Roaring 20s
What was it? Time of Change Traditional vs. Modern Science Urban Sprawl and Automobile Industry New Technology Sports and Leisure Harlem Renaissance- music, art, literature Prohibition- increase in crime Women- challenge traditional roles Traditional vs. Modern Science Scopes Monkey Trial
Changing Landscape Growth of cities Urbanization (rapid growth of cities) Why? Jobs- due to industrialization Immigrants- settle in cities Culture attractions- movie theaters, plays, sports and entertainment Lifestyle- fast paced, toleration of alcohol and gambling
City Growth -New York, Chicago, Philadelphia,
Automobile and Airplane Industry Henry Ford Founder of Ford Motor Company in Detroit Introduce Assembly Line Cars production goes up and prices go down Other industry do the same Production in industry goes way up Airplanes US Post Office begins using planes for shipping mail First Transatlantic flights by Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart
Charles Lindbergh Amelia Earhart
New Technology New Electrical Conveniences Electricity to the suburbs and cities Refrigerators, cooking ranges, toasters Prices of new technology rose Washing Machine- $150 Vacuum Cleaner- $50 Sewing Machine- $60 Leads to buying on credit People want new technology "Buy now, Pay later" Also known as installment plans
Radio Expand in 1920s Broadcast news coverage By 1929- 40% of homes had radios Broadcast music and TV shows First commercial radio station started in 1920 in Pittsburgh- regular news broadcasts, sports, etc.
Sports and Entertainment Sports heroes Americans start spending money on live sporting events Baseball- Babe Ruth and Rube Foster Tennis- Helen Willis Boxing- Jack Dempsey Entertainment Writing, Plays, Literature 1927- first movie with sound "The Jazz Singer" George Gershwin- composer F. Scott Fitzgerald- write The Great Gatsby Ernest Hemingway- A Farewell to Arms
Gertrude Ederle Andrew Foster Helen Willis Babe Ruth
F. Scott Fitzgerald Ernest Hemingway
Harlem Renaissance Begin in Harlem (NYC) Due to Great Migration Harlem was an all black area of NYC Achievements Major achievements in art, literature, music Literature- Langston Hughes- poet and author who wrote about working-class African-Americans Music- jazz Musicians- Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington
Great Migration What? Why? Movement of blacks to northern cities Find jobs and escape segregation in the South
Harlem Renaissance
Harlem Renaissance Cont. Other Performers Bessie Smith- singer and actor Known as first black superstar
Duke Ellington Louis Armstrong
Prohibition 18th Amendment- Begin Prohibition 21st Amendment- End Prohibition Causes Religious groups thought drinking was sinful Protect public health Belief that alcohol led to crime, wife and child abuse and accidents at work Nativism- immigrant groups use of alcohol Effects Consumption of alcohol decreased Disrespect for law increased Smuggling and bootlegging Growth of organized crime (Al Capone)
Prohibition and Organized Crime Al Capone Led criminal activity in Chicago Became rich due to prohibition Used killing and intimidation (bribe government officials) Eventually put in jail for income tax evasion
Speakeasies and Bootleggers Speakeasies- hidden saloons and nightclubs Bootlegging- practice of illegally smuggling liquor into the US during Prohibition
Al Capone Prohibition
20s Women- Challenging Tradition Flappers- young woman who embraced new fashions and attitudes of 1920s How? Fashions- close fitting felt hats, dresses an inch above the knee, silk stockings, pumps (shoes), beads and necklaces Actions- smoking cigarettes, drinking in public, talking openly about sex Dances- fox trot, tango, Charleston Attitude- marriage thought of as an equal partnership
Scopes Monkey Trial What is it? Teacher John Scopes arrested for breaking law Tennessee- passed law outlawing the teaching of Charles Darwin's theories on evolution Darwin's theories seen as a threat to the church and traditional beliefs Trial Gain widespread attention Broadcast on radio and written about in newspapers all over the country
Scopes Monkey Trial Impact Scopes if found guilty and pays a fine Larger Impact Trial represents a change in American culture "New" scientific theories challenge traditional ways of thinking Teaching of science and evolution in schools Flappers challenging traditional roles Prohibition and lawlessness
Scopes Monkey Trial