Edwardian period facts for kids
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| King Edward VII, after whom the Edwardian period is named.
1901–1914 |
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| Preceded by | Victorian era |
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| Followed by | Britain in World War I |
The Edwardian era was a time in the United Kingdom. It mostly covered the reign of King Edward VII (from 1901 to 1910). This period also includes a few years before and after his rule. It ended when the First World War began in 1914.
Contents
What Was the Edwardian Era Like?
King Edward VII's Influence
King Edward VII was very different from his mother, Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria had become quite private after her husband died. But Edward was a lively and important leader. He and his stylish friends enjoyed new art and fashion from other European countries. Edward loved to travel. His visits to Paris helped improve relations between Britain and France.
Britain's Power and Progress
In the early 1900s, the United Kingdom was a very powerful nation. It had made great progress in science and industry. The British Empire was huge, covering many parts of the world. The Royal Navy was also the strongest navy in the world.
Britain's wealth during this time came from trade and manufacturing. Here are some of the main industries:
- Mining, especially coal, which was the main source of power.
- Making iron and steel.
- Shipbuilding.
- Producing cloth and other fabrics from cotton and wool.
- Making household items like ceramics and cutlery.
British companies built railways all over the world. They also supplied the machinery for these railways. However, other countries were catching up. The German Empire was becoming powerful. The United States was also growing into a huge industrial nation. By King Edward VII's time, both these countries were as advanced as Britain.
Society and Change
Most British people in the Edwardian era believed their country would stay powerful. They thought progress would continue forever. But the era ended suddenly with the First World War. This war was a disaster for many European nations. It caused huge economic problems and a great loss of life.
There was a lot of inequality in British society during this time. Rich people and poor people had very different living standards. Most adult men could vote in elections. However, women were not allowed to vote. Groups like the Suffragettes fought hard for women to get the right to vote.
Images for kids
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The British Dreadnought (1906) was a revolutionary warship. It had ten powerful 12-inch guns, advanced range finders, fast turbine engines, and thick armor.
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The famous Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens, London.
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A water jump during the steeplechase at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.
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See also
In Spanish: Época eduardiana para niños
