Innovation, Materialism, Fear, and Scandal Most of all an Era of Experimentation

First women First Presidential Election where women could vote (increased votes cast by 8.2 million) Harding “return to normalcy Warren G. Harding was elected on “return to normalcy” campaign Most famous for three scandals: - “Ohio Gang” - Teapot Dome Scandal - Mysterious death in S.F at the Palace Hotel in “Ohio Gang” - Teapot Dome Scandal - Mysterious death in S.F at the Palace Hotel in 1923 “Return to Normalcy” is challenged by the legacy of the and is challenged by the legacy of the Progressive Movement and challenges of the world! of the modern world!

Fear motivated many political actions Fear of another World War isolationism Led to isolationism Fear of Change Nativism Rise of Nativism (leads to immigration reform) First Red Scare First Red Scare (leads to Palmer Raids & Sedition Laws) KKK Rise in popularity of KKK (leads to increase in religious and racial persecution) role of religion Debate over role of religion in politics (leads to Scopes Trial & Prohibition)

“First Red Scare” Mitchell Palmer (U.S. Attorney General) started the “First Red Scare” limiting civil liberties Laws passed limiting civil liberties “Palmer Raids”He deported immigrants during the “Palmer Raids” limits were placed on immigrants In 1921 & 1924 limits were placed on immigrants from Italy, Russia, and Slavic nations. Feardiscrimination spread Sacco & Vanzetti Trial Fear and discrimination against immigrants & minority ethnic groups spread throughout the U.S. Ex: Sacco & Vanzetti Trial Question: Why would Americans dislike immigrants?

The 18 th Amendment alcohol The 18 th Amendment prohibited the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcohol It was hard to enforce & unpopular bootleggers, speakeasies, & the mobLed to the rise of bootleggers, speakeasies, & the mob The 21 st Amendment ended Prohibition in 1933

Harding’s Vice President 1923 Became President in 1923 (after Harding’s death) “Coolidge or Chaos” Elected in 1924 with slogan “Coolidge or Chaos” Republican elected in 1928 Republican elected in 1928 small Believed in the individual & a small federal government Both Coolidge & Hoover economy focused on the economy

led to new, Industrialization led to new innovations, production, and the of American. mass production, and the birth of American materialism.

Companies focused on inventing & producing consumer goods Companies focused on inventing & producing consumer goods Examples: radios, automobiles, icebox, washing machine, vacuum cleaner People buying goods using “credit” People buying goods using “credit” cheaper products mass production of goods = cheaper products advertising sell increased use of advertising to sell products Car 18 million Car ownership grew 18 million from 1920 to 1930

styleculture Experiments in new style, culture, entertainmentnorms entertainment, and societal norms

Civil Rights Organizations Increase in popularity of Civil Rights Organizations (NAACP, ACLU, Anti- Defamation League) traditional expectations Women begin to challenge traditional roles & expectations Questions: Questions: 1. Why do you think Civil Rights organizations would be increasing their popularity in the 1920s? 2. What do you think empowered women to challenge their traditional roles as wives/ mothers?

Radio Radio - provides instantaneous access to news, entertainment, and sports Sports Sports – increase in popularity and athletes become heroes in society Movies Movies – first talking movies debut “talkies” Cars Cars– increase in availability & affordability of cars creates access to new entertainment opportunities Question: Question: How might the sense of prosperity impact the changes with entertainment?

“The Jazz Age” The new music of the era set the stage for a unique era of cultural history LiteratureLiterature – some of the most famous authors/books/poems written in 1920s Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance – African American artistic movement that influenced American culture FlapperFlapper – new style of fashion that represented the “new woman” DanceDance – new trends & styles of dance challenged tradition Question: Question: How might a national culture help change society?