POST-WAR AMERICA & THE INFLUENCE OF MASS MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS The Roaring 20s POST-WAR AMERICA & THE INFLUENCE OF MASS MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

Popular Culture Radio: Broadcast new music – jazz – during the 1920s. Fireside Chats during the 1930s and 1940s. President Roosevelt gave talks through the radio to the American people to calm their fears.

Pop Culture Movies: New form of entertainment in the 1920s. Provided escape from Depression-era realities.

Pop Culture Newspapers and magazines: Shaped cultural norms and sparked fads.

Traditional Values Challenged Religion Challenged Darwin’s Theory leads to new scientific ideas. Scope’s Trial – these new ideas will create conflict in education. It’s also called the “Monkey Trial.” Read “Fundamentalism” on pages 608-609

Prohibition Drinking challenged with the onset of prohibition. 18th amendment 1920 The sale, manufacture, and transport of alcohol for consumption were banned.

The Drunkard’s Progress People who were against alcohol used propaganda such as this to convince people that drinking was evil.

“Speakeasies” Underground facilities used as bars during Prohibition. Must know password to enter. People would use flasks, coconut shells, and garden hoses to transport liquor. Would pay off police to turn backs during deliveries.

Organized Crime Mafias or Mobs and “Gangsters” Italian immigrants didn’t trust the local crooked cops for protection in cities. Al Capone’s mob in Chicago was one of the most famous violent mobs in America.

Films

Films

Sacco and Vanzetti Case Two Italian immigrants. Both known for being anarchists (don’t believe there should be government). Accused of murdering a man and his assistant carrying money from their business. Both men were found with loaded guns and plans for an anarchist rally. They were arrested, went to trial, and executed by way of electric chair. The case reflected American attitudes about immigrants

Immigration Restriction In the early 1900s, everyone was welcome. By the 1920s, The Ku Klux Klan emerges again to restrict immigration. Targeted African Americans Catholics Jews Immigrants “Un-American” Dies out by the end of the 1920s Emergency Quota Act - 1921 Admission to U.S. – 3% of the total number of people of an ethnic group already in the U.S. National Origins Act - 1924 Same as above but now 2%.

Immigration Restriction

Prohibition Repealed 1933 21st amendment Federal government gave the STATES the power to decide whether or not to limit consumption and production of alcohol. Which amendment was the federal government following here by giving the states the right to choose? 10th

Society

Ladies Night Out: “Flappers” 19th Amendment gave women a new freedom. Shorter skirts New hair styles Excessive make-up Sexual promiscuity Smoking Driving automobiles Listening to Jazz Often found at speakeasies

Jazz Age “Individualism” – focus on the individual. New transportation and communication – cars, air travel, telephone. Homosexuality beginning to be accepted. Modern trends in social behaviors. New Music that encouraged dancing in explicit ways.

Harlem Renaissance Great Migration caused many African Americans to migrate to northern cities. Centered in Harlem, NY. The Harlem Renaissance – African-American movement in the North. “New Negro” Rise in African-American education and appreciation for the culture and heritage of the African-American’s history and life.

Harlem Renaissance Notable People Claude McKay Anti-racism poet Langston Hughes Stressed racial pride Zora Neale Hurston Novelist – rural African American culture Their Eyes Were Watching God

Consumerism Mass production of vehicles, electronics, household goods made it much easier for people to purchase these items. Consumers buy excessively.

Overall During the 1920s 1920s characterized by U.S. becomes global power 1920s characterized by Market BOOM – people buying a lot of products Optimism People investing on borrowed money What’s going to happen to this optimism?