-
The stock market crash of 1929
In October of 1929, the Stock Market crashed. Many people were devastated economically. ("Farming in the 30's"). This may have had an impact on William Golding writing the novel and the content within it. -
Growing U.S. and farm populations.
Total U.S. population is about 123 million. ("Farming in the 30's"). Since the U.S. was an ally to the British in WWII, this directly affects Golding as the United States helped the allies to win the war. -
Adolf Hitler becomes the chancellor of Germany.
In 1933, Hitler becomes chancellor Germany. This has strong relations to World War II, and WWII was clearly a motivating factor in the writing of Lord of the Flies. Golding alludes to WWII various times throughout the novel. For example, “Not them. Didn’t you hear what the pilot said? About the atom bomb? They’re all dead.” (Golding 16). -
Advancements in engineering
Advancements in engineering such as the dams created by the Tennessee Valley Authority are common. ("Farming in the 30's"). These advancements spread to other countries like Britain, directly impacting Golding. -
BCC starts a TV service
In 1936, the British Broadcasting Corporation started a television service ("Farming in the 30's"). This likely impacted Golding in one way or another especially with WWII closing in and restricting development of TV for about a decade. -
Cook County Hospital opens a blood bank
The opening of this blood bank was imperative for success during WWII, which Golding was directly involved in. ("Farming in the 30's"). -
The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is a war fought between the British and Germans. This directly affected Golding, as this is where he lived. ("The War Years"). Golding joined the navy in 1940. -
Dunkirk Evacuation
A devastating blow, Britain was forced to retreat from France. This directly affected Golding as he experienced the war directly and was in the Royal Navy. ("The War Years"). -
Katyn Forest Massacre
This war-related massacre involved the slaughter of Polish prisoners of war by the Soviets. ("The War Years"). These war horrors possibly had an affect on Golding and his novel. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
An ally to Britain, Pearl Harbor in the United States was bombed. ("The War Years"). This directly impacted Golding, and he may even allude to it in the novel. For example, “Not them. Didn’t you hear what the pilot said? About the atom bomb? They’re all dead.” (Golding 16)." -
The Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was essentially an arms race against Germany to create atomic bombs. “Not them. Didn’t you hear what the pilot said? About the atom bomb? They’re all dead.” (Golding 16). This directly relates to Golding as he clearly alludes to it in the novel. -
Anne Frank Goes into Hiding
With the continuation of WWII, Anne Frank goes into hiding. ("The War Years"). -
Bataan Death March
American and Filipino Prisoners of War are marched across a large stretch of land, some to their death. -
Warsaw Ghetto
The Warsaw Ghetto happens and French Resistance leader Jean Moulin is killed. ("The War Years"). -
Italy Joins the Allies.
As WWII progresses, Italy decides to join the Allied forces. ("The War Years"). -
D-Day
Another war related event, D-Day was when the allies arrived in Normandy ready to liberate Europe from Nazis. ("The War Years"). -
Hitler avoids an assassination attempt.
Hitler avoids being killed and German V1 and V2 rockets are fired for the first time. ("The War Years"). -
The end of WWII
World War II ends in Europe in 1945. ("The War Years"). This likely had a great impact on Golding, as the war he has been fighting in is finally over. -
Hitler commits suicide
Hitler commits suicide and the Axis powers surrender. ("The War Years"). -
The United States bombs Japan
During the ending stretch of WWII, the United States bombs Hiroshima and Nagasaki. ("Historical Events in the 1940s"). -
The Nuremberg Trials Begin
Trials designed to punish Nazi war criminals begin. -
Color TV introduced
Color TV is introduced. ("Major events of the 1950s"). This may in some way, through what he had viewed, have given Golding inspiration for the layout of the island or ideas towards the novel. -
Princess Elizabeth becomes queen
Since Golding is British, he was likely directly affected. ("A Brief Timeline of the 1950's"). -
Joseph Stalin Dies of a Heart Attack
Stalin, ruler of the Soviet Union at the time, passed away from a heart attack. ("Major events of the 1950s"). This may have affected Golding because the Soviet Union was allied with Britain and the United States in WWII. -
Signing of the Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw pact is signed. A collective defence treaty among the Soviet Union. ("Major events of the 1950s"). This may have affected Golding, as social relationships may be changing at the time. -
Winston Churchill is re-elected Prime Minister of Great Britain
("Major events of the 1950s"). Golding, being British, was likely directly impacted from this election.