The Tumultuous 1920s

The New Era: 1920s

• The business of America and the consumer economy.• Republican politics: Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover• The culture of Modernism: science, the arts, and

entertainment• Responses to Modernism: religious fundamentalism,

nativism, and Prohibition• The ongoing struggle for equality: African Americans

and women

I. Pro-Business Republican Administrations

• Progressive reform ended.

• Americans became more comfortable with big business.

• Role of the government-• Labor Unions – • Conservative economic

policy ruled the day.

II. Modern Culture

• By the end of the decade, most middle class families could afford an automobile.

• This led to the rise of the suburbs and forced the quick development of roads.

• Radio became a necessity for American homes and coincided with the increase in modern advertising.

• Consumerism led to more women entering the workforce.

• Reflecting increased leisure time, movies and sports grew in popularity.

• In New York City, a flourishing of African-American culture called the Harlem Renaissance took place.

• Part of this was the development of jazz.

• The decade became known as the jazz age.

III. Backlash Against Modern Culture

• The Ku Klux Klan’s membership grew to over 5 million.

• U.S. Population in 1929 – 100 million

• The Klan expanded their hate to include immigrants, Catholics, and Jews

IV. Backlash Against Immigrants

• Sacco and Vanzetti, two Italian immigrant anarchists were charged with murder, convicted and executed.

• This reflected the anti-immigrant sentiment of the era.

• Emergency Quota Act of 1924.

V. Scopes Trial

• John Scopes intentionally violated the anti-evolution law in Tennessee.

• Clarence Darrow vs. William Jennings Bryan

• Reflected the tensions of the time period.