Depression, War, and Recovery Unit 8

The economy was “ booming ” in the 1920 ’ s People ’ s income had risen about 35% in a ten year period – so most people had more money to spend. People ’ s income had risen about 35% in a ten year period – so most people had more money to spend. The greatest impact on life in America in the 20 ’ s was the automobile. The greatest impact on life in America in the 20 ’ s was the automobile.

Henry Ford wanted to make a car everyone could afford He came up with the Model T. He came up with the Model T. Each car cost $335. Each car cost $335. With his use of an assembly line he could produce a new car every 10 seconds. With his use of an assembly line he could produce a new car every 10 seconds.

Some other advances in technology improved life Products could now be made cheaper – and faster. Products could now be made cheaper – and faster. People started installment buying – paying a little at a time (in installments). People started installment buying – paying a little at a time (in installments). Petroleum and electricity became cheap and easily available. Petroleum and electricity became cheap and easily available. There were now electric vacuum cleaners, washers, sewing machines, toasters, fans, etc… There were now electric vacuum cleaners, washers, sewing machines, toasters, fans, etc…

This was also the time that commercial air transportation began to grow Charles Lindberg was one of these early pilots. Charles Lindberg was one of these early pilots. He was the first person to fly non-stop across the Atlantic. He was the first person to fly non-stop across the Atlantic. He was one of our nations biggest heroes for a long time. He was one of our nations biggest heroes for a long time. Later – Amelia Earhart did the same thing Later – Amelia Earhart did the same thing

The 20 ’ s were also a great time for young people Young people began to rebel against tradition and do their own things. Young people began to rebel against tradition and do their own things. It was just a time to have some fun It was just a time to have some fun Smoked and drank Smoked and drank Stayed out late Stayed out late Talked openly about sex Talked openly about sex Some people even kissed in public Some people even kissed in public A lot more leisure time A lot more leisure time

“ Flappers ” were modern stylish woman of the 1920 ’ s Knee length skirts Knee length skirts Short sleeves Short sleeves A tight hat – over short hair A tight hat – over short hair Smoked Smoked Wore make-up Wore make-up Often had jobs Often had jobs

But it was also a time of Prohibition With speakeasies: “ clubs ” where you could still get illegal drinks With speakeasies: “ clubs ” where you could still get illegal drinks With bootleggers: people who made or transported illegal alcohol With bootleggers: people who made or transported illegal alcohol

Behind the bootleggers: criminals The mob would use force and violence to make money. The mob would use force and violence to make money. People may have actually drinking more than they were before prohibition. People may have actually drinking more than they were before prohibition. Eventually the prohibition amendment was repealed. Eventually the prohibition amendment was repealed.

Al Capone Had as many as 700 people working for him. Had as many as 700 people working for him. Even had corrupt police and judges backing him up. Even had corrupt police and judges backing him up. The only way they could find to prosecute him was for income tax evasion The only way they could find to prosecute him was for income tax evasion Sent to Alcatraz ( “ the Rock ” ). Sent to Alcatraz ( “ the Rock ” ). Released, but died soon after. Released, but died soon after. He ’ s the most famous, but there were many people like him. He ’ s the most famous, but there were many people like him.

There were still racial problems in America During the Great Migration, many African Americans thought their lives would be getting better, but they didn ’ t. During the Great Migration, many African Americans thought their lives would be getting better, but they didn ’ t. There was still a lot of discrimination in jobs and housing. There was still a lot of discrimination in jobs and housing. Even still – more than 1.5 million African Americans relocated to the north at this time. Even still – more than 1.5 million African Americans relocated to the north at this time. Even the NAACP tried to help, but they couldn ’ t get Congress to do much. Even the NAACP tried to help, but they couldn ’ t get Congress to do much. There were conflicts between: African Americans and whites African Americans and whites Native born people and immigrants Native born people and immigrants Urban and rural people Urban and rural people Over science and religion Over science and religion There were conflicts between: African Americans and whites African Americans and whites Native born people and immigrants Native born people and immigrants Urban and rural people Urban and rural people Over science and religion Over science and religion

Intolerance (and the KKK) 1924: The KKK had 5 million members. 1924: The KKK had 5 million members. Because… some groups were feeling threatened by all the “changes” in America. Because… some groups were feeling threatened by all the “changes” in America. They even had a march in Washington D.C. without their hoods. They even had a march in Washington D.C. without their hoods. Because of their power, no political party wanted to deal with them. Because of their power, no political party wanted to deal with them. This is the time period where they started going after a lot of different groups (Blacks, Jews, New Women, Catholics, Immigrants, and anyone different). This is the time period where they started going after a lot of different groups (Blacks, Jews, New Women, Catholics, Immigrants, and anyone different).

And, there was a movement called fundamentalism This was whether ideas about evolution could be taught in school. This was whether ideas about evolution could be taught in school. Many states had laws that said the only thing that could be taught was the biblical story of creation. Many states had laws that said the only thing that could be taught was the biblical story of creation. “ The Scopes Trial ” is famous for this. “ The Scopes Trial ” is famous for this. John Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution. John Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution.