Video: Class, Capitalism and Socialism: 1912-1946

﻿Hello and welcome to our lesson today. My name is Miss Philips and we will be looking at the play An Inspector Calls by J.B. priestly. And in the lesson today, we will be focusing on class Capitalism and Socialism from 1912 to 1946. So, lots of historical context to cover and starting to look at the beginnings of the play itself. So clear any distractions around you, make sure you've got a pen and paper in front of you and let's make a start. Okay, so our key question today then, is what changes in politics and the class system took place from 1912 to 1946. Let's have a look our lesson structure today. Part one, key vocabulary and terminology. Part two, key context. Part three, reading and questions. Part four, applying our learning. Part five, review quiz. Part one, key vocabulary. In this lesson, we will be learning the terminology class system, capitalism and socialism. So, let's have a closer look at the class system. Definition: A class system is a way of dividing people into categories based upon their social economic or educational status. Lower class: This class consists of people that were perhaps homeless or unemployed. Working class: This class of people were employed, but often in poorly paid jobs. Middle class: This class live fairly comfortably and would usually have a job which offered some responsibility. Upper class: This class of people were extremely wealthy and were often refer to as the bourgeoisie because of their materialistic wealth. Capitalism definition, capitalism is a political, economic and social system, which enables individuals to own and control areas of production. It is a system which focuses upon making as much capital gain as is possible. So, if you would like to pause the video now, you can just jot down some ideas from that definition, when you're finished, you can resume the video. Socialism definition, socialism is a political, economic and social system, which States that all people are equal and should share equally in country's wealth. So, our key word there is equality and you might want to take an opportunity now just to jot down some ideas from that definition. When you're ready, you can resume the video. Okay, so let's have a go now and correctly identify our key vocabulary. How were the lower classes categorised in 1912? So, we've got two options here. Option one and option two. option one, the lower classes were often unemployed and struggled to survive. Or do we think it's option two. The lower classes were often employed and paid reasonably well in their jobs. So, I count down your answer. Decide now, do you think it's option one or option two? In three, two, one go. And the answer is option one, the lower classes were often unemployed and struggled to survive. Okay, our next question then. What does capitalism allow individuals to do? We've got two options here. Option one and option two. Option one, capitalism allows individuals to own and control areas of production and make as much capital gain as possible. Or do we think it's option two. Capitalism means that individuals will give away as much money as possible to the working classes in order to support them. So, make your decision now, do you think it's option one or option two? And I'll count down your answer in three, two, one go. And the answer there is option one. Capitalism does allow individuals to own and control areas of production and make as much capital gain as is possible. Okay, our next question then. What does socialism mean? We have two options, you need to choose one. Option one, socialism is a political, economic and social system, which rejects the idea of social responsibility. Or do you think its option two? Socialism is a political, economic and social system, which States that all people are equal and should share equally in a country's wealth. So, make your decision now, in three, two, one go. And the answer is option two. It is a political, economic and social system, which States that all people are equal and should share equally in the country's wealth. So again, our key word for socialism there is equality. Part two, Key Context. The class system and politics in 1912. In 1912, the class system in Edwardian society was extremely rigid. Those from the upper classes were forbidden to marry those from the lower classes. This sort of behaviour could destroy reputations. The extent of your wealth and your family name would determine your class. Those in the lower classes often experienced many injustices. It was a society that was ruled by capitalism. And you can see to the right there that we've got an image of an Edwardian style house. You can see that sort of wealth and luxury that capitalists would have enjoyed. The class system and politics in 1946. So, let's look at how things changed then for the audience that were watching the play for the first time in 1946. By 1946, the class system had started to become less rigid. During world war two, men from different classes had fought alongside each other in the trenches and this diluted class divisions. People wanted to work together to build a new society. and socialism was on the rise. By 1928, all men and women over the age of 21 were allowed to vote. This gave the lower classes more power in society. And you can see to the right hand side, we've got a British suffragette there with a poster persuading women to vote and being allowed to vote. So, you can see those changes taking place. These were the sort of changes that Priestley really wanted to see in society moving forwards. Political changes in 1946. The Labour Party won the general election in 1945 by a huge majority. Labour aimed to improve the welfare system and build a fairer society. Socialist ideology was building momentum in British society, and also in other places around the world. Such as during The Russian Revolution in 1917, in which communists overthrew the Tsar in Russia. Part three, Reading and Questions. Class conflict in An Inspector Calls. The Birlings represent the upper classes in 1912. They lack social responsibility, promote capitalism and are fixated upon power and material wealth. Priestley highlights the injustices and suffering felt by the working classes in the play. So, let's watch a short video now, which will just explore some of those ideas a little bit further. Here we go.

1912 upper class versus lower class. Capitalism, power, lack of social responsibility. EDNA, the parlormaid, is just clearing the table, which has no cloth, of the dessert plates and champagne. All five are in evening dress of the period. The men in tails and white ties not dinner-jackets. At the moment they've all had a good dinner, are celebrating a special occasion and are pleased with themselves. The Birling family are obsessed by material wealth. Gerald Croft gives Sheila an expensive ring. Only then, did she really feel engaged.

They wanted the rates raised, so that they could average about 25 shillings a week. I refused, of course. A man has to make his own way, has to look after himself and his family too, of course. The way some of this cranks talk and write now you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive. Community and all that nonsense. Okay, so you can just see then, some of those key ideas that are present within the play. You can hear the character of Birling. speaking some of those ideas in terms of lack of social responsibility and the capitalism that existed there. Okay, let's look a little bit further than the idea of class. The Birlings are a microcosm of the upper classes in Edwardian society. Class and reputation are vitally important to the Birlings. Priestley uses the Birling family as an example of the ignorance that existed amongst the upper classes. They often rejected societal responsibility. Class influences the Birlings behaviour and causes them to treat others appallingly. So, just to remind you of a microcosm, the idea of a microcosm means a small example of something much larger. So, the Birlings there, are a small example of a larger problem in society with capitalism. Reading and Questions. So, let's have a little look then, at Act one. EDNA, the parlourmaid, is just clearing the table, which has no cloth of the dessert plates and champagne, all five are in evening dress of the period, the man in tails and white ties, not dinner-jackets. At the moment they have all had a good dinner are celebrating a special occasion and are pleased with themselves. So, let's look at this question then. Look at the opening stage directions in An Inspector Calls. What does Priestley want his audience to understand about the Birling's social class? So, pause the video now. Take a moment to have a go at that question. And when you're finished, you can resume the video. Okay, so let's explore an answer to that question then. Priestley deliberately sets a scene of decadence in act one, in order to inform the audience that the Birling family represent the upper classes in society. The description of their "good dinner" and champagne showcase their gluttony and indulgence. So, what we're really talking about here, is this overindulgence in wealth or overindulgence in luxury. And we can see that, just from these opening stage directions here. This is how Priestley wanted the stage to be laid out. Okay, so let's explore some multiple choice questions then. Which statement correctly describes the Birlings class. Option one, working class. Option two, middle-class. Option three, upper-class. Option four, they were affected equally. So, I'll count down your answer. Decide on your option now. In three, two, one go. And the answer is option three, upper class. The Birlings are certainly part of the upper class members of society. Why does Priestley describe a wealthy dinner party in the opening stage directions? So we've got two options here. Option one, Priestley deliberately sets a scene of wealth in the opening stage directions, in order to showcase the Birling's capitalism and to highlight their gluttony and indulgence. Or do we think its option two. Priestley deliberately sets a scene of wealth in the opening stage directions in order to showcase the Birling's socialist attitudes and to highlight their charitable ways. So, make your decision now, do you think it's option one or option two? And I'll count down your answer now, in three, two, one go. And the answer is option one. We certainly see a scene of wealth in the opening stage directions. And this does showcase Birling's capitalism and highlight their gluttony and indulgence. There are two really key words there. Part Four, Applying our Learning. So, let's just remind ourselves of our key question. What changes in politics and the class system took place in the years 1912 to 1946? Your task is to write a short response to the question above. Spend at least 15 minutes writing, be sure to include context, political changes 1912 to 1946, contexts again, class system changes 1912 to 1946, reference to the Birling family, reference the key words and terminology. And just to the right of our screen. We've just got a reminder there of our key words and phrases that we've looked at in the lesson today. Capitalism, socialism, social responsibility class system. So, be sure to try to include those terms as well in your response. Pause the video now and spend 15 minutes responding to that question. And when you're finished, you can resume the video. Okay, well done. So, you've completed your task. Let's now explore a couple of answers. Let's first of all, look at the example answer on the left hand side of your screen. Priestley sets the play An Inspector Calls in 1912. This was a time when the class system was in place. And this meant that the lower classes were struggling to survive and the upper classes were rich. The Birlings are upper class and Priestley showcases their greed early on in the play. The play wasn't performed until 1946. And by this time the class system had started to become less rigid and people cared more about each other. So, let's just break down that example answer then. We've got some really good ideas in there. Key terms in terms of lower classes, upper classes thinking as well about the class system, which is our key focus as well today. But, we definitely need more development in this answer. If we take the part that's bolded in pink, the Birlings are upper class and Priestley showcases their greed early on in the play. We need to actually understand a little bit more about how their greed is showcased. how their greed is actually shown. And we don't have any information on that. So, that definitely needs more development there. We look at the last line class system had started to become less rigid and people cared more about each other. Again, we need to understand how, how do people care more about each other, how do Priestley show this and how was this seen in society? So, we definitely need more development in this example answer. So, let's compare that now to a developed answer. Priestley sets the play An Inspector Calls in 1912. This was a time when the class system was extremely rigid, thereby leaving the lower classes struggling to survive and the upper classes indulging in luxury. The Birlings are a microcosm of the upper classes in Edwardian Britain. And priestly showcases their ignorance and lack of social responsibility early on in the play, in order to make a mockery of capitalism. The play wasn't performed until 1946. And by this time the class system has started to become less rigid. Partly, due to the world war two, which saw men from different classes defending their country alongside each other. So, let's compare the differences then. in our developed answer, we've gotten much more explanation as to why and how. So we've looked at that last part of the response. We actually get some context there. The class system became less rigid because of the start of world war two, which saw men from different classes defending their country alongside each other. The idea of working together for the better cause. so much more explanation there. We've also got a term microcosm, which again makes our response more sophisticated explaining the Birling's position in the play. So, definitely a more developed response. Take an opportunity now, pause the video, take notes of the developed answer and see if you can use that to improve your initial response. When you've done that, you can resume the video. Okay, so we've reached part five of our lesson today, which is our review quiz. So, I'd really encourage you now to do your review quiz, which will test your knowledge from the lesson today, good luck. Okay, well done. So, you've reached the end of the lesson then today hope you enjoyed it. And I definitely know that you've worked really hard. And next lesson, we will be looking at how Priestley's experiences influenced his writing. So I look forward to seeing you then, thank you.

Exit Quiz: Class, Capitalism and Socialism: 1912-1946

Completed: Class, Capitalism and Socialism: 1912-1946

In this lesson, we will explore the political changes and the class changes that occured between 1912 and 1946. We also begin to explore political and social class in the play An Inspector Calls.

English

Y10 English

Key Stage 4

Year 10

Class, Capitalism and Socialism: 1912-1946

An Inspector Calls 

First Teaching

THEME

UNIT

Priestley's background

Staging the Play: Set design and stage directions

Character introductions

Mr Birling's perspective

Introduction of the Inspector

Mr Birling's interrogation

Sheila's interrogation

Sheila reflects and changes

Mrs Birling and her children

Gerald's interrogation

Mrs Birling's interrogation

Mrs Birling blames the father

Eric's interrogation

The Inspector's final speech

The family look to blame

The generational divide

The Inspector's identity

Hope for change and the younger generation

Collective social responsibility and class

English

Class, Capitalism and Socialism: 1912-1946

Video

Final Quiz

Lesson Complete