Fun Facts about the 1920s million people in the USA 94.8 mill White…10.4 mill Af. Am Life Expectancy Man: 56…Woman:59…Af Am Male: 47 (about 10 years longer than the early 1900s) #of Homicides = 5,815 Unemployment Rate 4% Passenger Cars Sold: 1,905,500 AM Radio Stations: 1 (by 1930s = 618)

How are the 1920s going to be different? Your Nation just won “the war to end all wars” (WWI) What are you going to do!?

After the war = clash in values! New Morality all about personal freedom v. Fundamentalist Old school traditionalists

New Morality FREEDOM. Young & Modern. Worked and spent money on music, fashion, and other entertainment Urban (cities- it’s where the action is)

Fundamentalists Very Religious: they believed that the Bible was 100% correct and that god created man. Sometimes older generation Lived in rural areas (farms/Midwest)

1920s = Economic BOOM! People had lots of money… And time…

1920s: Cost of the American Dream

RENT: $40/month OWN: $4,000

$125

$25.50

$85

$6.75

Suit $27.95 Shoes $10

Dress $4.75 Rain Capes $4.50

Louise Brooks movie star 1920’s women = the Flapper

1920s Brad Pitt = Rudolph Valentino “Sheik”

For Men? Oxford Bags = men’s pants

Bike Tire Used As Swimming Aid (Germany, 1925)

Transportable Folding Bridge (Netherlands, 1926)

100 MPH One Wheel Motorcycle (1931)

Radio in Straw Hat (USA, 1931)

Bulletproof Glass (New York, 1931)

Why do you bob your hair girls? Blind Alfred Reed Why do you bob your hair, girls? You're doing mighty wrong; God gave it for a glory And you should wear it long. You spoil your lovely hair, girls, You keep yourself in style; Before you bob your hair, girls, Just stop and think a while. Why do you bob your hair, girls? It is an awful shame To rob the head God gave you And bear the flapper's name. You're taking off your covering, It is an awful sin; Don't never bob your hair, girls, Short hair belongs to men.

Today’s Topic: The American Dream Scarface = a lesson on how not to pursue the American Dream Modern Times = a different kind of lesson about the American Dream

The “Tramp” played by Charlie Chaplin Factoid: Most recognized Fictional Fictional image of a human in the history of art.

Born in London in April 1889 A true rags-to-riches story – Abandoned by his father – Mother committed to an asylum – Charlie and his brother worked in London’s workhouses – Was signed to a film contract for $150 a week in 1908 His character, The Tramp, appeared in multiple movies throughout his career Charlie Chaplin

The Tramp Is a childlike, bumbling but overall good- hearted character Presented as a vagrant Tries to behave with the manners of gentleman despite his social status Ready to take whatever paying work that is available but also uses cunning to get what he needs to survive and to escape the authorities

Walking Contradictions Baggy Pants Too Tight Jacket Big Shoes Little Hat Working Man Trying to be High Society

“ Unemployment is the vital question… Machinery should benefit mankind. It should not spell tragedy and throw it out of work.”

The Tramp (Little Fellow) Tramp = survives because of his/her whit does not consistently work another ex: Lady and the Tramp Hobos= “transient worker”, travels looking for work Bums = do not look for work, do not travel

His creation was ‘many-sided,’ Chaplin said, ‘a tramp, a gentleman, a poet, a dreamer, a lonely fellow, always hopeful of romance and adventure…not above picking up cigarette butts or robbing a baby of its candy.’ ‘it heightens our sense of survival and preserves our sanity…because of humor we are less overwhelmed by the vicissitudes of life.’ He dramatized how today’s working man too easily becomes tomorrow’s homeless tramp, the opening concept in Modern Times…