The 1920sThe 1920sThe Jazz Age The Jazz Age

The Roaring TwentiesThe Roaring Twenties

A Decade of ContrastsA Decade of Contrasts

Isolationism vs. Social UnrestIsolationism vs. Social UnrestReturn to Normalcy vs. Political TurmoilReturn to Normalcy vs. Political TurmoilProhibition vs. SpeakeasiesProhibition vs. SpeakeasiesTraditionalism vs. ModernismTraditionalism vs. ModernismEconomic Boom vs. Financial BustEconomic Boom vs. Financial Bust

Isolationism vs. Social UnrestIsolationism vs. Social Unrest

November 11, 1918November 11, 1918– Armistice Day: Cease-Fire in EuropeArmistice Day: Cease-Fire in Europe

June 28, 1919June 28, 1919– Treaty of Versailles SignedTreaty of Versailles Signed

November 1919November 1919– U.S. Senate Rejected TreatyU.S. Senate Rejected Treaty• Fear of alliances, being drawn into future warsFear of alliances, being drawn into future wars• U.S. preferred a policy of isolationismU.S. preferred a policy of isolationism• U.S. did NOT join The League of NationsU.S. did NOT join The League of Nations

A Gap in the Bridge . . .A Gap in the Bridge . . .

Isolationism vs. Social UnrestIsolationism vs. Social Unrest19191919– Racial TensionRacial Tension– Returning African-Americans soldiers wanted Returning African-Americans soldiers wanted

immediate equalityimmediate equality– Great MigrationGreat Migration witnessed half a million Black witnessed half a million Black

Americans move to the NorthAmericans move to the North• Settled in areas previously dominated by WhitesSettled in areas previously dominated by Whites• Return of White soldiers led to competitionReturn of White soldiers led to competition

– Summer of 1919Summer of 1919• Over 20 Over 20 race riotsrace riots throughout country throughout country• Chicago Race Riot – 38 Dead, over 500 injuredChicago Race Riot – 38 Dead, over 500 injured

A Movement of the Masses . . .A Movement of the Masses . . .

Isolationism vs. Social UnrestIsolationism vs. Social Unrest

19191919– A Year of StrikesA Year of Strikes• A General Strike in Seattle began a sweep of A General Strike in Seattle began a sweep of

strikes across the Nationstrikes across the Nation

• Workers fought to keep gains achieved Workers fought to keep gains achieved during WWI and for higher wagesduring WWI and for higher wages

• Steelworkers strike – many are immigrants; Steelworkers strike – many are immigrants; Company blamed strike on foreign radicalsCompany blamed strike on foreign radicals

Isolationism vs. Social UnrestIsolationism vs. Social Unrest

19191919– Red ScareRed Scare Began Began• Fear that Communists might seize powerFear that Communists might seize power

– Attorney General Attorney General A. Mitchell PalmerA. Mitchell Palmer led led series of “series of “Palmer RaidsPalmer Raids””• Raided headquarters of “radicals”Raided headquarters of “radicals”• Deported thousands without actual evidenceDeported thousands without actual evidence

– Effect of Red ScareEffect of Red Scare• Americans link immigrants with radicalismAmericans link immigrants with radicalism• Congress passed laws limiting immigrationCongress passed laws limiting immigration

Cleaning the Nest . . .Cleaning the Nest . . .

More Social Unrest: NativismMore Social Unrest: Nativism Nativism ResurfacedNativism Resurfaced New Immigration LawsNew Immigration Laws

– 1921 1921 Emergency Quota ActEmergency Quota Act• Limited Immigration to 3% of total number of ethnic group Limited Immigration to 3% of total number of ethnic group

already in U.S.already in U.S.

– 1924 1924 National Origins ActNational Origins Act• Made Immigration Restrictions permanent; Tightened Made Immigration Restrictions permanent; Tightened

Quota System to 2%Quota System to 2%

The Case ofThe Case of Sacco & Vanzetti Sacco & Vanzetti– 1920 Anarchist immigrants arrested for murder1920 Anarchist immigrants arrested for murder

– 1927 Executed despite lack of evidence, obvious 1927 Executed despite lack of evidence, obvious prejudice of the judgeprejudice of the judge

Close the Gate . . .Close the Gate . . .

Funneling the Crowd . . . Funneling the Crowd . . .

More Social Unrest: NativismMore Social Unrest: Nativism Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan

– 1915 New Version Founded1915 New Version Founded

– Central Message:Central Message:White Protestant hegemony threatened by White Protestant hegemony threatened by

Catholics, Jews, Black Americans, ImmigrantsCatholics, Jews, Black Americans, Immigrants

– 1924 Membership reached 4 million1924 Membership reached 4 million• Elected to State/Local Governments across U.S.Elected to State/Local Governments across U.S.

EugenicsEugenics– Claimed human race could be improved by breeding Claimed human race could be improved by breeding

– Fueled nativists’ claims of superiority of “original” American Fueled nativists’ claims of superiority of “original” American born Protestants, warned against “mixing breeds”born Protestants, warned against “mixing breeds”

– W. Wilson, H. Cabot Lodge embraced ideologyW. Wilson, H. Cabot Lodge embraced ideology

Normalcy vs. Political TurmoilNormalcy vs. Political Turmoil Republicans control White House during decadeRepublicans control White House during decade 1920 Warren G. 1920 Warren G. HardingHarding elected elected PresidentPresident– Promised “Promised “a return to normalcya return to normalcy” after war years” after war years– Appointed “Ohio Gang”, his friends, to his CabinetAppointed “Ohio Gang”, his friends, to his Cabinet

Harding on his appointments: “They’re the ones that Harding on his appointments: “They’re the ones that keep me walking the floors at night”keep me walking the floors at night”

The Teapot Dome Oil ScandalThe Teapot Dome Oil Scandal– Albert Fall of the Ohio Gang leased Navy oil reserves Albert Fall of the Ohio Gang leased Navy oil reserves

to private interests for bribesto private interests for bribes– Some lands located in Teapot Dome, WyomingSome lands located in Teapot Dome, Wyoming– Fall 1Fall 1stst Cabinet officer to go to prison Cabinet officer to go to prison

Harding’s Legacy . . .Harding’s Legacy . . .

Normalcy vs. Political TurmoilNormalcy vs. Political Turmoil 1923 Harding died on tour of the West1923 Harding died on tour of the West Calvin Coolidge became presidentCalvin Coolidge became president ““Silent Cal” on business:Silent Cal” on business:– ““The business of America is business”The business of America is business”– Preferred limited to no government Preferred limited to no government

involvementinvolvement– A move toward laissez-faire economicsA move toward laissez-faire economics

1928 Republican Herbert Hoover Elected 1928 Republican Herbert Hoover Elected Pres.Pres.– The New EraThe New Era: Harding, Coolidge, Hoover: Harding, Coolidge, Hoover

Prohibition vs. SpeakeasiesProhibition vs. Speakeasies 1818thth Amendment Amendment (The Noble Experiment)(The Noble Experiment) Volstead ActVolstead Act

– Provided for Enforcement of AmendmentProvided for Enforcement of Amendment– Not enough funds or AgentsNot enough funds or Agents

Led to an increase in organized crimeLed to an increase in organized crime– BootleggersBootleggers smuggledsmuggled alcoholalcohol in from Canada, in from Canada,

CaribbeanCaribbean– SpeakeasiesSpeakeasies emerged: secret bars, sold alcohol illegally emerged: secret bars, sold alcohol illegally – Judges, police bribedJudges, police bribed– Led to decrease in respect for law & orderLed to decrease in respect for law & order

2121stst Amendment Amendment– 1933 1933 RepealedRepealed Prohibition Prohibition

Perception vs. Reality . . .Perception vs. Reality . . .

Traditionalism vs. ModernismTraditionalism vs. Modernism FundamentalismFundamentalism

– Religious movement (Religious movement (TraditionalismTraditionalism))– Believed in Believed in literal interpretation of the Bibleliteral interpretation of the Bible– Fought against: modern consumer culture, relaxed Fought against: modern consumer culture, relaxed

ethics, growing urbanismethics, growing urbanism 1925 Scopes Trial1925 Scopes Trial

– Debate over teaching of evolution in schools (Debate over teaching of evolution in schools (ModernModern))– John Scopes challenged TN law, firedJohn Scopes challenged TN law, fired– Scopes defended by Clarence DarrowScopes defended by Clarence Darrow– William Jennings Bryan was prosecutorWilliam Jennings Bryan was prosecutor– Highlight of Trial: Scopes cross-examined BryanHighlight of Trial: Scopes cross-examined Bryan– Scopes found guilty, fined $100Scopes found guilty, fined $100

The Media’s Take on the Scopes TrialThe Media’s Take on the Scopes Trial

More ModernismMore Modernism The Changing Role of WomenThe Changing Role of Women– Empowered by work during WWIEmpowered by work during WWI

1920: 191920: 19thth Amendment Amendment The FlapperThe Flapper– Embraced a “New Morality”Embraced a “New Morality”

• Glorified youth and personal freedomGlorified youth and personal freedom– Some women remained single, held jobsSome women remained single, held jobs– Cut hair short (bobbed)Cut hair short (bobbed)– Hem lines rose, wore flesh-colored stockingsHem lines rose, wore flesh-colored stockings– Smoked, drank, dancedSmoked, drank, danced

Margaret Sanger popularized term “birth Margaret Sanger popularized term “birth control”, founded Planned Parenthood organ.control”, founded Planned Parenthood organ.

Editing the Dictionary . . .Editing the Dictionary . . .

The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem RenaissanceWhat was it?What was it?– Celebration of Celebration of African-American African-American

achievements in the achievements in the artsarts, , literatureliterature, and music, and music– Results in large part from Great MigrationResults in large part from Great Migration

Key FeatureKey Feature– Rise of JazzRise of Jazz– Popularity of Jazz attributed to African-Popularity of Jazz attributed to African-

American musiciansAmerican musicians– The Cotton Club a popular hangoutThe Cotton Club a popular hangout• Black Performers, White AudienceBlack Performers, White Audience

Jeunesse . . .Jeunesse . . .

More on The Harlem RenaissanceMore on The Harlem Renaissance

MusiciansMusicians– Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington– Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong – Bessie Smith (blues)Bessie Smith (blues)• 1927 Highest Paid Black Artist in the World1927 Highest Paid Black Artist in the World

Significant WritersSignificant Writers– Claude McKayClaude McKay

• Worked Expressed Proud Defiance of RacismWorked Expressed Proud Defiance of Racism

– Langston HughesLangston Hughes• Poet, leading voice of the African-American Poet, leading voice of the African-American

experience in the United Statesexperience in the United States

Selected Poems of Langston HughesSelected Poems of Langston Hughes

“Youth”

We have tomorrowBright before usLike a flame

Yesterday, a night-gone thingA sun-down name

And dawn todayBroad arch above the road we cameWe march!

“I, Too”

I, too sing AmericaI am the darker brother

They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,

But I laugh,And eat well,

And grow strong.Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the tableWhen company comes.

Nobody’ll dareSay to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”Then.

Besides,They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed –I, too am America

African-American PoliticsAfrican-American Politics

Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey– Jamaican immigrantJamaican immigrant– Founded the Universal Negro Improvement Founded the Universal Negro Improvement

Association (UNIA)Association (UNIA)– Promoted “Negro Nationalism”Promoted “Negro Nationalism”• Opposed integration, emphasized Black Opposed integration, emphasized Black

nationalism and Black Pridenationalism and Black Pride

– Opened the Black Star LineOpened the Black Star Line– Started a “Started a “Back to AfricaBack to Africa” movement” movement– Convicted of mail fraud, jailed, then deportedConvicted of mail fraud, jailed, then deported

Modernism: Pop CultureModernism: Pop Culture

EntertainmentEntertainment– TalkiesTalkies• 1927 The Jazz Singer: 11927 The Jazz Singer: 1stst Movie with Sound Movie with Sound• 1928 Steamboat Willie: 11928 Steamboat Willie: 1stst Animated Movie w/ Sound Animated Movie w/ Sound

– 1920 First Commercial 1920 First Commercial RadioRadio Station Station• Helped create a common national culture, Helped create a common national culture, regional regional

differences not as pronounceddifferences not as pronounced

Sports HeroesSports Heroes– 1927 Babe Ruth: Hits 60 Home Runs1927 Babe Ruth: Hits 60 Home Runs– Jack Dempsey: Heavyweight ChampJack Dempsey: Heavyweight Champ

Modernism: Pop CultureModernism: Pop Culture The “Biggest” Hero of the DecadeThe “Biggest” Hero of the Decade– Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh “Lucky Lindy” “Lucky Lindy”– 1927 11927 1stst Person to Fly Solo Across the Atlantic Person to Fly Solo Across the Atlantic– Symbol of American ingenuity and courageSymbol of American ingenuity and courage

The Lost GenerationThe Lost Generation– Novelists disenchanted with life following WWINovelists disenchanted with life following WWI– F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald

• The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby, This Side of Paradise, This Side of Paradise– Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway

• A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell TollsA Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls– Sinclair LewisSinclair Lewis

• Main StreetMain Street

Modernism: Pop Culture - The ArtsModernism: Pop Culture - The Arts

Economic Boom vs. Financial BustEconomic Boom vs. Financial Bust

A Review, Republican Economic Policy:A Review, Republican Economic Policy:– Pro-business, relaxed regulationPro-business, relaxed regulation– Cut income taxes on highest income bracketCut income taxes on highest income bracket

1922 Fordney-McCumber Tariff1922 Fordney-McCumber Tariff– Highest American tariff ever to that pointHighest American tariff ever to that point– Protect American businessesProtect American businesses

Economic Boom vs. Financial BustEconomic Boom vs. Financial Bust

Time of “Prosperity”Time of “Prosperity”– Rising Standard of LivingRising Standard of Living– Average income rose 35%Average income rose 35%– New New electrical convenienceselectrical conveniences: refrigerators, vacuums, : refrigerators, vacuums,

toasterstoasters– Heavy investment in Heavy investment in stock marketstock market: hoped for quick : hoped for quick

profits to repay loansprofits to repay loans– Heavy Heavy advertisingadvertising by companies to sell products by companies to sell products– Buying goods on credit (installment plan)Buying goods on credit (installment plan)

Productivity increasedProductivity increased– Mass production created more supply, cut consumer Mass production created more supply, cut consumer

costscosts

Economic Boom vs. Financial BustEconomic Boom vs. Financial Bust

Henry Ford & The Automobile– Ford the 1st to use the moving assembly line• Combination of standardized parts + division of labor

– Introduced installment planImpact of the Automobile– New Roads Built: Route 66– Led to urban sprawl: Live farther from work– Families could vacation farther from home– Liberated isolated rural families– Led to new businesses: Service Stations, Hotels

Economic Boom vs. Financial BustEconomic Boom vs. Financial Bust

Really a Time of False Prosperity Era begins with what seemed like plenty of jobs and

available money, but . . .– Farming products sold poorly throughout decade

Hurt by: Overproduction and High Tariffs– Railroads received less business thanks to automobile– Unequal distribution of wealth:

Top 5% of wage earners earned 30% of incomeBottom 50% only received 20% of total income

– By 1927 people were running out of money & credit– People stopped investing in businesses, focused on stock

market