The Roaring 20’s

Society in the 1920’s

• The 1920’s were a time of rapid social change • Young people – especially women – adopted new lifestyles and attitudes • The rural population continued to decline and the urban population continued to increase – traditional values were challenged

Society in the 1920’s

• The 19 th Amendment and the increase of women workers during WWI put women in a higher social status • They craved even more equality with men • A new image of women was developed called the “flapper image” and was rebellious

Society in the 1920’s

• Only a small number of American women were flappers yet it had a wide impact on fashion and behavior • Hemlines on dresses rose higher, long hair was cut short, and wore heavy makeup • Flappers also drank and smoked in public – to express their want to break from the past

Society in the 1920’s

• Some businesses still remained prejudiced against female workers – but the number of women in the workforce increased • Women began taking part in politics and voting – although transformation was slow • Jeannette Rankin (Montana) first women to serve in Congress

Society in the 1920’s

• Demographics in America also changed in 1920’s • First time in nation’s history that urban population was larger than rural population • Farmers were struggling – crop prices dropped and production costs rose – bad formula

Society in the 1920’s

• African-Americans continued the Great Migration from the south to the north during the 1920’s • In 1860 – 93% of blacks lived in the south – in 1910 – 89% and by 1930 it was 80% • However the north was no promised land – blacks faced anger and hatred there as well

Society in the 1920’s

• The results of WWI also forced many European refugees to enter the United States • Laws were passed to limit immigrants from Europe – but laws did not prevent Mexicans and Canadians • Barrios – or Spanish speaking neighborhoods popped up in Los Angeles

Society in the 1920’s

• The growth of cities resulted in the creation of suburbs and change in cities • Transportation systems were built – like trolleys which used overhead wires for power • Buses and cars also emerged during the 1920’s which changed transportation and city life

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• What is a flapper? Describe what a flapper looks like and discuss the attitudes that flappers had towards society.

• Discuss how cities began to change during the 1920s. How did populations change? How did the infrastructure change?

Developing a National Culture

• Roaring Twenties also saw the creation of many national heroes • Public was recovering from WWI and the new cultural changes – heroes reminded them of the “good old days” • Heroes had bravery and were courageous – representing the values of America

Developing a National Culture

• Charles Lindbergh – nicknamed “Lucky Lindy” became the world’s best and most famous aviator • Contest for $25,000 for first non-stop flight from New York to Paris – across the Atlantic Ocean • Took off from Roosevelt Field, Long Island May 20, 1927

Developing a National Culture

• Lindbergh landed in Paris 34 hours later on May 21, 1927 • Flight was very difficult – no co-pilot, no computer, weak radio • Lindbergh was given Congressional Medal of Honor and became global icon

Society in the 1920’s

Developing a National Culture

• Amelia Earhart became first woman to fly solo, non-stop across the Atlantic in 1928.

• Broke numerous flying records during the 1920’s – first to Hawaii from California • In 1937 she tried to fly around the world – disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. Declared dead in 1939.

Developing a National Culture

• Boxing became very popular – Jack Dempsey became a heavyweight legend.

• Babe Ruth became a national hero with his record breaking 60 home runs.

• Gertrude Ederle – gold medalist in the 1924 Olympics – 1926 first woman to swim across the English Channel (35 mi.)

Society in the 1920’s

Developing a National Culture

• Changes in mass media also helped promote a new national culture and identity • Before the 1920’s America was very regionalized – they did not share common culture • Films, news gathering and the new radio broadcasting changed all that

Developing a National Culture

• Between 1910 and 1930 the number of theaters rose from about 5,000 to 22,500 – selling 80 million tickets a week • First film introduced with sound – The Jazz Singer in 1927 • Audiences loved it – called them “talkies”

Developing a National Culture

• Americans used newspapers and magazines to follow the off-screen lives of stars • The use of newsprint doubled between 1914 and 1927 – newspapers grew in size and circulation • Newspaper companies were combined – helping to create a national culture

Developing a National Culture

• In 1920 Frank Conrad – an engineer – set up a radio transmitter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Conrad sent recorded music and baseball scores over the air – response was fantastic • First U.S. radio station developed – KDKA – by 1922 500 stations were on the air

Developing a National Culture

• The radio, combined with the Great Migration of African-Americans to northern cities helped make jazz music popular in the 1920s • Jazz grew out of ragtime and blues music of the south • By 1929 – two-thirds of the radio stations were dedicated to jazz music

Developing a National Culture

• 1920’s also became known as the Jazz Age • Most popular place to hear jazz music was Harlem – a district in northern Manhattan • Harlem had over 500 jazz clubs where musicians – mostly black – entertained audiences

Developing a National Culture

• Famous musicians like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman rose from Harlem • Dance called the Charleston was the “in” thing to do – wild, reckless and full of kicks • The jazz uprising in Harlem created what was called the Harlem Renaissance

Developing a National Culture

• The Harlem Renaissance transformed the African-American identity • Painting, and literature also thrived along with music during the Harlem Renaissance • Langston Hughes, Claude McKay and Dorothy West were famous Harlem Renaissance artists

Developing a National Culture

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Why is it important to have a national culture?

• How did a national culture grow during the 1920s?

• What is the most interesting part of the Harlem Renaissance to you? Why?

Capone and Scopes

• Rapid social change after World War I caused conflicts among people with differing beliefs and values.

• The 18 th Amendment passed in January 1920 made all alcoholic beverages illegal.

• Prohibition – had worthy intentions.

Capone and Scopes

• Eliminate drunkenness and abuse of family members • Get rid of saloons where prostitution and gambling thrived.

• Prevent absenteeism and on the job accidents.

Capone and Scopes

• Not everyone obeyed the law – 95% of the people in Kansas obeyed – 5% of people in New York.

• Bootleggers developed – people who provided illegal alcohol in the U.S.

• Some operated private stills – others smuggled it in from Canada and Caribbean.

Capone and Scopes

• Bootleggers sold their alcohol to owners of speakeasies – or illegal bars and saloons.

• Speakeasies were hidden, and people entering often had to say a password or show a membership card to get in.

• Bootlegging also led to organized crime waves.

Capone and Scopes

• “Gangsters” controlled alcohol distribution, gambling, racketeering, and prostitution.

• For gangsters, territory equaled money – gangs fought for control of more territory.

• Fights were bloody – machine guns, shotguns and other violent weapons were used.

Capone and Scopes

• The most notorious gangster outfits operated in Chicago.

• In 1925 a young gangster murdered his way to the top – named Al “Scarface” Capone.

• Capone made $60 million a year from illegal activities and bought police and judges for protection.

Capone and Scopes

• Capone eventually was convicted of income tax evasion in 1931 – Prohibition ended in 1933.

• Religion was also a area of conflict in the 1920s – especially the subject of evolution.

• A debate formed over whether or not evolution should be taught in public school.

Capone and Scopes

• Religious fundamentalists – or strict followers of religion were feeling threatened throughout the 1920s.

• Questions were being asked about God’s role in life – the devastation of war caused the questions.

• Fundamentalists hated the idea of evolution – because it went against the story of the bible.

Capone and Scopes

• Tennessee following fundamentalist urging banned the teaching of evolution in school.

• A science teacher named John T. Scopes challenged this law – and arrested for teaching evolution.

• The trial that followed became famous – known as the Scopes Trial.

Capone and Scopes

• Trial put country’s best lawyers head to head – William Jennings Bryan (fundamentalist) and Clarence Darrow (for evolution).

• Trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee in July 1925.

• Press swarmed – first trial ever broadcast over the radio.

Capone and Scopes

• Scopes found guilty – paid a $100 fine.

• Best part of trial was when Darrow put Bryan on the stand and directly questioned him on the bible.

• The debate was engaging to the public – Bryan died days later.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Why did it take so long to convict Al Capone, a well-known criminal of illegal crimes?

• The Scopes Trial is also known as the “Monkey Trial” – why do you think it gained this nickname?

• What was the debate that led to the Scopes Trial?

Racial Tensions

• Americans clashed over race in the 1920s.

• During the summer of 1919, mob violence between black and white Americans erupted in 25 cities.

• Called the “Red Summer” because of all the blood that was spilled.

Racial Tensions

• The worst of the race riots occurred in Chicago.

• Stone throwing at a Lake Michigan beach led to a violent race riot.

• After the riot, 23 blacks were dead and 15 whites died – 537 wounded – massive property loss.

Racial Tensions

• The Ku Klux Klan also saw a revival in the 1920s behind the leadership of William J. Simmons.

• 1922 KKK had 100,000 members – by 1924 it was up to 4 million.

• Not just a southern problem now – largest membership was in Indiana – a northern state.

Racial Tensions

• Federal Government once again fought back – leader of KKK in Indiana arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

• By 1927 – KKK had diminished again thanks to government action.

• KKK still had an impact in the 1920s – terrorizing, killing and lynching.

Racial Tensions

• African-Americans became frustrated with violence and racism – dreamed of returning to homeland.

• Marcus Garvey led a movement to try to make that happen.

• Garvey – from Jamaica – established the Universal Negro Improvement Association – UNIA.

Racial Tensions

• Garvey encouraged blacks to build self-respect and economic power.

• Also supported a movement to return to “motherland Africa” – and a separation of the races.

• Garvey raised $10 million for a steamship company called the Black Star Line.

Racial Tensions

• However, Garvey was sentenced to prison on fraud charges.

• Later he was deported back to Jamaica – and the UNIA in America collapsed.

• Garvey’s ideas served as an inspiration for future black Civil Rights movement leaders.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Compare and contrast the KKK and Marcus Garvey’s UNIA movement. How were the two movements similar, and how were they different.

• Imagine you were at the Lake Michigan beach when the Chicago race riot broke out. Write a diary entry discussing what you saw, and your reaction.

Red Scare

• The Russian Revolution in 1917 and a series of strikes and bombings at home convinced people that political violence was a real threat to America.

• Communism was being ushered into Russia and threatened American values and beliefs.

Red Scare

• Communism has three main parts: • 1. The government owned all land and property.

• 2. A single political party controlled the government.

• 3. The needs of the country is more important than the needs of the individual.

Red Scare

• However, the major reason Americans feared communism because it was hostile against capitalism and freedom – and they wanted to spread communism throughout the world.

• The Russian communist flag was red – hence, Americans fear of communism became known as the “Red Scare”.

Red Scare

• During the Red Scare – Americans became suspicious of European radicals entering the country.

• The Supreme Court decision in Schenk vs. U.S. gave the government power to jail radicals.

• During WWI, Charles Schenk mailed letters to drafted men urging them not to report for duty.

Red Scare

• Schenk was arrested and he defended himself with the “freedom of speech” argument.

• Supreme Court overruled Schenk, saying that freedom of speech can be suspended when there is a “clear and present danger”.

• The case opened the door for the “Palmer Raids”.

Red Scare

• A series of bombs exploded in several cities – damaging the home of A. Mitchell Palmer – Attorney General of U.S.

• Palmer convinced that radicals were trying to overthrow government.

• Claimed they were a “clear and present danger” to the U.S.

Red Scare

• Palmer led government raids that arrested suspected radicals.

• Many arrested were innocent – and deported without evidence.

• Palmer Raids lost steam as people lost faith in the methods being used.

Red Scare

• The Red Scare also played a part in one of the most controversial events in US history.

• Gunmen robbed and killed a guard and paymaster of a shoe factory in Massachusetts.

• Police arrested two Italian immigrants – Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti.

Red Scare

• Guns were found on both men when arrested – and Sacco’s gun matched the model used in the shooting.

• However, many Americans felt the two men were arrested because they were radicals.

• Many criticized the trial as unfair – but they were convicted and electrocuted for the crime.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Why did Americans fear communism?

• What was the Supreme Court’s explanation for ruling against Charles Schenk’s claim to freedom of speech?

• Discuss and describe the case of Sacco and Vanzetti.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Labor strikes throughout the country fueled more fear of a communist revolution in America.

• 3,500 to 4,500 strikes between 1916 and 1920. • Fear was that communist agitators were behind the strikes.

Labor Strikes and Republican Rule

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Boston police formed a union – angry over no pay raise since 1914.

• 19 officers fired for union activity – whole police force went on strike.

• Rioting started in Boston – National Guard called in to restore order.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Most Americans opposed strikes – viewed them as anti-American.

• It was thought that radical immigrants were responsible for organizing unions and strikes.

• Lack of support from citizens and government reduced union membership.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Red Scare also affected elections in the United States.

• Americans felt Republicans were more likely to restore stability.

• Result was a Republican dominance throughout the 1920s.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Republicans favored business and sought social stability.

• In 1920 Warren Harding became president – promised a return to “normalcy”.

• Defeated Democrat James Cox.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Adopted an isolationist foreign policy.

• Isolationism led to the country becoming nativist.

• Public opinion and policy favored native-born Americans over immigrants.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• The nativist shift happened because: • 1. Belief that immigrants could never be fully supportive of US.

• 2. Most nativists were Protestant. Immigrants were mostly Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox and Christians.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• 3. Nativists blamed city slums on immigrants.

• 4. American workers believed that immigrants were a threat to jobs.

• 5. Immigrants from countries blamed for The Great War (Southeastern Europe) were considered dangerous.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Harding administration passed the National Origins Act of 1924.

• Limited annual immigration to 350,000 • Quota established to limit immigrants from each nation.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Promoted “disarmament” which called for nations to voluntarily reduce military.

• Passed Fordney-McCumber Tariff which promoted big business.

• Raised import taxes to high levels to deter imports – however this hurt U.S. industry.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Harding made mistake by appointing many friends to important cabinet positions.

• They were called “The Ohio Gang” • Some members involved in bribes, and theft of government money.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• The most famous Harding Administration scandal was the Teapot Dome Scandal.

• Secretary of the Interior, Albert Fall, gave rights to private oil companies to drill on government reserves in Teapot Dome, Wyoming.

• Fall was given $400,000 in bribes.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• Some became suspicious of Fall’s increased standard of living.

• Investigation exposed Fall and he was convicted and sentenced to jail time.

• Fall was the first cabinet member to ever to go to prison.

Labor Strikes and Harding

• There was no evidence that Harding was involved with any of the scandals.

• Harding died of a heart attack on August 2, 1923. Some believe strain from scandals caused it.

• Vice President Calvin Coolidge took over Presidency.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• What was the purpose and the effect of the National Origins Act of 1924?

• What were the reasons for the “nativist” shift in America?

Business Boom

• Coolidge was widely respected for his role in the Boston Police Strike in 1919.

• He brought back honesty to the office, as he did not interfere with investigations.

• Continued most policies of Harding administration.

Business Boom

• Coolidge was quiet – but an effective speaker.

• Practiced laissez-faire policy with American business.

• “The business of the American people is business.”

Business Boom

• Coolidge declined to run in 1928 • 1928 Election: Herbert Hoover (Rep.) vs. Alfred E. Smith (Dem.) • Hoover won. He was recognized for his hunger programs during the war, and benefited from the “Coolidge Prosperity”.

Business Boom

• After a short recession following the war, US economy boomed.

• Wages increased, and the amount of millionaires doubled.

• Developed a consumer economy - a large amount of buying.

Business Boom

• Installment plans (buying on credit) fueled consumer economy. • By 1929, Americans used installment plan to buy: – 60% of cars – 70% of furniture – 85% of appliances

Business Boom

• First automobile model was developed in 1892. • In the 1920’s the automobile became available in the mass market.

• Henry Ford developed his own method of production that revolutionized the industry.

Business Boom

• Ford was a young engineer who spent his spare time developing a “horseless carriage” • Started his own automobile company in 1903.

• Sold 30,000 “Model T’s” in 1908.

Business Boom

• Ford wanted to produce enough cars so that they could be affordable to everyone.

• To produce that many cars he created his own assembly line.

• Became one of the most influential people of the century.

Business Boom

• Each worker does one task – they master their position.

• At height of assembly line, one Model T was produced every 24 seconds.

• By 1927, Ford’s Model T’s accounted for half of the cars in the world.

Business Boom

• • • • • • Automobiles gave rise to suburbs – people began moving out of the cities.

Automobiles supported other businesses: Gas stations Car dealerships Motels Restaurants

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• How did buying on credit change the practices of the American consumer?

• How did the automobile affect American way of life?

Hidden Economic Dangers

• While most Americans enjoyed a better standard of living, others struggled.

• Unskilled laborers remained poor – and for many farmers the 1920s brought devastation.

• During war time farm prices were high – but post war conditions caused prices to drop.

Hidden Economic Dangers

• Debt for farmers was rising – they had bought land during war boom and could not pay.

• The coal industry and cotton textiles also were suffering.

• Demand during war was high but not anymore.

Hidden Economic Dangers

• Stock market considered the weather vane of the nation’s economy • Market value of stocks was $27 billion in 1925. By 1929 it was $87 billion.

• Wages rose by 40 percent since 1914 – Unemployment under 4 percent

Hidden Economic Dangers

• Unions were weakened after 1919 labor unrest • Companies kept unions weak with welfare capitalism.

• Raised wages, paid vacations, health plans, English classes – kept workers from joining unions.

Hidden Economic Dangers

• Economy was not as strong as it appeared there were warning signs of danger • Uneven prosperity: Only rich were getting richer, and small business was not prospering.

• By 1929, 200 companies controlled 49 percent of industry.

Hidden Economic Dangers

• Buying on credit: increased personal debt • Assembly line manufacturing made goods more available • Installment plans made goods irresistible to consumers – even though they could not afford them

Hidden Economic Dangers

• 71 percent of families below $2,500 yearly income • 80 percent of families had zero savings • Some families needed their children to work for additional income just to survive

Hidden Economic Dangers

• People played the stock market with hopes of getting rich quick • Speculation: making high risk investments with hopes of getting high gain • Buying on margin practices increased to attract lower income investors

Hidden Economic Dangers

• There was also the problem of too many goods and too little demand.

• Industry began making more than consumers were buying.

• The economy in the 1920s was “sick” – and no one saw it until it was too late.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Which industries were not benefitting from the business boom of the 1920s, and why?

• How is buying stocks on margin similar to using installment plans?

• Describe the distribution of wealth in the United States in the 1920s, and how were families affected?