William Tyler
Britain in 1913: The Last Year of Peace

1913 is often thought of as the last carefree year of England as the First World War began a year later. The reality was somewhat different—serious and mounting trouble in Ireland, increase in violence from the extremists in the women’s suffrage movement, and widespread industrial action in the English Midlands. There were some largely inadequate steps to prepare for war and some continuing social reforms from the liberal government, but it certainly wasn’t all champagne, roses, and the tango.