Edwardian period The Edwardian period or Edwardian era in the United Kingdom is the period 1901 to 1910 , the reign of King Edward VII . It succeeded the Victorian period and is sometimes extended to include the period up to the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 , the start of World War I in 1914 , or even the end of the war in 1918 . Perhaps because of the King 's fondness for travel , the period was marked by an enthusiasm for the art and fashions of continental Europe . Class and society Socially , the Edwardian era was the period during which the British class system was at its most rigid , although paradoxically , changes in social thought , particularly the rising interest in socialism , attention to the plight of the poor and the status of women , expressed in , for example , the issue of women 's suffrage , together with increased economic opportunities as a result of rapid industrialisation , created an environment in which there could be more social mobility and people would become more liberal . This change would be hastened in the aftermath of the first World War . The upper classes embraced leisure sports , which led to rapid developments in fashion , as more mobile and flexible clothing styles were needed . The corset was modified ; its everyday wearing was gradually abandoned . The arts The Edwardian Period was also known as the Belle Epoque - meaning beautiful era . Despite its short preeminence , the period is characterized by its own unique architectural style , fashion , and way of life . Art Nouveau , in particular , held a particularly strong influence . In the United States , the Edwardian Period was followed by the Arts and Crafts Period in design and art . Theatre The theatre during the Edwardian Period is marked by the rise of the New Drama , or plays by George Bernard Shaw , Harley Granville Barker , and Continental imports by Henrik Ibsen and Gerhardt Hauptmann ; the decline of the actor/manager system as headed by Sir Henry Irving , Sir George Alexander , and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , which ended effectively with the start of World War I ; and the continued popularity of music hall performance . Literature In fiction , some of the best-known names are H.G. Wells , John Galsworthy , Arnold Bennett , Joseph Conrad , E.M. Forster and P.G. Wodehouse . Apart from these famous writers , this was a period when an enormous amount of novels and short stories were being published and consumed , and a significant distinction between highbrow literature and popular fiction was emerging . Among the most famous works of literary criticism was A.C. Bradley 's Shakespearean Tragedy ( 1904 ) . A selection of significant events 1902 : End of Second Boer War in South Africa . 1903 : First flight of Wright brothers . 1908 : Olympics held in London . 1909 : Louis Blériot crosses English Channel by air . 1910 : Creation of Union of South Africa . 1912 : Sinking of the RMS Titanic . 1913 : Suffragettes Cat and Mouse Act . 1914 : Start of World War I . ( See also Britain in World War I . ) 1915 : Failed British invasion of Gallipoli . 1916 : Battle of the Somme . 1916 : Dublin Rising . 1917 : United States enters World War I . 1918 : End of World War I. Influenza pandemic . Categories : History of the United Kingdom | 20th century eras In other languages : Türkçe 