These Songs of Freedom- Britain 1848 - 1939 Stories of Rebellion, Uprising and Identity Change, Through the Songs They Inspired

This course is for anyone with an interest in how millions of ordinary and largely unknown people have united to face up to injustice, unfairness and inequality in the past. No musical talent is needed but an interest in how the past shapes the present and can influence the future and, indeed, our own values and goals, certainly would help. From the music, we will explore a range of issues and events, organisations and leaders who shaped life in Britain and, through its Empire, around the world.  

For the first session students will need an open mind and a desire to learn

Additional Costs: N/A

The course aims:

 We live in an age of uncertainty on many issues and, not for the first time in history, people demand change – something must be done. Our ancestors faced their own challenges and many of their struggles have been kept alive through songs and music. Those struggles were often hard fought, opposed by the established orders; many of them failed, many people lost their land, liberty and life itself, but change did happen. The music and songs are part of the legacy that allows to remember these events and to consider how and why people struggled for their freedom in the UK and around the world. The songs keep the stories alive.

 The Course will cover many topics including:

• The campaign for female suffrage and the struggle for democracy
• The changing political landscape including the rise of the Labour Party and the impact on the Conservative and Liberal parties
• Industry and work: mining and shipping disasters, suffering at work, the rise of trades unions
• Ruling the world: Britain’s Empire and its impact on the world stage
• Home Rule: Challenges to Westminster’s control of the United Kingdom
• Britain at war, including the Boer War, the Great War and World War II
• Inter-war tensions: the rise of Communism and Fascism in the UK
• Social change: family life, religion and the churches, changing personal relationships, poverty, treatment of the vulnerable