There have been more changes during the 20th century than any other century in history. It is a century that has seen revolutions in every aspect of life-political, social, cultural, economic and technological. When The Century Was Young chronicles the events and transitions that occurred at the dawn of the 20th century. Using a global perspective, When The Century Was Young provides an excellent examination of the early years of the century that has seen the world evolve into a global village. The sophisticated historical, political, and cultural analysis provided by When The Century Was Young makes it an excellent tool for the more mature student. It is appropriate for high school and college. It would be useful for classes on World History, Political Science, Cultural History, Ethnic History, Women's History, Geography, and the History of Science and Technology.

From the Past to the Future

From the Past to the Future examines the transition to urbanization and modernity. The effects of industrialization created a new society that bridged the old, rural way of life and modern urbanity. Changes in lifestyle, employment, infrastructure, transportation and social mores determined the blueprint for the new century, a century that bore little resemblance to its predecessor.

Vocabulary

• cumbersome
• solidarity
• deferential
• bane
• occidental
• taboo
• hedonistic
• functionality
• pompous
• facade
• vertigo
• anonymity

Discussion Questions

1. How did industrialization contribute to urbanization? Are they two distinct movements? Are they so intricately intertwined that you cannot separate them?
2. The rates of infectious disease in the early twentieth century were enormous. How did living conditions amongst the poor contribute to these high rates?
3. Sanitation greatly improved in the early decades of the twentieth century. How did better sanitation and hygiene contribute to reduced mortality and disease rates? How did personal hygiene change?
4. The era of modernity is one of machines, skyscrapers, trains and the like. What was the role of consumerism in modernity?
5. What was the influence of the new medium of motion pictures and its Mecca, Hollywood, on consumerism and fashion across the globe? How is this global transmission of culture representative of the era?
6. Why and how did the 1920s "roar?"
7. With immigration, migration and reduced mortality rates, the populations of cities exploded. How did the cities change to accommodate this infusion?
8. What were the transitions of everyday life from the nineteenth century to the twentieth century? How did race, gender and class affect these transitions and experiences?
9. Describe how labor changed with industrialization.
10. Women and children adjusted to factory life more easily than men. Why do you think this is so? How does this reconcile with the myth that women didn't work until recently?

Extended Activities

1. Write an essay in which you discuss and analyze the effects of the Transportation Revolution on twentieth century life.
2. Research music of the 1910s and the 1920s. How does the music of the era reflect the changes in society?

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