Round Square History Lab - The Roaring 20s

Round Square History Lab - The Roaring 20s

On Thursday 8 February, a group of Upper Four students (Courtney, Isabella, Charlotte and Carmen) participated in another Round Square History Lab – a student-led virtual event where approximately 110 students from 21 schools in 10 countries discussed their respective understanding of the ‘Roaring 20s’.

Courtney, Isabella, Charlotte and Carmen threw themselves into the opportunity to speak with their peers across the world. Participating countries included Kenya, Canada, Colombia, Namibia, South Africa, UAE, Ecuador and India.

Each of our students presented to this global audience an overview of the ways in which the UK changed during the 1920s politically, economically, socially and technologically. Our students spoke confidently about liberating fashions for women and the BBC’s first broadcast in 1922, to the emergence of the Labour Party and greater accessibility to free education. They also went on to pose questions such as ‘whilst the 1920s is generally viewed in the UK as a positive and progressive period, where else in the world is the representation and memory of this decade less positive?’ This insightful question stimulated discussion about different countries emerging from WWI in different ways. Germany for example, suffered significantly under the debilitating terms of the Treaty of Versailles, whilst the dominance of imperial powers meant that, for countries such as India, the desire and struggle for self-determination shaped this decade as opposed to certain western powers who had the luxury of being able to enjoy the cultural and social progressiveness of this era.  

The session ended with reflections from various students, with several suggesting that whilst so many of us around the world remember the 20s for its parties and prosperity, it was really only a certain set of elites who enjoyed this experience. In fact, students from Ecuador referenced Pablo Palacio’s 1927 short story ‘Un Hombre Muerto a Puntapies’ as a powerful insight into the social inequalities of the time, but also as a progressive text, perhaps the first from Latin America to reference alternative sexualities.

It is precisely such insights and contrasting perspectives - broadening our horizons and enriching our understanding - that make participation in these Round Square events so valuable and enjoyable.

We are looking forward to participating in a final History Lab on Thursday 22 February, on historic leaders, and then to planning our own Round Square ‘Postcard’ on traceability and Fairtrade. More news to follow on link-ups with schools across the global network through exchanges, conferences and collaborations. If you would like to know more, please contact Victoria Kay-Barrero at [email protected]