1. Historical, Social and Technological Events Influencing the Period
The 1920’s
Historical, Social and Technological Events Influencing the Period

2. World War I After the war there was a general feeling
of disillusionment, a loss of idealism and some sense that war had been a terrible mistake.
There was a feeling of social and political indifference.

4. Boom Economy Mass production methods introduced in factories.
Resulted in acceleration of production and greater profits for industry
Workers demanded and got higher wages and shorter hours.
Huge success of big business filtered down more spendable income to almost every level of the population.
The stock market boomed during the twenties. Ordinary Americans invested in what seemed to be a sure way to get rich.

6. The Automobile
Mass production of automobiles made them affordable to many.
The automobile provided freedom to travel that Americans had never before known.
The automobile quickly became a favorite status symbol to Americans.

7. More Money/More Leisure
American’s had more spendable income and more leisure time to spend it than ever before.
Movie industry grows during the 1920’s. The early films were silent, but by the end of the decade, “talkies” were gradually making their way into theatres.
Sports also gained popularity. Many stadiums were built during the twenties. Baseball became the all-American passtime. (Even though it was segregated.)

8. Prohibition
The production and sale of alcoholic beverages was outlawed in the United States in 1920.
The law was difficult to enforce.
“Bootleggers” illegally produced and sold alcohol. “Runrunners” smuggled alcohol in from other countries.
Organized crime quickly came to control the supply and sale of illegal alcohol.
“Speakeasies” (illegal bars or clubs) cropped up in basements and backrooms throughout the country.

9. Music and Dance The 1920’s were also known as the “Jazz Age”.
Americans were listening to jazz music and dancing the “Charleston.”
In New York, the “Cotton Club” in Harlem was the place to go.

10. Women Break Free
Much to the shock of their elders, women of the 1920’s were breaking social norms.
They began to “bob” their hair,cutting it short.
They wore short skirts.
They drank alcohol, smoked cigarettes, learned to drive, and went out with men without chaperons.
Some got jobs in offices or factories.

11. The Breakdown of Traditional Morality
During the twenties Americans seemed to stray away from traditional morality.
This has been attributed to several influences:
The feeling of the loss of idealism after the war.
A feeling of relief following the war and its ecomonic restraints.
The growth of the cities.
The explosion of crime following the passing of prohibition.

12. The twenties was a unique period in American society. F
The twenties was a unique period in American society. F. Scott Fitzgerald captures the era for us in The Great Gatsby. I hope you enjoy the novel and our “visit” back in time to the twenties.