997), in spite of the end of war, there was still anxiety, for Britain engaged in war against North Korea in 1950 and  fought with Egypt in 1956. Moreover, this period was an era of Cold War and it led to Britain’s invention of hydrogen bomb. Nevertheless, there was the other side of the coin, as in  1947 a festival of music and drama occurred in Edinburgh,  which was later followed by the Festival of Britain in London. In the second half of the XX century, economical situation and living conditions improved. More and more people were buying various goods, such as TV or cars. Schools sprang up, education became more important and moreover, the entertainment industry grew in popularity and music, films emerged. The Swinging Sixties were the times of permissiveness, freedom, optimism and entertainment. However, by the end of the 1960s pessimism started to return, as the prices of oil along with the standard of living rose and high inflation was beginning to appear. Next, both Wales and Scotland started to feel their distinctiveness and national feelings were omnipresent. In the 1980s Margaret Thatcher was chosen to be the prime minister and during her governance Britain flourished and the Docklands in London were perceived as the emblem of this period. Later in the 1990s there was a return of Recession and the previous prosperity began to fall. Still, problems remained: European Union was not without distrust, Royalty was in the centre of attention, there was an increase in national feelings in Wales and Scotland, economy was weak, industry diminished. However, these problems are not unusual and for the UK, who is like a raging sea that flows in perpetuity, it was a sign that the country was still doing well.