LIFE & CULTURE IN AMERICA IN THE 1920s THE ROARING TWENTIES

WW I was the first “total war” in which modern weapons spared no one, including civilians. WW I was the first “total war” in which modern weapons spared no one, including civilians. The casualties in WW I dwarfed those of previous wars: some 8,500,000 soldiers died as a result of wounds and/or disease. The casualties in WW I dwarfed those of previous wars: some 8,500,000 soldiers died as a result of wounds and/or disease. As many as 13 million civilians’ deaths were attributable to the war. As many as 13 million civilians’ deaths were attributable to the war. World War I

WW I The brutal trench warfare and mustard gas left many of the survivors permanently damaged. The brutal trench warfare and mustard gas left many of the survivors permanently damaged. The American psyche also suffered from disillusionment and despair, with many questioning whether there was any morality left in the world. The American psyche also suffered from disillusionment and despair, with many questioning whether there was any morality left in the world. EQ? Why do you suppose that people reacted so strongly to WWI? EQ? Why do you suppose that people reacted so strongly to WWI?

Urban vs. Rural Urbanization: More Americans lived in cities than in rural areas Urbanization: More Americans lived in cities than in rural areas Farms started to struggle post-WWI Farms started to struggle post-WWI Urban life was full of crowds, moneymakers, and pleasure seekers Urban life was full of crowds, moneymakers, and pleasure seekers Rural life was considered safe, with closer ties, hard work and morals. Rural life was considered safe, with closer ties, hard work and morals.

Migration and Demographics Post-WWI: European refugees to America Post-WWI: European refugees to America Limited immigration in 1920s from Europe and Asia Limited immigration in 1920s from Europe and Asia Employers turned to Mexican and Canadian immigrants to work Employers turned to Mexican and Canadian immigrants to work As a result: barrios were created As a result: barrios were created EQ? How is the use of immigrants still impacting modern society?

THE TWENTIES WOMAN Were independent and achieving greater freedoms- (vote, employment) Were independent and achieving greater freedoms- (vote, employment) Many women entered the workplace as nurses, teachers, librarians, & secretaries Many women entered the workplace as nurses, teachers, librarians, & secretaries Challenged the traditional ways Challenged the traditional ways Revolution of manners and morals Revolution of manners and morals “Flappers” were emancipated young women who embraced the new fashions and urban attitudes. “Flappers” were emancipated young women who embraced the new fashions and urban attitudes. Older generations found the Flappers’ behavior scandalous. Older generations found the Flappers’ behavior scandalous. EQ? Why might people have resented and looked down upon this “new” woman? EQ? Why might people have resented and looked down upon this “new” woman? Chicago 1926

PROHIBITION Reformers had long believed alcohol led to crime, child & wife abuse, and accidents Reformers had long believed alcohol led to crime, child & wife abuse, and accidents Their political efforts led to the passage of the 18 th Amendment in 1920 Their political efforts led to the passage of the 18 th Amendment in 1920 Launched the era known as Prohibition Launched the era known as Prohibition Made it illegal to make, distribute, sell, transport or consume liquor Made it illegal to make, distribute, sell, transport or consume liquor Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933 when it was repealed by the 21 st Amendment

SPEAKEASIES AND BOOTLEGGERS Many people, including immigrant groups, were not willing to give up drinking Many people, including immigrant groups, were not willing to give up drinking Drinkers went to hidden saloons known as speakeasies Drinkers went to hidden saloons known as speakeasies People also bought liquor from bootleggers who smuggled it into the country from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands People also bought liquor from bootleggers who smuggled it into the country from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands

ORGANIZED CRIME Prohibition contributed to the growth of organized crime in every major city Prohibition contributed to the growth of organized crime in every major city Al Capone – Chicago, Illinois, famous bootlegger, “Scarface” Al Capone – Chicago, Illinois, famous bootlegger, “Scarface” Gangsters bribed police or government officials Gangsters bribed police or government officials Forced local businesses a fee for “protection” Forced local businesses a fee for “protection” EQ? Is criminal activity justified in a prohibited society? EQ? Is criminal activity justified in a prohibited society?

EDUCATION AND POPULAR CULTURE Developments in education had a powerful impact Developments in education had a powerful impact Enrollment in high schools quadrupled Enrollment in high schools quadrupled Challenge of educating millions of immigrants Challenge of educating millions of immigrants The "separate but equal" doctrine allowed states to maintain segregated schools as long as equal services were provided for blacks and whites The "separate but equal" doctrine allowed states to maintain segregated schools as long as equal services were provided for blacks and whites EQ? What do you think the biggest challenge educating millions of immigrants was? EQ? What do you think the biggest challenge educating millions of immigrants was?

EXPANDING Mass Media Literacy increased in the 1920s… as a result newspaper and magazine circulation rose Literacy increased in the 1920s… as a result newspaper and magazine circulation rose Newspapers: Increase of 42% Newspapers: Increase of 42% Motion Pictures: 40 million to 80 million Motion Pictures: 40 million to 80 million Radios: 60,000 to 10.2 million Radios: 60,000 to 10.2 million

Cultural Icons Charles Lindbergh May 27, 1927: Lindbergh made the first nonstop solo trans-Atlantic flight Charles Lindbergh May 27, 1927: Lindbergh made the first nonstop solo trans-Atlantic flight Amelia Earhart 1932: First female to fly solo across the Atlantic Amelia Earhart 1932: First female to fly solo across the Atlantic Babe Ruth American hero who hit 60 homers in 1927 Babe Ruth American hero who hit 60 homers in 1927 Walt Disney Voice of Mickey Mouse for two decades and won 32 Academy Awards Walt Disney Voice of Mickey Mouse for two decades and won 32 Academy Awards Charlie Chaplin Chaplin acted in, directed, and scripted his own silent-films films Charlie Chaplin Chaplin acted in, directed, and scripted his own silent-films films

MUSIC OF THE 1920s Composer George Gershwin merged traditional elements with American Jazz Composer George Gershwin merged traditional elements with American Jazz Duke Ellington, a jazz pianist, led his ten-piece orchestra at the famous Cotton Club Duke Ellington, a jazz pianist, led his ten-piece orchestra at the famous Cotton Club Louis Armstrong is considered one of the most influential musicians in jazz Louis Armstrong is considered one of the most influential musicians in jazz By 1927, Bessie Smith became the highest- paid black artist in the world By 1927, Bessie Smith became the highest- paid black artist in the world Billie Holiday had one of the most recognizable voices of the 20s and 30s Billie Holiday had one of the most recognizable voices of the 20s and 30s

Modernism Modernism is a cultural and artistic movement of the early 20 th century that rebelled against the late 19 th century Victorian ideals of an ordered, purposeful world governed by well-defined morals and values—a world that provided a clear national and personal identity. Modernism is a cultural and artistic movement of the early 20 th century that rebelled against the late 19 th century Victorian ideals of an ordered, purposeful world governed by well-defined morals and values—a world that provided a clear national and personal identity. Modernists believe instead that the world is a chaotic, fluctuating place with no real moral center. Modernists believe instead that the world is a chaotic, fluctuating place with no real moral center. Modernism represents a major shift in thinking, from the closed, finite, measurable, cause-and-effect universe of the 19th century to an open, changing, strange universe Modernism represents a major shift in thinking, from the closed, finite, measurable, cause-and-effect universe of the 19th century to an open, changing, strange universe Modernism reflects a loss of faith in traditional values and beliefs, including the American Dream. Modernism reflects a loss of faith in traditional values and beliefs, including the American Dream.

Modernism The work of Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud were influential on the Modernists. The work of Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud were influential on the Modernists. Albert Einstein, developer of the Theory of Relativity, inspired the concept that reality—truth—can only be known in relation to (relative to) the perspective of the observer. In other words, there is no one Truth. Each person’s point of view provides a version of reality…we make our own truths. Albert Einstein, developer of the Theory of Relativity, inspired the concept that reality—truth—can only be known in relation to (relative to) the perspective of the observer. In other words, there is no one Truth. Each person’s point of view provides a version of reality…we make our own truths. Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis, introduced new insights into the workings of the subconscious mind. Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis, introduced new insights into the workings of the subconscious mind.

Traits of Modernism Fragmented plots with random beginnings and endings or without linear timelines Fragmented plots with random beginnings and endings or without linear timelines A new kind of hero who is flawed and disillusioned, self- doubting, ironic, anxious, but also possibly courageous and principled A new kind of hero who is flawed and disillusioned, self- doubting, ironic, anxious, but also possibly courageous and principled Shifts in perspective: 1 st person or very limited 3 rd person point of view, multiple points of view, unreliable narrators Shifts in perspective: 1 st person or very limited 3 rd person point of view, multiple points of view, unreliable narrators Themes of disillusionment, moral decay, excess, dehumanization of industry, the American Dream, the self- made man Themes of disillusionment, moral decay, excess, dehumanization of industry, the American Dream, the self- made man

WRITERS OF THE 1920s Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald coined the phrase “Jazz Age” to describe the 1920s, wrote The Great Gatsby (reflects the emptiness of elite society) Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald coined the phrase “Jazz Age” to describe the 1920s, wrote The Great Gatsby (reflects the emptiness of elite society) Ernest Hemingway, became one of the best-known authors of the era, his straightforward style of writing set a literary standard Ernest Hemingway, became one of the best-known authors of the era, his straightforward style of writing set a literary standard Langston Hughes described the difficult lives of working- class blacks Langston Hughes described the difficult lives of working- class blacks Zona Gale was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 Zona Gale was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1921