American Society through Objectives: Describe the events, literature, music, theater/film architecture, technology, and people that define this decade. 2.Explain the development of American society during this decade.

I.Facts Then A.Population: 92,407,000 B.Life Expectancy: Male 48.4 Female: 51.8 Average C. Salary $750 / year D.The Ziegfeld girls earned $75/week E.Unemployed 2,150,000 F.National Debt: $1.15 billion G.Union Membership: 2.1 million H.Strikes 1,204 I.Attendance: Movies 30 million per week J.Divorce: 1/1000 K.Vacation: 12 day cruise $60 L.Milk $.32 / gallon M.Speeds make automobile safety an issue Now 310,815,024 estimated Americans by the U.S. Census Bureau Life expectancy: 80.8 female, 76.5 male Average salary in the U.S. Unemployment: 15.1 million National Debt Union Membership: 15.3 million Strikes: 5 major in 2009 Attendance: 1.42 billion Divorce: 5 out every 1000 in 2010 Vacation: 12 day cruise $1900 Milk: $2.80 Speed limits: Highway 55 – 70 mph

II. Historic events and technology A.The Progressive Era 1.A period of social activism and reform 2.The main goal of the Progressive movement was purification of government 3.Characteristics of progressivism a.favorable attitude toward urban-industrial society b.belief in mankind's ability to improve the environment and conditions of life c.belief in obligation to intervene in economic and social affairs d.belief in the ability of experts and in efficiency of government intervention 4.Education was the grand solution to society’s weaknesses

B.World War I ( ) 1.The Over There decadeOver There 2.In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared a strict policy of neutrality. 3.Lusitania a.The largest passenger vessel in transatlantic service b.Set sail from New York to Liverpool, England on May 1, c.10 miles off the coast of Ireland the ship was sunk by a German U- boat d.A total of 1,198 people died (785 passengers and 413 crew). Those killed included 128 US citizens in 18 minutes 4.Zimmerman Telegraph 5.Public opinion 6.On 2nd April, Woodrow Wilson asked for permission to go to war. a.This was approved in the Senate on 4th April by 82 votes to 6 b.Two days later, in the House of Representatives, by 373 to 50

C.Prohibition (1919) 1.The leaders of the prohibition movement were alarmed at the drinking behavior of Americans 2.They were concerned that there was a culture of drink among some sectors of the population that, with continuing immigration from Europe, was spreading. 3.The prohibition movement's strength grew, especially after the formation of the Anti-Saloon League in a.The League, and other organizations that supported prohibition such as the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, soon began to succeed in enacting local prohibition laws. b.Eventually the prohibition campaign was a national effort. 4.The Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took away license to do business from the brewers, distillers, vintners, and the wholesale and retail sellers of alcoholic beverages. 5.Prohibition in the United States was a measure designed to reduce drinking by eliminating the businesses that manufactured, distributed, and sold alcoholic beverages

D.Other historic events 1.Sinking of the Titanic on April 15, Initiation of the National Parks Service 3.Jim Thorpe, a Native American, wins two Olympic gold medals 4.Formation of the Girls Scouts of America 5.1 st moving assembly line 6.1 st parachute jump

III. ART & ARCHITECTURE A.Three fundamental concepts concerning art in America were seriously reconsidered between 1910 and What 'art' is 2.Who makes decisions about standards 3.How art is shared with the viewing public B.Ash Can Artists 1.Artists painted scenes of the less glamorous aspects of modern life 2.Examples of Ash CanExamples C.Architecture 1.Important buildings of the period include the neo-gothic a.Woolworth BuildingWoolworth Building b.New York Public LibraryNew York Public Library

IV. Books & Literature A.The Education of Henry AdamsThe Education of Henry Adams 1.Assailed the nation's failure to live up to its founders' ideals B.The intellectual revolt against materialism spawned several books

V. Fads & Fashion A.Women 1.Beginning to want to think more of comfort during the 1910s 2.Fabrics became lighter, colors are brighter, and styles are looser. 3.Lowered necklines became popular and sales of cold cream and lemon extract escalate 4.Made in America fad began with the onset of the war B.MenMen 1.Wore striped trousers, a morning coat and starched white shirt. 2.A top hat and frock were also worn. 3.At home, informal lounge suits, tweed jackets and striped blazers were popular with dinner jackets in the evening.

VI. Music A.Ballroom Decade B.Popular Songs 1.Alexander’s Ragtime BandAlexander’s Ragtime Band 2.Danny BoyDanny Boy 3.Sweet Mystery of LifeSweet Mystery of Life 4.Made Me Love YouMade Me Love You

VII. Theater and Film A.VaudevilleVaudeville B.Movies were extremely popular in the 1910s 1.Les Miserables 2.A Tale of Two Cities C.Top box office stars 1.Mary PickfordMary Pickford 2.Douglas FairbanksDouglas Fairbanks