Ch. 13: Postwar Social Ch. 13: Postwar Social ChangeChange

1920-19291920-1929

Section 1: Society in the Section 1: Society in the 1920s1920s

The 1920s marked a period of rapid social The 1920s marked a period of rapid social change in the United States. Many changes change in the United States. Many changes challenged cultural norms and values of the day.challenged cultural norms and values of the day.

Women’s Changing RolesWomen’s Changing Roles Many of the changes Many of the changes

in the era revolved in the era revolved around women.around women.

During WWI, many During WWI, many women entered the women entered the work force.work force.

The Nineteenth The Nineteenth Amendment, adopted Amendment, adopted in 1920, granted in 1920, granted women the right to women the right to vote.vote.

FlappersFlappers

A new type of young women: rebellious, energetic, bold, fun-loving, and A new type of young women: rebellious, energetic, bold, fun-loving, and risqué were known as flappers.risqué were known as flappers.

Flappers began wearing shorter hair, shorter dresses, and heavy makeup.Flappers began wearing shorter hair, shorter dresses, and heavy makeup. Flappers challenged traditional values, with new styles of dress and Flappers challenged traditional values, with new styles of dress and

dancing. Some drank alcohol or smoked in public. dancing. Some drank alcohol or smoked in public.

FlappersFlappers

Flappers offended many Flappers offended many people.people.

The New York Times wrote in The New York Times wrote in July 1920, “the American July 1920, “the American woman… has lifted her skirts woman… has lifted her skirts far beyond any modest far beyond any modest limitation.”limitation.”

Between 1913 and 1928, the Between 1913 and 1928, the average amount of fabric used average amount of fabric used to make a woman’s outfit went to make a woman’s outfit went from 19.5 yards to 7 yards.from 19.5 yards to 7 yards.

Women Working and VotingWomen Working and Voting Increasingly, women entered the work force.Increasingly, women entered the work force. Most working women were young and single, but Most working women were young and single, but

by 1930, 29% of all working women were by 1930, 29% of all working women were married.married.

Businesses remained prejudiced against women Businesses remained prejudiced against women seeking professional jobs.seeking professional jobs.

Women VotingWomen Voting

As of 1920, women could vote in all elections.As of 1920, women could vote in all elections. Early on, most women either did not exercise their right to Early on, most women either did not exercise their right to

vote or voted in patterns similar to men.vote or voted in patterns similar to men. As the 1920s progressed, more women began to vote.As the 1920s progressed, more women began to vote. Jeannette Rankin of Montana won election to the U.S. Jeannette Rankin of Montana won election to the U.S.

House of Representatives. Became first women elected to House of Representatives. Became first women elected to Congress.Congress.

Americans on the MoveAmericans on the Move

The 1920s magnified the gap between rural and The 1920s magnified the gap between rural and urban society.urban society.

The industrial economy of the city thrived during The industrial economy of the city thrived during the 20s.the 20s.

6 million people moved from rural to urban areas.6 million people moved from rural to urban areas.

Urban MigrationUrban Migration

Education increased in urban settingsEducation increased in urban settings In 1920 there were 2.2 million high school In 1920 there were 2.2 million high school

students, in 1930 there were 4.4 million.students, in 1930 there were 4.4 million. Youth in rural areas were needed for farm Youth in rural areas were needed for farm

labor, urban youth were more free to attend labor, urban youth were more free to attend school into their teenage years.school into their teenage years.

Rural and urban America were divided on Rural and urban America were divided on cultural issues.cultural issues. Many rural Americans viewed the cultural Many rural Americans viewed the cultural

changes occurring in cities as immoral, changes occurring in cities as immoral, dangerous, or corrupt.dangerous, or corrupt.

African American “Great African American “Great Migration”Migration”

Many African Many African Americans moved Americans moved from the South to from the South to northern cities, the northern cities, the “Great Migration.”“Great Migration.”

2 million African 2 million African Americans moved to Americans moved to northern cities from northern cities from 1910-1930.1910-1930.

Played a significant Played a significant role in the cultural role in the cultural changes occurring in changes occurring in urban areas.urban areas.

Growth of the SuburbsGrowth of the Suburbs As cities grew and As cities grew and

transportation improved, transportation improved, many Americans began many Americans began to move into the suburbs.to move into the suburbs.

Trolleys were replaced by Trolleys were replaced by buses in many areas and buses in many areas and automobiles became automobiles became more affordable. more affordable.

Example: in NYC, Example: in NYC, Manhattan’s population Manhattan’s population decreased, but the decreased, but the suburb of Queens’ suburb of Queens’ population doubled.population doubled.

Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh

Charles Lindbergh was among several of the idolized Charles Lindbergh was among several of the idolized heroes of the 1920s.heroes of the 1920s.

In 1927, Lindbergh became the first person to fly nonstop In 1927, Lindbergh became the first person to fly nonstop from New York to Paris.from New York to Paris.

Praised not only for his flying achievements but his Praised not only for his flying achievements but his steady, down-to-earth character. steady, down-to-earth character.

Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart In 1932, Amelia Earhart In 1932, Amelia Earhart

became the first woman became the first woman to fly solo across the to fly solo across the Atlantic.Atlantic.

She set other aviation She set other aviation records, including a solo records, including a solo flight from Hawaii to flight from Hawaii to California.California.

In 1937, while In 1937, while attempting to fly around attempting to fly around the world, she went the world, she went missing after completing missing after completing 2/3 of the trip.2/3 of the trip.

Sports HeroesSports Heroes

Spectator Sports greatly increased in popularity in Spectator Sports greatly increased in popularity in the 1920s.the 1920s.

Heavy commercialization increased both the Heavy commercialization increased both the audience and revenue of athletics, turning sports audience and revenue of athletics, turning sports into big business.into big business.

Jack DempseyJack Dempsey

Famous boxer, Jack Dempsey, beat Georges Famous boxer, Jack Dempsey, beat Georges Carpentier in 1921 to become the world heavyweight Carpentier in 1921 to become the world heavyweight champion.champion.

The fight broke the record for ticket sales, earning $1 The fight broke the record for ticket sales, earning $1 million.million.

Dempsey became popular around the country.Dempsey became popular around the country.

Jim ThorpeJim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe was and Jim Thorpe was and Olympic gold medalist Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon and in the decathlon and pentathlon.pentathlon.

He played professional He played professional baseball and went on to baseball and went on to be a professional be a professional football star in the football star in the 1920s.1920s.

An American IndianAn American Indian

George Herman “Babe” George Herman “Babe” RuthRuth

Most famous of all athletes during the 1920s, and possibly all U.S. History, Most famous of all athletes during the 1920s, and possibly all U.S. History, was “Babe” Ruth.was “Babe” Ruth.

Ruth hit 714 career home runs, a record unbroken for 40 years.Ruth hit 714 career home runs, a record unbroken for 40 years. Beyond achievements, Ruth was famous for his bold, charismatic personality.Beyond achievements, Ruth was famous for his bold, charismatic personality.

Women in SportsWomen in Sports People from all aspects of People from all aspects of

life began to participate in life began to participate in sports, including women.sports, including women.

Hazel Wightman and Hazel Wightman and Helen Wills were Olympic Helen Wills were Olympic and Wimbledon tennis and Wimbledon tennis stars.stars.

Gertrude Ederle was an Gertrude Ederle was an Olympic freestyle Olympic freestyle swimming champion.swimming champion. In 1926, Ederle became the In 1926, Ederle became the

first woman to swim across first woman to swim across the English Channel, 35 the English Channel, 35 miles long.miles long.

Section 2: Mass Media and Jazz Section 2: Mass Media and Jazz AgeAge

1920s were greatly shaped by the introduction of mass media and the Jazz Age

Mass MediaMass Media

New and improved methods of film, print, and broadcasting created New and improved methods of film, print, and broadcasting created the birth of mass media, communication with large audiences.the birth of mass media, communication with large audiences.

Film and radio broadcasting became more popular during the era.Film and radio broadcasting became more popular during the era.

MoviesMovies Between 1910 to 1930 the Between 1910 to 1930 the

number of movie theaters number of movie theaters rose from 5,000 to 22,500.rose from 5,000 to 22,500.

Moviemaking became the Moviemaking became the fourth largest business in fourth largest business in the country by 1929.the country by 1929.

Hollywood became Hollywood became moviemaking capital of moviemaking capital of America.America.

Early movies were silent, Early movies were silent, The Jazz SingerThe Jazz Singer becomes becomes the first successful sound the first successful sound film, a “talkie”.film, a “talkie”.

Newspapers and MagazinesNewspapers and Magazines Newspaper print and circulation Newspaper print and circulation

roughly doubled between 1914 and roughly doubled between 1914 and 1927.1927.

Profits, not quality, drove Profits, not quality, drove newspaper publishers.newspaper publishers. Tabloids, papers with large Tabloids, papers with large

headlines, few words and many headlines, few words and many pictures, became popular. pictures, became popular.

William Randolph Hearst said he William Randolph Hearst said he wanted 90% entertainment, 10% wanted 90% entertainment, 10% information.information.

Magazines also rose in popularityMagazines also rose in popularity Saturday Evening Post, Reader’s Saturday Evening Post, Reader’s

Digest, and TimeDigest, and Time

RadioRadio

In 1920, engineer Frank Conrad set up a radio transmitter in his garage In 1920, engineer Frank Conrad set up a radio transmitter in his garage and began sending recorded music and baseball scores over the radio.and began sending recorded music and baseball scores over the radio.

Response was so positive it became the first commercial radio station, Response was so positive it became the first commercial radio station, Pittsburgh KDKA.Pittsburgh KDKA.

By 1922, there were more than 500 stations on the air.By 1922, there were more than 500 stations on the air.

The Jazz AgeThe Jazz Age

““(Jazz was) an expression of the times, of the breathless, energetic, superactive times in (Jazz was) an expression of the times, of the breathless, energetic, superactive times in which we are living.”which we are living.”

-Leopold Stokowski-Leopold Stokowski

““Jazz objectifies America… a group of people can come together and create art, improvised Jazz objectifies America… a group of people can come together and create art, improvised art, and can negotiate their agendas with each other.” art, and can negotiate their agendas with each other.”

-Wynton Marsalis -Wynton Marsalis

Jazz ArrivesJazz Arrives

Jazz music grew out of African American music of the South, a Jazz music grew out of African American music of the South, a mixture of ragtime and blues.mixture of ragtime and blues.

Jazz becomes a nationwide craze.Jazz becomes a nationwide craze. Young people loved dancing to jazz music, causing some opposition Young people loved dancing to jazz music, causing some opposition

to the new sound.to the new sound. The 1920s is sometimes referred to as the Jazz AgeThe 1920s is sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age

Jazz Clubs and Dance HallsJazz Clubs and Dance Halls

Harlem becomes a popular Harlem becomes a popular Jazz area, with roughly 500 Jazz area, with roughly 500 jazz clubs.jazz clubs.

Many upscale clubs were Many upscale clubs were attended primarily by attended primarily by wealthy whites, but the wealthy whites, but the jazz was played almost jazz was played almost exclusively by African exclusively by African Americans.Americans.

Most popular of jazz dance Most popular of jazz dance forms was “the forms was “the Charleston”, a wild, Charleston”, a wild, reckless dance full of kicks reckless dance full of kicks and twists and pivots.and twists and pivots.

Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong Most important and Most important and

influential figure in Jazz influential figure in Jazz history.history.

Grew up in New Orleans, Grew up in New Orleans, where he learned to sing where he learned to sing and play trumpet.and play trumpet.

His skill, improvisation, His skill, improvisation, showmanship, and new showmanship, and new “scat” singing made him a “scat” singing made him a huge hit.huge hit.

““Duke” EllingtonDuke” Ellington

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington performed in NYC.Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington performed in NYC. ““Duke” was a pianist, band leader, an arranger, and Duke” was a pianist, band leader, an arranger, and

a composer. a composer. Wrote over a thousand pieces in his career.Wrote over a thousand pieces in his career.

The Jazz SpiritThe Jazz Spirit

Jazz spirit ran through all the arts of Jazz spirit ran through all the arts of the 1920s.the 1920s.

People spoke of “jazz poetry” or “jazz People spoke of “jazz poetry” or “jazz painting”.painting”.

More than a genre of music, “jazz” More than a genre of music, “jazz” became an identity and became an identity and characteristic.characteristic.

PaintingPainting

Georgia O’Keeffe painted naturalistic scenes Georgia O’Keeffe painted naturalistic scenes like flowers, landscapes, and oceans.like flowers, landscapes, and oceans.

LiteratureLiterature Sinclair Lewis- attacked Sinclair Lewis- attacked

American society through his American society through his writings.writings.

““savorless people, gulping tasteless savorless people, gulping tasteless food, and sitting afterward, coatless food, and sitting afterward, coatless and thoughtless, in rocking-chairs and thoughtless, in rocking-chairs prickly with inane decorations, prickly with inane decorations, listening to mechanical music, listening to mechanical music, saying mechanical things about the saying mechanical things about the excellence of Ford automobiles, and excellence of Ford automobiles, and viewing themselves as the greatest viewing themselves as the greatest race in the world.” race in the world.”

––Sinclair Lewis, Main Street (1920)Sinclair Lewis, Main Street (1920)

Eugene O’Neill- play writer; Eugene O’Neill- play writer; wrote dark, poetic tragedies.wrote dark, poetic tragedies.

The Lost GenerationThe Lost Generation

Many writers found postwar America materialistic, and Many writers found postwar America materialistic, and unintellectual.unintellectual.

These writers and artists left the U.S. for Europe, many in These writers and artists left the U.S. for Europe, many in Paris, France, where they produced many of their classics.Paris, France, where they produced many of their classics.

Coined a “Lost Generation” of writers, the group included Coined a “Lost Generation” of writers, the group included E.E. Cummings, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. E.E. Cummings, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Right: Hemingway

The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance

Harlem, NYC served not Harlem, NYC served not just as a center for jazz just as a center for jazz music, but also gave birth music, but also gave birth to an African American to an African American literary, artistic, and literary, artistic, and cultural awakening.cultural awakening.

This movement was This movement was called the Harlem called the Harlem Renaissance. Renaissance Renaissance. Renaissance is French for rebirth. is French for rebirth.

Langston HughesLangston Hughes Most famous of these African American Most famous of these African American

writers was poet Langston Hughes.writers was poet Langston Hughes.

A Dream Deferred What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore--

And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet?Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Section 3: Cultural ConflictsSection 3: Cultural Conflicts

A period of rapid cultural change, the A period of rapid cultural change, the 1920s often sparked significant 1920s often sparked significant conflict between people with conflict between people with different values, morals, and beliefs.different values, morals, and beliefs.

ProhibitionProhibition In 1920, the 18In 1920, the 18thth Amendment, Amendment,

a prohibition of the production a prohibition of the production and consumption of alcohol, and consumption of alcohol, took effect.took effect.

Prohibitionists sought to…Prohibitionists sought to… Eliminate drunkenness and abuseEliminate drunkenness and abuse Get rid of salons, where gambling Get rid of salons, where gambling

and prostitution also thrivedand prostitution also thrived Prevent absenteeism and on-the-Prevent absenteeism and on-the-

job accidents stemming from job accidents stemming from drunkennessdrunkenness

ProhibitionProhibition

Despite the new Despite the new Amendment, the Amendment, the prohibition was largely prohibition was largely ignored.ignored. Even President Harding Even President Harding

continued to drink alcohol.continued to drink alcohol.

Accentuated the contrast Accentuated the contrast between rural and urban between rural and urban moral values.moral values. 95% of Kansans obeyed the law95% of Kansans obeyed the law 5% of New Yorkers obeyed the 5% of New Yorkers obeyed the

lawlaw

BootleggingBootlegging

Bootleggers was the name given to those who produced and/or Bootleggers was the name given to those who produced and/or supplied alcohol illegally.supplied alcohol illegally.

Speakeasies were bars that operated illegally.Speakeasies were bars that operated illegally. Speakeasies thrived in the citiesSpeakeasies thrived in the cities

The state of Massachusetts has 1,000 salons before the prohibition, but had The state of Massachusetts has 1,000 salons before the prohibition, but had 4,000 speakeasies in Boston alone during it.4,000 speakeasies in Boston alone during it.

Organized CrimeOrganized Crime Bootlegging operations led to Bootlegging operations led to

other forms of illegal activity, other forms of illegal activity, gambling, prostitution, and gambling, prostitution, and racketeering (bribing police and racketeering (bribing police and government to ignore illegal government to ignore illegal activities)activities)

Al Capone- the most notorious of Al Capone- the most notorious of these new gangsters wielded these new gangsters wielded enormous power. enormous power. Operating in Chicago, Capone made Operating in Chicago, Capone made

$60 million a year from bootlegging $60 million a year from bootlegging alone.alone.

Finally was convicted of income-tax Finally was convicted of income-tax evasion and sent to prison in 1931.evasion and sent to prison in 1931.

Religious FundamentalismReligious Fundamentalism

Many religious Americans Many religious Americans were concerned about were concerned about modern society’s modern society’s questioning of scriptural questioning of scriptural accuracy.accuracy.

Published 12 pamphlets Published 12 pamphlets called called The FundamentalsThe Fundamentals, , and soon became known as and soon became known as religious fundamentalists. religious fundamentalists. Major belief being the inerrancy Major belief being the inerrancy

of scriptureof scripture

Evolution and the Scopes Evolution and the Scopes TrialTrial

Fundamentalists denounced evolutionary theory.Fundamentalists denounced evolutionary theory. Tennessee banned teaching evolution in schools.Tennessee banned teaching evolution in schools. John T. Scopes, a science teacher, taught John T. Scopes, a science teacher, taught

evolution anyway and was arrested, his highly evolution anyway and was arrested, his highly publicized trial is remembered as the Scopes Trial.publicized trial is remembered as the Scopes Trial.

Scopes TrialScopes Trial

William Jennings Bryan, William Jennings Bryan, a fundamentalist, a fundamentalist, volunteered to volunteered to prosecute Scopes.prosecute Scopes.

Clarence Darrow was Clarence Darrow was the defendant.the defendant.

Scopes was found guilty Scopes was found guilty but the case highlighted but the case highlighted a very distinct national a very distinct national clash of values, pitting clash of values, pitting science against faith.science against faith.

Racial Conflict: Revival of the Racial Conflict: Revival of the KlanKlan

During Reconstruction, the During Reconstruction, the Ku Klux Klan was virtually Ku Klux Klan was virtually wiped out.wiped out.

In 1915, a Methodist In 1915, a Methodist preacher from Atlanta preacher from Atlanta revived the organization.revived the organization.

By 1922, Klan membership By 1922, Klan membership had grown to 100,000, in had grown to 100,000, in 1924, it had grown to 4 1924, it had grown to 4 million.million.

The “new” KKK hated not just The “new” KKK hated not just African Americans, but any African Americans, but any “un-American” groups: Jews, “un-American” groups: Jews, Catholics, and immigrants.Catholics, and immigrants.

Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey Marcus Garvey was born in Marcus Garvey was born in

Jamaica and moved to NYC in Jamaica and moved to NYC in 1916.1916.

Garvey founded the Universal Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).Association (UNIA).

Promoted black self-pride and Promoted black self-pride and power, helped set up black-power, helped set up black-owned businesses.owned businesses.

Started a “back to Africa” Started a “back to Africa” movement, encouraged blacks movement, encouraged blacks to return to Africa to create a to return to Africa to create a self-governing nation.self-governing nation.

Garvey’s MovementGarvey’s Movement Garvey was not embraced by all Garvey was not embraced by all

African Americans, including African Americans, including W.E.B. Du Bois who disagreed W.E.B. Du Bois who disagreed with Garvey’s call for a with Garvey’s call for a separation of races.separation of races.

Garvey collected $10 million for Garvey collected $10 million for a steamship company to take a steamship company to take his followers back to Africa.his followers back to Africa.

Corruption and mismanagement Corruption and mismanagement ended the shipping line and ended the shipping line and placed Garvey in prison for mail placed Garvey in prison for mail fraud in 1925. fraud in 1925.