The Roaring 20s “The Jazz Age” Society in the 1920s

The 1920s is a time of social change.

1920s women The “new woman” –Not bound by traditional dress or behavior codes of “being a lady” –Style was copy of Jazz club dancers –Perpetuated by media; small minority of women were flappers

“New morality” encouraged by media, such as novels, plays, and movies.

1920s women Working women –Could be nurses or secretaries; not doctors or lawyers –Paid less than men for same jobs. Why?

1920s women Voting women? –In 1920: Suffrage granted Only 35% voted –Why? Many lacked interest Many felt that women should not vote.

Americans moving Rural / Urban split –Majority of Americans now lived in cities. –Split is more than geographical. New vs. Old

Americans moving Urban growth –Farmers passed over by post-WWI industrial boom 6 million migrated –Blacks head to northern cities during WWI Industrial jobs Great Migration

Americans moving North Americans –Congress limited European immigration during WWI Canadians - Northeast Mexicans - Southwest Puerto Ricans - NYC

Americans moving White flight –Influx of newcomers –Transportation improvements Growth of the suburbs

American HEROES Charles Lindbergh –1st person to fly from NYC to Paris –Huge media event –Symbol of traditional American values –Son kidnapped & later found murdered

American HEROES Amelia Earhart –1st woman to fly across Atlantic –1st person to fly solo from hawaii to California –Tried to be 1st person to fly around world Disappeared mysteriously over Pacific

American HEROES Jack Dempsey –Top 5 all-time boxer Jim Thorpe –Pro football player –Pro baseball player –Olympic gold medalist –Native American

American HEROES Gertrude Ederle –Olympic gold medalist age 17 –Symbol of “new woman” –1st woman to swim the 35-mile English Channel 14 hours, 31 minutes (2 hours faster than previous record)

American HEROES Babe Ruth –Possibly greatest baseball player ever –714 HR lifetime –60 HR in a single season –94-46 (2.26 ERA) as a pitcher