Surrealism was a groundbreaking art movement that started in the early 1900s. It was influenced by many important historical events and changes in culture. Here are some key events that helped shape surrealism:

1. World War I (1914-1918):

   • The destruction and loss of life during World War I made many people feel hopeless about traditional values and ways of thinking.
   • About 16 million people died, which left deep emotional wounds for those who survived.
   • Because of this trauma, artists and thinkers began to explore their inner thoughts and feelings, looking for meaning in a chaotic world.

2. Freudian Theories:

   • Sigmund Freud, a famous psychologist, introduced ideas about the unconscious mind in his book "The Interpretation of Dreams" (1900).
   • He talked about how our hidden desires and fears shape who we are.
   • Surrealist artists used Freud’s ideas to explore dreams, symbols, and free association, leading to art that was surprising and unpredictable.

3. Dada Movement (1916-1924):

   • Dada was an art movement that grew out of World War I and rejected logic and traditional ideas about art.
   • Surrealism partly came from Dada’s rebellious spirit and its acceptance of chaos.
   • Artists like Marcel Duchamp challenged what art could be, making way for surrealists to explore absurd and strange themes.

4. The Rise of Modernism:

   • In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, modernism changed how artists approached their work, moving away from classical styles.
   • New art forms like abstract art and avant-garde encouraged artists to experiment and think differently.
   • Movements such as Cubism and Futurism, led by artists like Pablo Picasso and Giorgio de Chirico, opened up new ways of seeing and creating art.

5. Political and Social Turmoil:

   • The time between the two World Wars was filled with economic problems, especially the Great Depression in 1929, which hit Europe hard.
   • These struggles led many to seek new ideas and ways to understand the world, which inspired many surrealist artists.

In short, surrealism was deeply influenced by the effects of World War I, Freud's ideas about the mind, the Dada movement, modern artistic trends, and the social and political struggles of the early 20th century. All these factors encouraged artists to explore the hidden parts of our thoughts and the strange and unpredictable nature of life through their art.