ISMS Flashcards
What characterized the early 20th-century context?
A period marked by rapid scientific and technological advancements that shifted people’s thinking and lifestyles, leading to social and cultural upheaval.
What did people begin to question during this period? A:
People started challenging long-held beliefs, traditions, and social norms, moving towards more individualized interpretations of life and art.
How did Darwin’s theories influence thought?
Darwin’s ideas on evolution and common ancestry challenged religious beliefs, particularly Creationism, and introduced the idea that humans are shaped by heredity and environment.
Summarize Nietzsche’s philosophical contributions.
Nietzsche declared “God is dead,” implying that traditional morality and faith in the church were outdated, encouraging individuals to find personal meaning in life and paving the way for existentialism.
What did Freud contribute to the understanding of human behavior
Freud introduced psychoanalysis, emphasizing the subconscious and exploring how dreams, instincts, and defense mechanisms shape behavior.
What major social changes came from the Industrial Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution brought changes in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation, significantly impacting political and economic systems, especially through the rise of capitalism.
Describe capitalism and its impact
Capitalism, characterized by private ownership, led to immense class divides and a focus on profit, which critics like Karl Marx argued was exploitative.
What did Marx propose as an alternative to capitalism?
Marx advocated for a classless system, promoting Marxism and communism as solutions to the exploitation he saw in capitalist systems.
How did WW1 influence the early 20th century?
Known as “The Great War,” WW1 was the first large-scale conflict to use modern technology in warfare, leading to massive casualties and a belief that such a devastating war could never happen again.
What marked the 1920s in the United States?
The “Roaring Twenties” was a time of economic prosperity, urbanization, and cultural change, but ended with the 1929 Stock Market Crash, leading to the Great Depression.
What were the significant events of the 1930s?
A: The Great Depression, high unemployment, and the rise of dictatorships in Italy and Germany, while the radio became a dominant form of media.
: Describe the impact of WW2 on global society in the 1940s
WW2 caused unprecedented destruction, with millions of civilian deaths, significant advances in nuclear technology, and shifts in gender roles as women took on more work outside the home.
What was the Cold War, and when did it begin?
Starting around 1946, the Cold War was an ideological conflict between Communist Russia and Capitalist USA, involving proxy wars, propaganda, and a nuclear arms race.
What is Symbolism, and what did it emphasize
ymbolism, originating in France in the 1880s, used symbols to suggest deeper truths beyond surface reality, avoiding direct social issues and focusing on universal ideas.
Describethe Expressionism and its main focussus
s
Emerging in 1910 Germany, Expressionism protested materialism and industrialism, showing distorted visuals and exaggerated emotions to reflect inner turmoil and social critique.
What did Futurism promote in the arts
Futurism celebrated the machine age, rejected the past, and combined multiple art forms, often confronting audiences to redefine their understanding of art.
: Define Dadaism and its central philosophy.
Dadaism, arising in Switzerland in the 1920s, embraced nihilism and rejected traditional values, using calculated chaos and nonsensical elements to critique society.
What was Surrealism’s primary aim?
Surrealism sought to explore the subconscious mind and dreams, using bizarre juxtapositions to reveal deeper “inner truths” often hidden by conscious thought.
What were key characteristics of Symbolist theater?
: Emphasized simplicity, mood, atmosphere created by lighting, artificial staging, and use of symbols over realistic representation.
Who were influential Symbolist practitioners?
Maurice Maeterlinck, who used marionettes to symbolize fate, and later works by Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov.
How did Expressionist plays represent social critique? A
Used distorted visuals, exaggerated acting, and symbolic staging to convey protest against capitalist society, materialism, and dehumanization.
What was the “Schrei” in Expressionism?
An exaggerated facial expression representing a silent scream, symbolizing dissatisfaction with societal complacency.
What was Futurism’s approach to traditional staging?
: Futurists rejected the proscenium arch and employed multimedia, blending performance arts like circuses and music to disrupt expectations.
How did Futurist performances engage audiences?
They often involved direct confrontations, chaos, and performances in the auditorium to provoke audience participation and break traditional conventions.
