Transcript Cultural Changes of the 1920s
What does this 1920’s magazine cover indicate about life & culture during the 1920’s?
(write your response)
How has the computer and the internet changed our society?
(Explain your answer in paragraph form)
Social Changes/1920’s
A ban on alcohol
– Prohibition
New rights for women
– Women’s suffrage
New inventions that bring social change
– Automobile – Radio – Moving pictures (The movies)
What were the positive and negative effects of prohibition ?
Positive effects
– Alcoholism declined – Liver diseases caused by liquor declined – Decrease in family problems brought on by alcohol
Negative effects
– Rise in organized crime Gangsters earned big profits selling illegal liquor – Lawlessness in big cities Gangsters fought among themselves in turf wars
Why was prohibition repealed ?
The ban reduced drinking but never stopped it Respect for the law was undermined Americans were buying liquor in
speakeasies
or from
bootleggers
By 1933, the 21 st 18 th amendment amendment repealed the –
The 18 th amendment is the only amendment ever to be repealed
New Rights for Women
How did the 19 th amendment (women’s right to vote) transform American politics?
– Voting population doubled – Politicians had to appeal to women’s issues Concerns about children, family, and education
Women fight for other legal rights
– Entrance into professional schools and control over their own income
Some women chose to continue working outside the home after WWI
– Others return to house work
Women’s rights movement gains ground
New Inventions/Automobile
Impact of the automobile
– Mass production and cheaper prices made automobiles more affordable for the middle class – More people purchased cars, more car companies were created, new jobs created – Other car companies improve on Ford’s production methods (allowing more choices in autos & options)
New Inventions/Automobile
Economic Effects
– Growth in jobs
(auto industry & related industries)
Steel, rubber, and oil industries – Roads and highways are built
(more new jobs!)
– Gas stations, hotels, and restaurants sprang up across the country
(more new jobs!)
– New industries create new jobs
Social Effects
– Growth of suburbs People could live outside the city and drive to work (commute) – Driving gave women more freedom – Easier to travel and communicate with other cities & towns
New Inventions/Entertainment
Movies
The motion picture industry boomed in Hollywood, California Millions of Americans went to the movies weekly At first there were silent films,
The Jazz Singer
was the first “talkie”
Radio
Brought family entertainment directly into the home – Comedies, dramas, westerns, news, music, and sports shows
SUSPENSE SHOWS POPULAR SONGS SPORTS How did radio change US society?
•
Created a new lifestyle
•
Families gathered around the radio for entertainment & information
•
News traveled faster, revolutionized advertising, entertainment, politics NEWS
CONCLUSION
How did cultural changes influence American society during the 1920’s?
– Prohibition caused an increase in organized crime (organized crime remained after repeal) – Women’s right to vote forever changed American politics – Women’s role in society begins to change New roles/professions outside the home – New inventions created new industries and put more people to work/radio changed communication