The Decade of the 1920’s in Focus

THE ROARING TWENTIES

Social Themes: Conflict of Ideas

Dramatic difference emerges between the “traditional ways” of the past and the new “modern ways” of the 1920’s.

The conflict is most often associated with the difference between rural and urban areas.

Conservative v. Liberal (no-change v. change)

Up tempo v. Tranquil societies

Social Themes: ReligionThe traditional v. modern conflict seen

here as well, in the form of “Fundamentalist v. Agnostic”.

Cities with their vibrant wild style different greatly from small town America with their tranquil fundamentalist nature.

Social Themes: The Scopes TrialBackground: John Scopes, the issue of

Evolution and rural Tennessee.The players: Clarence Darrow and

William Jennings Bryan. Agnostic v. Fundamentalist.

The result, a setback for the fundamental rural lifestyle.

Social Themes: Prohibition

Fundamentalists in the 1910-1920’s began pointing to alcohol as “the” fundamental problem in society. It causes drunkenness which leads to crime, vagrancy and the disintegration of the family…so let’s get rid of it.

Amendment 18 in 1920 abolishes the manufacture and transportation of alcohol. Problem? Consumption.

Social Themes: Prohibition’s results

The intentions were pure…solve societal woes. But in the process you create more problems. All are tied together.

Organized crimeGamblingBootleggingProstitution

Social Themes: Prohibition impacts:

Furthers the divide between fundamentalists and modernists.

America sees a new urban night lifestyle emerge.

The roles of women, men, and society change in the wake of the noble experiment.

Social Issues: The Role of Women

Impact of WWI, women’s valiant contribution gains them respect.

Government inaction does little until 1918.

This shameful tradition comes to an end after women were mistreated, lied to, and abused much the way Indians were both in India and in the United States (Native Americans).

Social Themes: lifestyle shifts of women.

Independent a surge in energy. Led by the liberated woman employed in society armed with the right to vote women enjoy a renaissance.

Symbolized by the “Flapper” a woman with a shorter dress and unique style. They were well educated and asserted a new independence.

Next goal: assert their political independence.

Social Themes: Harlem RenaissanceIn the true spirit of the visionary

movement of W.E.B DuBois, a group of Harlem blacks caused a revolution in society with their greatness.

The success of Langston Hughes, Charles Johnson, Herbert Delaney, and Rudolph Fischer illustrated to all that this group of people could achieve greatness in all areas.

Cultural Themes: JazzAmerica’s first contribution to the

world of music (and art) was the Harlem Renaissance inspired development of Jazz.

Born in the wake of the great singer Paul Robeson’s achievements musicians like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith captivated the world.

Cultural Themes: OverviewThe 1920’s is referred to as the

roaring twenties. A major boom in economics occurs after the first world war. People had more free time to pursue different hobbies and interests. This was a first for many Americans-disposable time and money!

Emerging from the concept arose the cultural renaissance of America.

Cultural Themes: EducationWith the enhanced prosperity of the

post WWI generation, Americans found that they didn’t need to work 15 hours per day, and better yet kids didn’t have to work 70 hours per week. The result-America’s Second Educational Revolution.

Education becomes a huge industry.Growth of publishing and periodicals

Cultural Themes: Growth of Education.

Higher enrollment at schools, which led to a change in taxation policies of America. Property taxes-locals fund local schools.

Educating immigrantsTechnology required for employmentFor adults the boom of the News

industry, more disposable time and money means greater opportunities. Now they need to keep up with their learned children.

Cultural Themes: the early papersWere serious papers and magazines

such as time and the New York Times.Tabloids were introduced with

fantastic stories, and pictures.Ballyhoo-the blowing up of huge

insignificant events.

Cultural Themes: Heroes of Sport

Coinciding with American’s reading more papers was their new love affair with sport.

Charles Lindbergh had inspired an entire generation of heroes with his flight across the Atlantic.

Babe Ruth-the Sultan of Swat and Red Grange picked up the image of the great American hero with their astonishing sports achievements.

Cultural Themes: Rise of CinemaAs was the case with sport…if people

have money and will come to events, people will put them on.

First widespread movies were being produced and achieved modest popularity. However, the comic brilliance of Charlie Chaplin took the love of movies to a new level with his roles. A new industry is born.

Cultural Themes: WritersAs was the case with all cultural

phenomena if people can afford to read, watch or listen people will produce. Writing became more profitable and widespread. Leading to a golden age of American literature.

Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, and F. Scott Fitzgerald represent the new breed of authors which were opposed to the newfound concept of materialism.