Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain - 1. A New Dawn - Part 2

In the first of a six-part series, Andrew Marr revisits Britain at the dawn of the 20th century. He finds the country mourning the death of Queen Victoria; fighting an intractable war against the Boers in South Africa; enjoying the bawdy pleasures of music hall; and worrying about the physical and moral strength of the working class.

There are stories of political intrigue between David Lloyd George and his arch enemy Joseph Chamberlain; the beginning of the struggle for women's suffrage; and an account of the day Mr Rolls met Mr Royce and kicked off a revolution in motoring.

With powerful archive and vivid anecdotes, Andrew Marr gets to the heart of Edwardian Britain. He brings to life Britain's struggle to maintain its imperial power in the world in the years before the First World War.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• History
• Britain
• Twentieth
• Century
• Andrew
• Marr

[EmeraldTriangle80]

@zezeoli At least your nation tries to educate its viewers on history. Here in the US we have a thousand channels of Shit and one lowly viewer-funded public television station called PBS. Be glad that 99.9% of your television isnt filled with people trying to be famous on reality TV shows

[zezeoli]

This is a "sexed up" and highly marginal characterization of History with a pathetic attempt to bring up only the fringes of decadence within Britain much to the liking of "post-modern" lefty-loosy... the notion that eugenism was a direct export is such a poor vision of human autonomy. Eugenism has been around for almost all time... "the poor were sick, unlucky and other things... what a notion! What utter snobism as usual from Public Service TV!

[zezeoli]

This is a "sexed up" and highly marginal characterization of History with a pathetic attempt to bring up only the fringes of decadence within Britain much to the liking of "post-modern" lefty-loosy... the notion that eugenism was a direct export is such a poor vision of human autonomy. Eugenism has been around for almost all time...

[toyotasera55]

@toyotasera55 Secondly, it was genuinely believed that the Boer (whites) would be safer in a camp then roaming the plains after their homes were burnt, then to face blacks in the wilderness. The disease and lack of care would have happened to any large concentration of people. A bit later on in the campaign, when conditions (which had affected troops too!) improved, the Boer would encourage their families into the camps for their safety.

[toyotasera55]

It may have taken lots of resources to defeat the Boers. However, it was not a straight forward war. It was essentially a rather good example of counter insurgency. You need lots of troops if you are going to divide the Orange Free State and the Transvaal into small guarded strips to make it difficult for the Boers to move. The concentration camp issue is unfortunate, however it kept everyone in one place, which meant those out travelling were probably Boer fighters.

[shortandstylish]

This is great stuff ... I also really enjoyed the History of Modern Britain as well ... renews my long lost interest in History!

[remeclerk]

and we blame the nazis for mass slaughter!?...shame..shame, those poor boers (and later Jews)

[madcapoperator]

The bohr war is the only real act of horror britain comitted in the 20th centuary. compared to the rest of the world we were pretty much as laid back as you could get, but wouldnt take fools lightly or refused to be threatened by outsiders. The best way to run a country in my opinion.

[beanabadger]

@Redbush16 Works for me now (with a different computer!)

[Redbush16]

@beanabadger nah me too!