1. People begin to question traditional beliefs
Postwar Uncertainty
People begin to question traditional beliefs

2. New Revolution in Science
Albert Einstein offered startling new ideas on space, time, energy, and matter
Theory of Relativity: ideas about the interrelationships between time and space and between energy and matter
Sigmund Freud treated patients with psychological problems
He constructed theories about the human mind and believed that much of human behavior is
irrational or beyond reason
This is called the unconscious

3. Literature in 1920’s
In search for meaning in an uncertain world some thinkers turned to the philosophy known as existentialism
Existentialists believed that there is no universal meaning to life and each person creates his or her own meaning in life through choices made and actions taken
Friedrich Nietzsche wrote that Western ideas such as reason, democracy, and progress had muted people’s creativity and actions
#1 Mustache Award
Friedrich Nietzsche

4. Revolution in the Arts
Artists rebelled against earlier realistic styles of painting and wanted to depict the inner world of emotion and imagination rather than show realistic things
Surrealism: art movement that sought to link the world of dreams with real life, inspired by Freud
Jazz emerged in the U.S.

5. Society Challenges Convention
Before WWI (restricting clothing)
WWI disrupted our traditional views and new ideas and ways of life led toa new kind of individual freedom during the 1920’s
War had allowed women to take on new role led and this helped them win the right to vote
Women abandoned restrictive clothing and hairstyles and began to take new careers in medicine, education, journalism, and other professions
1920’s ready to dance the night away

6. Technological Advances Improve Life
Automobile benefited from a host of wartime innovations and improvements– electric starters, air-filled tires, and more powerful engines
Prewar cars were only owned by the rich but after the war the prices drop and the middle class could afford these cars
More people are traveling for pleasure
Most of the world’s major passenger airlines were established during the 1920s

7. Radio and Movies Dominate Popular Entertainment
World’s first commercial radio station—KDKA in Pittsburgh begins broadcasting
Every major city then begins to have its own station for news, plays, and even live sporting events and most families begin to own radios
Motion pictures were huge and in LA 90% of movies were filmed there
Charlie Chaplin a comic genius transformed movies
Steam Boat Willie introduced