F. Scott Fitzgerald Born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1896 Studied at Princeton University but dropped out in 1917 to join the military in high hopes that he would be sent to Europe to fight in WWI. He never saw battle as the war ended in 1918. He later admitted to having two regrets in life: never seeing battle and not being big enough to play football. Fitzgerald, among several other authors, is a part of the “Lost Generation”; these writers had an abundance of hope, nerves, and emotion never released. They believed that since the noble causes had already been fought, they should have a good time.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cont. Married Zelda in 1920 Zelda was an American socialite who only agreed to marry Fitzgerald when he became wealthy. He dubbed her as the ‘first American flapper.’ Zelda cheated on her husband; their romance was a turbulent one. She died in a hospital fire in 1948. Fitzgerald died in 1940 of a heart attack due to years of heavy drinking. “Love is bitter and all there is… the rest is for the emotional beggars of the earth.” Zelda Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby Published in 1925 Critics’ reactions: “…no more than a glorified anecdote…” “The Great Gatsby is not a good book but it is superior to his others.” “Fitzgerald’s latest a dud” Gatsby sold 21,000 copies when it was first published. Today, it sells 500,000 copies annually.

The 1920s “The Age of Wonderful Nonsense” “The Party that Lasted a Decade” “The Roaring Twenties” “The Jazz Age” “The Age of Intolerance” The 1920s saw a significant shift in US societal values, making it a decade of frivolity and carefree living. However, while the party was fun, the people were reckless. The fun stopped in 1929 when the Stock Market Crashed on Black Tuesday.

1920’s Women The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, guaranteed women the right to vote. More than ever before, women had a voice in society, and they took full advantage. Fashion transformed in the 20s, reflecting the ideals of Flapper Girls: women who opposed society’s traditional expectations of women. Women continued the fight for equal rights, a fight that’s still being fought today.

The Harlem Renaissance A cultural revolution for African Americans in Harlem, New York. Writers, poets, musicians, and artists, all of African American descent, found their voices and made awareness of their culture to the rest of the US. Langston Hughes, the most famous name associated with the renaissance, believed that black artists should focus on the folk and create distinctive ‘Negro’ art. Causes of the Harlem Renaissance: dramatic rises in levels of literacy among black citizens development of several national organizations dedicated to their cause like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) increased interaction among black intellectuals development of pride for their race; and a zest to carve for them a separate identity

Prohibition Ratified in in 1920, the 18th Amendment banned the production, distribution, and consumption of alcohol. Bootleggers illegally manufactured and sold alcohol, creating butchered versions of imported liquor, but earning profits. Underground establishments called Speakeasies, illegally sold alcohol. Many were hidden and only known by few. Gangsters like Al Capone, who controlled the illegal alcohol industry in Chicago, used prohibition as a means of business. In 1933, Prohibition ended with the 21st Amendment.

Industry The Industrial Revolution caused an increase in factory jobs and production. One of the most prominent industries: automobiles With Henry Ford’s invention of the assembly line, automobile production increased, and so did consumption. Owning a car became the great social equalizer since it was more accessible. Another industry that exploded was the cigarette industry. Due to an increase in advertising agencies, industries’ slogans and ads infiltrated the everyday lives of the American people, leading to an increase in product consumption.

1920’s Fun Facts Jazz flourished in the 1920s making way for artists like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Mickey Mouse made his debut in Disney’s Steamboat Willie. Charlie Chaplin became one of the most famous silent film actors. The term “dating” was coined in the 1920s since boys and girls began seeing each other unchaperoned. The Charleston dominated dance moves during the 1920s. In 1919, eight players for Chicago Black Sox were paid to lose the World Series against Cincinnati. This is known as the Black Sox Scandal.

Sources https://learnodo-newtonic.com/harlem-renaissance-facts http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-prj-great-gatsby-f-scott- fitzgerald-hl-mencken-20141010-story.html