Introduction to the Belle Epoque This is a period of prosperity and peace between the Franco-Prussian and the First World War (1871-1914). The Belle époque was an era of cultural refinement, social elegance and general prosperity was characterized by the carefree attitude of the rich and industrial bourgeoisie and hope for the poor, particularly in cities. However, it was also a period of extensive social and urban upheaval, with the urban exodus to the cities for work, and the resultant overcrowding and unhealthy living and working conditions. This inequality led to many strikes by workers in a period before Trade Unions. Arts were important and it was a golden age for music, theatre, opera and the visual arts. Quote: The world has changed more from 1880 and 1914 than it has since Roman times.” (Charles Peguy, French writer) This period was marked by vast technological progress in many fields: mechanical inventions, communication tools, like the telephone (1872), electricity, the marvel of the age, exhibited in myriad ways at the Belgian International Fairs in 1897 and 1910, faster transportation (steam ships, electrified trams (1897), denser railway networks, the private motor car (De DionBouton, Minerva and Impera) and the first aeroplanes), radar (1887), photographic paper (1884), escalators (1900), huge advances in medicine: X-rays, vaccines (Louis Pasteur 1881, and the Belgian Jules Bordet (Whooping Cough vaccine 1906). Aspirins were to be found at every chemists. Did you know that Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic was invented in 1909 by Leo Bakelandt, a Belgian? Brussels social context: The vaulting of the River Senne (1867-1871) had changed the face of the medieval city. King Leopold II (r 1865-1909) oversaw the construction of many huge monuments, wide boulevards and massive urban renewal projects which led to improved hygiene (perforated toilet paper 1880), housing, lighting (light bulb 1878) and mains water. The first household appliances were developed (vacuum cleaner 1901). Organised leisure activities flourished in all echelons of society. The wealthiest went to the opera and theatre in their motor cars or picnicked in the Bois de la Cambre while the lower middle classes filled the music halls and vaudeville, travelling 3rd class on day excursions. The workers frequented local cafés and concerts and enjoyed open-air fairs and kermesses. However, the cinema (first shown in Brussels in 1905) rapidly became popular with everyone. Lifestyle: For the well-to-do, life revolved around such activities as shopping in the new department stores (Bon Marché, Innovation Grand Bazar and Old England), eating out and private dinner parties, sporting the latest fashions (providing the lower classes with employment making hats, clothes and elaborate accessories, with a lucky few obtaining a royal warrant). Sport became fashionable and was heavily promoted (Pierre de Coubertin 1986 first modern Olympic Games). This is reflected in the advent of the Scouting movement (Baden Powell 1907 and the promotion of sport in schools (rugby, football and basketball) and the invention of the bicycle with Dunlop’s pneumatic rubber tyre, this rubber was readily available from the Congo, the Belgian colony 85 times larger than Belgium. The End of an Era The feeling of optimism that pervaded the period was undermined by a certain political instability as the Great Powers were engaged in a re-armaments race, supported by the flourishing iron and steel industry. In 1912 the sinking of the Titanic with the loss of many lives on its maiden voyage was a symptom of this misplaced optimism in never-ending progress. When the Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated on the 28th June, 1914, “in a small country about which we know nothing”, (Lord Grey, British Foreign Minister) no one could have predicted that the Belle Epoque was about to come to an sudden and abrupt end.
Coal production tripled between 1985-1914, steam ships commerce doubled 1910-1913 1 citizen in 4 is European, industrial strikes for better conditions, advert of trade unions, first aeroplanes (Louis Blériot 1909 Channel Crossing), period of huge social change, medical improvement (X-rays), vaccines, aspirins.
1. industrial revolution is in full swing , 2. beginning electricity in new houses, electric tramways (1897) 3. advent of car travel – crowned heads of Europe travelled attracted crowds Belgian car mfrs: De Dion-Bouton, Minerva, Impera 4. large department stores : Bon Marché, Innovation, GB and Old England. 5. L II developments : Senne covered, cinquantenaire park, av Tervueren, Laeken greenhouses 6. 1900 : new goods station, Brussels port, tour and taxis (1907), canal 7. commuter railways, NS junction, tramways, 8. people : picnic by tram Bois de la Cambre; overcrowding. 9. famous architects, conflict with poor people 10. position of women in society (restricted by corsets), telephonists, seamstresses, typists, suffragette movement (universal suffrage 1919) 11. daily life cost of living (in 100 years multiply prices by 600) local craftsmen, street sellers and tradesmen, (rag and bone men, knife-grinders, white sand sellers (covering café floors – removed every evening) milk, beer and water street sellers 12. entertainment/food : Alhambra, Palais d’été, Monnaie, cinema, Maurice Chevalier, Mistinguett, Sarah Bernhardt, cafés chantants (Pitje 14), estaminets, fairs, kermesses, Alcazar (1867-1911 luxury theater, rue d’Arenberg), Vaudeville, Theatre du diable au corps (rue aux choux 12, 1900-1928, theatre and estaminet closed because extension of innovation, famous politicians writers, playwrights, painters; named after satirical newspaper headquarters moved there) street entertainment, magicians, chansonniers, accordionists, violinists, phonograph (1900), restaurants, receptions, and social entertaining, dinners. (Leftovers from good restaurants turned into stews re-sold to the poor.), Casinos/gambling 13. fashion (Plumassière (profession feather curler) Rue d’Or (=boulevard de l’Impereur) (for Leopold II) real ostrich feathers. (2-cornered hat) 14. Arts: Manet/Monet, James Ensor, Felicien Rops (Opera/Ballet/Classical music: Stravinski, Schönberg, Diaghialev, Picasso, Braque) 15. sport, racecourses (bois de la Cambre Longchamp) 1896 Pierre de Coubertin (1st modern olympic Games, and promotion of physical exercise in schools. Football, basketball and rugby. Scouting/camps founded in 1907 Baden Powell 16. world exhibitions :1880-1897- 1900 (Paris) 17. Business – banks developed, huge investments rates of exchange stable 18. Colonies – wealth to Belgium, France, UK, Germany, the Netherlands 19. Mobility – transport – goods – workers, Travel in different classes 3rd class holiday for poor. (Michelin guide founded 1900) Illustrations 105 estaminet