The Roaring 20’s 1920’s - Culture
Harlem Renaissance Harlem – world’s largest black urban community In 1920’s became the focal point of intellectual, cultural, and artistic Black community. Focused on what it meant to be Black in America and express a new pride in African American experience.
Writers: Langston Hughes, Claude McKay Musicians: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Paul Roberson, Josephine Baker
I, Too http://www. poetryarchive. org/poetryarchive/singlePoem. do I too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then. Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed~~ I too, am America. Langston Hughes
Tin Pan Alley Name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the U.S. Name originally referred to specific place: West 28th street between 5th and 6th avenue in Manhattan. http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=iKDORuUk1y0
Lost Generation Group of writers in the 1920’s who shared the belief that they were lost in a greedy, materialist world that lacked moral values, and who often chose to flee to Europe because they found it more intellectually stimulating. Most important writers settled in Paris. People who were disconnected from the countries values Term Lost Generation made famous by Ernest Hemingway.
PROHIBITION A speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverage. Such establishments came into prominence in the United States during the period known as Prohibition During this time, the sale, manufacture, and transportation (bootlegging) of alcoholic beverages was illegal throughout the United States. The Stork Club, a famous speakeasy in New York City
CRIME http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHroRBdbV1U Inevitably most of the liquor traffic fell into the hands of gangsters, whose names we still know today. Alphonse "Scarface Al" Capone of Chicago was only the most notorious. AL CAPONE MUGSHOT
Women’s Roles Women participated in organized campaigns for suffrage and prohibition Benefited from increase free time afforded to them by modern conveniences like electricity and appliances. Taking Jobs vacated by men in WWI Women felt more in control – hair and hemlines became shorter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddv0sLJI1ro&fe ature=related
FLAPPERS
Music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iJdXWY7JRo JAZZ extremely popular in speakeasies New Orleans home of JAZZ
Radio Radio --- the “wireless” By 1930, more than 12 million families owned a radio KDKA first commercial radio station---opened in Pittsburgh, 1920 Provided instant news, entertainment, and advertisements http://www.best- otr.com/mp3/WC_Fields.19xx.xx.xx_The_Tem perance_Lecture.mp3
Literature- reflected pessimism of materialistic American culture F. Scott Fitzgerald – The Great Gatsby Illustrated materialism & lack of human concern Claude McKay – Harlem Shadows About the racism in our culture T. S. Eliot – poet Ernest Hemingway William Faulkner
Artist - Georgia O’Keeffe
FILM 1927 --- first “talkie” - “The Jazz Singer” Starring Al Jolson Charlie Chaplin – most popular film star of 1920’s Modern Times
Walt Disney – Mickey Mouse debuted in 1928 Mickey’s first movie – http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7g7dq_steam boat-willie-1928_shortfilms