Culture of the 1920s

Mass media: forms of communication, such as newspapers and radio, that reached millions of people

Vocabulary

Youth of the 1920s Young Americans began

to break away from traditional behaviors◦ Began to throw lavish

parties, wear high fashion, and stay out late at nightclubs

◦ Went to the college to experience life away from home

Many Americans that lived in rural areas did not see this change◦ Mostly done by young

adults that lived in cities

Changes for Women 1920s brought radical

change for women◦ 19th amendment: Women’s

right to vote◦ Women began to run for

political offices Women started to get

jobs outside the home◦ Often as teachers or

secretaries Young women started to

attend college◦ Wanted a professional

career

Entertainment Mass media sparked a

change in attitude with new forms of communication◦ Newspapers and radios

reached millions of Americans

◦ Labor saving devices gave Americans more leisure time

Radio Entertainment Radio brought entertainment

into people’s homes◦ First broadcast was in 1920

Carried the presidential election returns

Transmitted by KDKA in Pittsburgh

Broadcasted popular programs across the nation◦ News, concerts, sporting

events, and comedies◦ Families sat down to listen to

the radio Businesses began to use the

radio as a new form to air advertisements

A Christmas Story: Radio Scene

Movies of the 1920s Motion picture industry in

Hollywood, California, became a leading business◦ Movies offered an escape for

Americans First movies were black and

white with silent dialogue printed on the screen◦ Silent Film: Charlie Chaplin

1927: the first “talkie”, The Jazz Singer, was released◦ Was the first time motion and

sound were put together◦ The Jazz Singer

Popular Sports The 1920s created popular

sporting events◦ Baseball, football, and boxing

were the most popular Sports stars became

heroes◦ Baseball fans idolized Babe

Ruth Hit 60 home runs in 1927 Record lasted 34 years

Football star was Red Grange◦ Scored four touchdowns in 12

minutes Boxing star was Jack

Dempsey

Fads of the 1920s Mah-jongg became

popular Contests such as

flagpole sitting and dance marathons made headlines◦ Often lasted three or four

days◦ flagpole sitting◦ dance marathons

Americans enjoyed the first Miss America Pageant ◦ First held in 1921

Write down three facts about the leisure activities in the 1920s.

Leisure Time

Steamboat Willie was the animated short by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks ◦ Was released in 1928

Steamboat Willie

FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT!