The Roaring twenties Commerce, Media, Communism, and Crime

More Than Just Social Change In addition to some of the new social aspects of the 1920s some real economic differences emerge as well A new level of industrialization is realized with new innovations in production Marketing and advertisement is revolutionized by the availability of new media A fear of communism created a panic The battle against alcohol took an unexpected path

Rise in Consumer Culture With new innovations in manufacturing productivity rose by 60% throughout the 1920s This means a lot more products are making it to the market In addition to competing to be the most affordable companies had to be the most visible This gives rise to a completely new type of marketing utilizing the radio and eventually film A family would tune in with the new entertainment toy of the time, the radio, and listen to their favorite programming sponsored by a product vying for their business.

Rise in Consumer Culture Mass Production Consumerism – the idea that expanding consumption is good fro the economy Installment Plans – the ability to buy things using credit Advertising – New methods in marketing helped to create the demand for new products Rise in an American Consumer Culture

America becomes mobile By the mid 1920’s the price of Henry Ford’s Model T had dropped from about $850 to $260, thanks to Ford’s assembly line technique. Once you combine this lower price with installment plans (buying on credit) real change happens By 1929 there were 26 million registered motor vehicles, averaging 1 for every 4.9 Americans. Greater access to motor vehicles increased greatly increased the social independence of Americans Known for his innovative production methods, Henry Ford once remarked “Machinery is the new Messiah.”

Radio and Movies The growing use of radio and movies increased access to news and entertainment in the 1920’s. Hollywood quickly became the movie capital of the world. At first we see the rise of new movie stars in silent films A new era of movies was introduced in 1927 when The Jazz Singer was released, becoming the first successful “talkie”. Family “Listening In” to the Radio, 1922 Charlie Chaplin Gary Cooper Corrine Griffith

Aviation Aviation had progressed leaps and bounds during WWI Many people were pushing the boundaries of the new technology Competing for a $25,000 prize offered by a wealthy New York City hotel owner, Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, doing so in 33 hours and 39 minutes. Less than two years after Lindberg Amelia Earhart became the first woman to complete the challenge Their accomplishments would do much to raise excitement and help launch the age of commercial passenger aviation. Charles Lindbergh pictured with the plane that made him famous. His voyage made him one of the first media made celebrities. Amelia Earhart

“Red Scare” and Nativism The Bolshevik (communist) Revolution of 1917 in Russia spawned a tiny communist party in America. This sparked a nationwide crusade against anyone who’s “Americanism” was suspect. This anti-communist sentiment was led by US Attorney General Mitchell Palmer and is referred to as a Red Scare A Red Scare is a period of anti-communism fervor where the American people are paranoid of and persecute anything that seems “un-American"

“Red Scare” and Nativism Palmer made it seem like any “radical” was a danger to America and needed to be removed from society Attorney General Mitchell Palmer began the infamous Palmer Raids in 1919 Rights to privacy were often trampled on in the pursuit of information These raids targeted suspected radicals, and often led to the deportation of Italian and Eastern European immigrants.

Sacco and Vanzetti A very publicized example of of the anti-communist and anti-immigrant persecution is the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti in the late 20s Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian immigrants and self-proclaimed anarchists, not communists but any radical political ideology tended to be grouped together at this time. They were accused of and convicted for a double murder during a robbery The evidence against them was very weak and much of it was disproven. Even with the evidence being poor the judge and jury were very prejudiced against them due to their immigration and political status All appeals were unsuccessful and these men were executed.

Prohibition The 18th Amendment passed in 1919 put in place a law prohibiting the sale and manufacture of alcohol. This was motivated in large part by the clash of values that people were navigating. Many groups felt that alcohol was damaging society. They felt that it damaged the family and promoted crime. Prohibition had some unexpected results.

Prohibition People still wanted to drink and they would find a way. Bootleggers found large profits in the illegal manufacture and sale of liquor. People would go to illegal bars known as speakeasies for alcohol. Organized crime, or the Mafia, infiltrated many parts of American society They controlled drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and legitimate businesses like labor unions and construction.

Prohibition The real money however was in the control of illegal alcohol One of the most notorious crime boss was Al Capone of Chicago. It is true that men like Capone ran charitable organizations and did legitimate work but organizations like his were capable of extreme violence. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre showcases how violent it could be, with the execution of 7 gangsters While authorities wanted to prove Capone’s involvement in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, they settled for tax evasion.

Prohibition fails Prohibition is ultimately viewed as a failure. Crime has become a severe issue and the government needs money. The 20th Amendment, passed in 1933, repealed the 18th Amendment and ended prohibition It is the first and only constitutional amendment to be repealed to this day