The Culture of Modernism in the 1920’s and Reactions to Modernism

Postwar Prosperity Scientific and technical innovations caused the 1920’s known as the "Second Industrial Revolution." Scientific and technical innovations caused the 1920’s known as the "Second Industrial Revolution." Electricity became widespread Electricity became widespread Mass-produced goods became available at attainable prices. Mass-produced goods became available at attainable prices. Communication innovations contributed to the homogenization of ideas that led to national popular culture Communication innovations contributed to the homogenization of ideas that led to national popular culture Americans began using credit, which further fueled consumerism. Americans began using credit, which further fueled consumerism. Consumerism led to advances in advertising techniques.

Postwar Prosperity Industries employed automated machinery and "scientific management" to increase efficiency. Industries employed automated machinery and "scientific management" to increase efficiency. The reorganization of work to maximize production resulted in more spare time and disposable income for average workers. The reorganization of work to maximize production resulted in more spare time and disposable income for average workers. Scientific management practices also led to a decline in the importance of skill and craftsmanship in favor of discipline and subordination. Scientific management practices also led to a decline in the importance of skill and craftsmanship in favor of discipline and subordination.

The Automobile and American Culture The explosive growth of the automobile industry revolutionized American life. The explosive growth of the automobile industry revolutionized American life. Henry Ford's innovative production techniques made cars affordable for average Americans. Henry Ford's innovative production techniques made cars affordable for average Americans. By the end of the decade, there were enough cars on the road for every one in five persons. By the end of the decade, there were enough cars on the road for every one in five persons. Related industries sprang up including service facilities, filling stations, shopping centers, traffic signals and motels. Related industries sprang up including service facilities, filling stations, shopping centers, traffic signals and motels.

Mass Culture: The Movies With mass communication came the parallel ascendancy of the cult of celebrity. With mass communication came the parallel ascendancy of the cult of celebrity. A new culture of youth and celebrity emerged with the popularity of the movies. A new culture of youth and celebrity emerged with the popularity of the movies. Films celebrated themes like consumerism, romance, exotic locales, and new fashions. Films celebrated themes like consumerism, romance, exotic locales, and new fashions. Young people emulated the glamorous Hollywood elite just as they do today, raising much concern among parents. Young people emulated the glamorous Hollywood elite just as they do today, raising much concern among parents.

Mass Culture: The Movies Although it was not the first film to incorporate an element of sound, the 1927 Warner Brothers film The Jazz Singer is widely credited with heralding in the age of "talkies" and the end of the silent film era. Although it was not the first film to incorporate an element of sound, the 1927 Warner Brothers film The Jazz Singer is widely credited with heralding in the age of "talkies" and the end of the silent film era. The star Al Jolson appears in blackface in the film. The star Al Jolson appears in blackface in the film.

Mass Culture: The Movies Mary Pickford, known as "America's Sweetheart" in the 1910's and 1920's appears in an advertisement for beauty cream. Mary Pickford, known as "America's Sweetheart" in the 1910's and 1920's appears in an advertisement for beauty cream. Pickford embodied the movie icon as a marketing tool in the new era of mass culture and consumption. Pickford embodied the movie icon as a marketing tool in the new era of mass culture and consumption.

Literature and Poetry in the Jazz Age: The Harlem Renaissance In the wake of the black exodus from the South, known as the Great Migration, the Harlem section of New York City became home to a number of African American intellectuals, artists, and writers. In the wake of the black exodus from the South, known as the Great Migration, the Harlem section of New York City became home to a number of African American intellectuals, artists, and writers. The seminal magazine feature "Harlem: Mecca for the New Negro" in Survey Graphic summarized the cultural phenomena this way: The seminal magazine feature "Harlem: Mecca for the New Negro" in Survey Graphic summarized the cultural phenomena this way: "If The Survey reads the signs aright, such a dramatic flowering of a new racespirit is taking place close at home among American Negroes, and the stage of that new episode is Harlem." "If The Survey reads the signs aright, such a dramatic flowering of a new racespirit is taking place close at home among American Negroes, and the stage of that new episode is Harlem."

Literature and Poetry in the Jazz Age: The Harlem Renaissance “Epilogue” by Langston Hughes 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 sit 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.

Literature and Poetry in the Jazz Age: The Lost Generation F. Scott Fitzgerald often wrote critically about the illusions of wealth and fame, while at the same time partaking in the excesses of celebrity and striving for immortality in literature. F. Scott Fitzgerald often wrote critically about the illusions of wealth and fame, while at the same time partaking in the excesses of celebrity and striving for immortality in literature. Fitzgerald succumbed to alcoholism and his wife to mental illness after years behind the facade of glamour and celebrity. Fitzgerald succumbed to alcoholism and his wife to mental illness after years behind the facade of glamour and celebrity. Ernest Hemmingway’s dense, understated writing style became a model for generations of writers. Ernest Hemmingway’s dense, understated writing style became a model for generations of writers. He wrote for "the lost generation," of young men who came of age in the trenches of World War I and were unable to settle back into the norms of traditional society. He wrote for "the lost generation," of young men who came of age in the trenches of World War I and were unable to settle back into the norms of traditional society.

The New Woman and the New Morality The image of the flapper and the "new woman," who bobbed her hair, wore make-up, danced to jazz music, and smoked cigarettes is synonymous with the 1920's. The image of the flapper and the "new woman," who bobbed her hair, wore make-up, danced to jazz music, and smoked cigarettes is synonymous with the 1920's. The emerging advertising industry and mass media promoted more sexualized images of women, thus, giving license for young women to shed some of the old sexual mores that were perceived as "Victorian." The emerging advertising industry and mass media promoted more sexualized images of women, thus, giving license for young women to shed some of the old sexual mores that were perceived as "Victorian." Actress Louise Brooks, an icon of flapper glamour.

The New Woman and the New Morality In 1920, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. In 1920, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. The notable birth control activist Margaret Sanger campaigned across the country to educate women about family planning, remove the social stigma attached to contraceptives, and make safe birth control accessible to every class of women. The notable birth control activist Margaret Sanger campaigned across the country to educate women about family planning, remove the social stigma attached to contraceptives, and make safe birth control accessible to every class of women. Birthrates dropped Birthrates dropped Marriage based on love and companionship Marriage based on love and companionship Motherhood not an instinct Motherhood not an instinct

Prohibition, "A Noble Experiment" Along with the social changes of the interwar era came reactions to those trends. Along with the social changes of the interwar era came reactions to those trends. Prohibition went into effect in January 1920 as a result of decades of campaigning by temperance groups, rural Protestants, and some progressives who felt that alcohol represented a scourge on family life and a catalyst to crime. Prohibition went into effect in January 1920 as a result of decades of campaigning by temperance groups, rural Protestants, and some progressives who felt that alcohol represented a scourge on family life and a catalyst to crime. Although the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act outlawed the sale, transport, and consumption of intoxicating beverages, many otherwise law-abiding Americans defied the regulations. Although the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act outlawed the sale, transport, and consumption of intoxicating beverages, many otherwise law-abiding Americans defied the regulations. The black market for alcohol was a boon for organized crime. The black market for alcohol was a boon for organized crime. Speakeasies – spoke “easily” to avoid detection Speakeasies – spoke “easily” to avoid detection Detroit police discover a clandestine still.

Al Capone Organized crime made $60 million, 522 bloody gang killings Organized crime made $60 million, 522 bloody gang killings “Big Fellow” arrested in 1931 and jailed for tax evasion, died at age 48 “Big Fellow” arrested in 1931 and jailed for tax evasion, died at age 48

Religious Fundamentalism The tension between liberal and fundamentalist Christians, often within the same congregation, was symptomatic of the larger struggle between modernists and those who longed to "get back to basics" in interwar America. The tension between liberal and fundamentalist Christians, often within the same congregation, was symptomatic of the larger struggle between modernists and those who longed to "get back to basics" in interwar America. The division between these groups would become a national preoccupation with the drama of the Scopes Trial in 1925 The division between these groups would become a national preoccupation with the drama of the Scopes Trial in 1925 Evangelist and faith healer Aimee Semple McPherson used showmanship to engage her congregations.

The Scopes Trial The Scopes Trial provides the most dramatic illustration of the cultural tension of the Jazz Age, pitteing secularists and modernists against traditionalists and fundamentalists in a carnival atmosphere that was tailor- made for the tabloids and new mass media. The Scopes Trial provides the most dramatic illustration of the cultural tension of the Jazz Age, pitteing secularists and modernists against traditionalists and fundamentalists in a carnival atmosphere that was tailor- made for the tabloids and new mass media. The 1925 Scopes "Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tennessee was not a spontaneous occurrence. The 1925 Scopes "Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tennessee was not a spontaneous occurrence. In response to legislation outlawing the teaching of evolution, the ACLU offered to finance the defense of any teacher willing to challenge the law. 25 year old biology teacher John Scopes agreed to participate after some urging by local townspeople. In response to legislation outlawing the teaching of evolution, the ACLU offered to finance the defense of any teacher willing to challenge the law. 25 year old biology teacher John Scopes agreed to participate after some urging by local townspeople. Hunter’s Civic Biology- the text Scopes’ students saw.

The Scopes Trial The trial was not about whether or not Scopes was guilty, nor was it about the $100 penalty he faced. The trial was not about whether or not Scopes was guilty, nor was it about the $100 penalty he faced. Scopes’ agnostic lawyer Clarence Darrow wanted to appeal the case the to the Supreme Court and have the law declared unconstitutional. Scopes’ agnostic lawyer Clarence Darrow wanted to appeal the case the to the Supreme Court and have the law declared unconstitutional. Populist and former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan was motivated by a need to defend Christianity and the integrity of the fundamentalist cause. Populist and former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan was motivated by a need to defend Christianity and the integrity of the fundamentalist cause. Although, as expected, Bryan won the legal case, Darrow triumphed in the court of public opinion. Although, as expected, Bryan won the legal case, Darrow triumphed in the court of public opinion.

Teenagers 1914 – 1 million students in high school 1914 – 1 million students in high school 1926 – 4 million 1926 – 4 million Prior to 1920s, high school mostly for college-bound students Prior to 1920s, high school mostly for college-bound students