Final answer:
Modernism was a movement that focused on rejecting established norms, reinventing culture, and expressing progress in reaction to industrialization, urbanization, and the fallouts of World War I. It was marked by skepticism towards traditional authority and sought to embody the spirit of the industrialized, modern age with innovation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mission of Modernism
Modernism was a movement that emerged as a consequence of significant changes in society, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It arose in a context marked by the development of industrial societies, urban expansion, and the profound impact of World War I.
The principle mission of Modernism was to reject the established norms of the past, particularly Victorian values that included morality, clarity, and hierarchy in art and literature. It saw the rise of many cultural movements, including Futurism, and was characterized by a celebration of the modern life, a belief in progress, and a vision for societal improvement. At its core, Modernism sought to reinvent various aspects of art, architecture, literature, and culture, and to embody the new, industrialized age with a spirit of innovation.
European and American Modernism, each had its unique characteristics but shared a common pursuit of progression and skepticism towards traditional authority. In the United States, the movement was expressive of optimism regarding the future and societal advancements.
Modernism in the arts, such as in literature, aimed to address these rapidly transforming times and often displayed disillusionment with the politics and societal norms after the war.
Ultimately, the vast social and political upheavals, the advancement in technology, and the quest for new expressions in the arts culminated in an era of extraordinary growth and change. This ethos was aptly captured by the motto 'Make It New!', as echoed by literary figures such as Ezra Pound.