10. The Roaring Twenties Economic Prosperity and New Cultural Values

Red Scare American citizens was frightened by the triumph of Communism in Russia. Attorney General Palmer arrested thousands of suspects and deported them. Communism will remain a threat until the end of the Cold War in the late 1990s. Nativism and racism were also on the rise.

Racism Grows Nativism grows as feelings surface against immigrants and minorities Restrictions on immigration established quota system for the first time. Eugenics attempted to promote what were considered to be superior genetic characteristics.

Pro-Business Policies of Three Republican Presidents Warren Harding sought a "return to normalcy.” His administration was full of corruption leading to the Teapot Dome Scandal. (Died in office) Calvin Coolidge believed the “business of America is business.” Herbert Hoover saw “rugged individualism” as the motivation to become a great nation. All felt that government interference should be minimal in the economy.

Factors for Prosperity of the 1920s Rise of the automobile Cars allowed greater mobility to people Model T priced at under $300 per car. Other New Industries Electricity and electrical appliances Radio, motion pictures, vacuum cleaners More efficient production and distribution techniques Assembly line Standardized parts Mass consumerism and buying on credit

Clash of Cultural Values (Old and New) 18 th Amendment banned the sale of Alcoholic beverages. Scopes “Monkey Trial” A teacher broke the law and taught the Theory of Evolution. Defended by Clarence Darrow Prosecuted by William Jennings Bryan

Women in the 1920s Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote. Women saw greater freedom Less restrictive clothing Entered work force in greater numbers Began gaining college educations.

Prohibition 18 th Amendment banned alcoholic drinks. Social experiment was a failure. 21 st Amendment ended prohibition. Only amendment to the U.S. Constitution that has been repealed.

Population Shifts Great Migration. Millions of African- Americans began moving from the rural South to cities in the North and Midwest. Rise of Racism Rebirth of the KKK Immigration Acts of 1921, 1924, 1929

Harlem Renaissance Harlem became the cultural center of the African-American community Artists and innovators Langston Hughes. Poet and novelist. Alaine Locke. Black historian Marcus Garvey attempted to organize the Back to Africa Movement; believed in black owned businesses.

Lost Generation Literature and art of the white community focused on the “Lost Generation” Writers F. Scott Fitzgerald depicted the lifestyles of the young and materialistic rich in the 1920s; Wrote The Great Gatsby Sinclair Lewis ridiculed American hypocrisy Rejected the desire for material wealth Fads: flagpole sitting, marathon dancing

Key Individuals William Jennings Bryan. Helped prosecute John Scopes at the “Monkey Trial” Clarence Darrow. Represented Scopes at the “Monkey Trial” on evolution in 1925 Charles Lindbergh. First person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean; became an international hero. F. Scott Fitzgerald. His works, like The Great Gatsby, captured the spirit of the Jazz Age. Henry Ford. Early Auto manufacturer who pioneered new production techniques

More... Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. Convicted and executed of a robbery in part because of the hysteria against foreigners. Glenn Curtis. Aviation pioneer who developed airplanes that landed on water. Frances Willard. Active in the Temperance and Woman’s Rights Movement.