The Roaring 20s

HARLEM RENAISSANCE&PROSPERITY

Life in HarlemIn 1920s, about 200,000 African Americans lived in the city.Most lived in Harlem, the unofficial capital of African American culture and activism. Strong sense of racial pride and identity in this new placeAttracted a historic influx of talented African Americans resulting in the Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem RenaissanceHarlem: the place to be for artists, writers poets and performersRacial pride fueled by idea of new negroConfidence and freedom of expression Whites attracted to speakeasies in Harlem not only by Alcohol but also … JAZZ!

The Jazz AgeJazz was inspired at the beginning by minstrel shows“a black imitation of a white caricature of black music “

1895—New Orleans, Louisiana: Trombonist William Cornish

From MinstrelsyMinstrel Show perpetuated negro stereotypesBut, helped Blacks enter the field of show.Generations of black entertainers imitated in turn the white stereotypes of African-American behavior till the 20s.

1820s

1927

To Jungle SoundCotton Club gigs featured jungle decor & costumes to accompany the "jungle sound," intended to imply the "exotic" music of Africa.Only in the 1940’s did Duke Ellington seek to present black music as high art

f Africa.

1927

Controversial jazzJazz a reputation as immoralThreatening old cultural values and promoting decadent values A Professor of Princeton University wrote: “it is not music at all. It's merely an irritation of the nerves of hearing."Media denigrated jazz: The NYT told a story claiming jazz caused the fatal heart attack of a celebrated conductor

Heroes of JazzLouis Armstrong (1901 – 1974)Duke Ellington

The Jazz Age

Harlem was a vital center for jazz1929 – 60% of radio air time was playing jazz.500 jazz clubs including the Cotton Club

BACK TO BUSINESSWhat made the Harlem Renaissance possible?How did economic prosperity contribute to the cultural boom?Clue: Times is gettin' harder,

Money’s gettin' scarce.Soon as I gather my cotton and

corn,I’m bound to leave this place.

URBANIZATIONFor first time the census reflected an urban society. People had moved into cities to enjoy a higher standard of living

Agricultural Transformation

Agricultural depression in early 1920's contributed to urban migrationU.S. farmers lost markets in postwar EuropeAgricultural efficiency increased so more food produced (more food = lower prices) and fewer labourers neededfarming was no longer as prosperous, and bankers called in their loans (farms repossessed)

Age of ProsperityAfter a brief depression, 1920-1921US came out of WWI as the world’s largest creditor nation. Between 1922 and 1928 industrial productivity rose by70%Wages at an all-time highElectric power in households increased 19-fold between 1912 and 1929. ( from 20% to 70%)

Widespread Consumerism

Decade of economic prosperity, growing popular culture & widespread consumerism. •Women increasingly entered the work force. •White collar jobs rose•The workweek shortened to forty hours allowing for more

leisure time•Boom of movie industry & Advent of the radioHuge increase of consumer products created a need for advertising and sales people.

Consumer Economy

Advertising emerged as a new industry

Manufacturers mastered production and needed now mass markets for their goodsUsed persuasion, allure, and sexual suggestionSports Became a big business

1920s ConsumerismBuying Goods on Credit & Installment Plans Advertising and increase in consumerism led to the rise of credit

Instead of paying in cash could put anything on credit or installment

The decade of an easy life and enjoyment was heading for a paradox.

Credit and installment plans encouraged people to spend money they didn’t have

Fueled growth of the consumer economy.

Most Americans began to only worry about the present without any concern for the future

Decade of Spending