The first half of the 20th century was a time that will never be forgotten. War, violence, and death touched the whole world. Numerous totalitarian leaders came into power. Millions and millions of lives were taken from soldiers and civilians. Two great World Wars occurred. Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia's labor camps killed tens of millions of people alone, almost all due to genocide. Then of course, the end of World War II marked the …showed first 75 words of 2374 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2374 total…the most important purpose. In those times of violence, death, and suffering, the arts allowed all artists to search for some sort of meaning when there seemed to be no such thing. Without meaning, a life is not worth living. Some artists found it, and some artists did not, but the opportunity was present. Art gave people something to live for, something to remind people that tough people make it, but tough times will not.