2. Hist 111 American Civilization II Instructor: Dr. Donald R. Shaffer Upper Iowa University

3. Lecture 7 Roaring Twenties: Patterns of Life (1) The 1920s was arguably the first “modern” decade Suburbanization Spurred by introduction of inexpensive automobiles Ford’s Model T: first auto that was inexpensive enough to be bought by most Americas Construction of good roads by local, state, and federal governments Consumerism Fueled by 1920s prosperity New consumer products Labor saving devices especially Radios became common Credit increasingly available for consumer purchases Ford’s Model T, available in any color as long as it was black Early radio set

4. Lecture 7 Roaring Twenties: Patterns of Life (2) Materialism U.S. society increasingly materialistic Ethic of sacrifice and delayed gratification on the decline Permissiveness American society grew more anonymous with urbanization—no longer faced scrutiny of small town life From front porch to backseat: changing patterns of courtship, which increasing happen by “dating” instead of “calling” Women: big beneficiaries of the new permissiveness Many traditional social restrictions had been aimed at women Flappers smoking at the beach: a symbol of the new 1920s permissiveness—before then respectable women did not smoke in public or do other things like drink

5. Lecture 7 Roaring Twenties: The Backlash Prohibition 18 th Amendment (1920) Volstead Act (1919): enforcement legislation Prohibition widely violated— bootleggers and speakeasies made alcohol widely available Christian Fundamentalism Noted for their literal interpretation of the Bible Rejected “biblical criticism” Scopes Trial (1925) Butler Act (1925) Dayton, Tenn. courted legal challenge William Jennings Bryan vs. Clarence Darrow National press declared Darrow the victor Dumping illegal alcohol Darrow and Bryan at the Scopes Trial

6. No historical continuity to the Klan of Reconstruction Founded by William J. Simmons in 1915, a Methodist minister and college professor A racist community group that made it leaders rich through initiation fees and dues Hated Jews, Catholics, and immigrants besides blacks Kemelia: women’s auxiliary of Klan 4 million members by 1924, many outside the South (the new Klan was a national organization) 40 percent of members in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois The new Klan had fearsome influence in the early 1920s, but went into decline after national leadership discredited by sex scandals and tax evasion convictions Lecture 7 Roaring Twenties: Backlash, the New Klan Women being initiated into the Ku Klux Klan – the 1920s Klan practiced equal opportunity racism

7. Lecture 7 Roaring Twenties: National Politics The 1920s saw a resurgence of conservative pro-business Republicans Warren Harding (1921-23) Harding an enormously likeable man but a poor judge of character He died in office in 1923, escaping revelations of corruption in his administration, especially the infamous Teapot Dome scandal Calvin Coolidge (1923-29) “Cool Cal” or “Silent Cal” Fervently pro-business: “the business of America is business” Herbert Hoover (1929-33) Came into White House with stellar reputation Badly tarnished in office Warren Harding Calvin Coolidge Herbert Hoover