The Roaring TwentiesThe Roaring Twenties

Historical Historical Context of Context of The Great The Great

GatsbyGatsby

What Were the 1920s What Were the 1920s Like?Like?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoy9ih8BeQE

Why Were the 20s Why Were the 20s Roaring?Roaring?

• During the 20s, the country During the 20s, the country experienced a great period of experienced a great period of growth. growth.

• The economy was booming, The economy was booming, industries were thriving, and industries were thriving, and there was a cultural and there was a cultural and artistic shift.artistic shift.

• We were truly a consumerist We were truly a consumerist society.society.

Feeling in the 1920sFeeling in the 1920s

• After WW1, people had an “I-can-do-After WW1, people had an “I-can-do-anything” feeling – they believed that anything” feeling – they believed that a certain level of success was a certain level of success was attainable, and that morally they attainable, and that morally they were untouchable. were untouchable.

• Many immigrants moved to the Many immigrants moved to the States, once again having the belief States, once again having the belief that the American Dream was in their that the American Dream was in their reach. reach.

Feeling in the 1920sFeeling in the 1920s

• People were optimistic, & happy about People were optimistic, & happy about the end of the war and their future. the end of the war and their future. Positivity was in the air. Celebrations Positivity was in the air. Celebrations and parties were the norm.and parties were the norm.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG3EwKUAOzQ

EconomicsEconomics

• After WW1, the After WW1, the economy recovered economy recovered greatly – mainly greatly – mainly because of because of postponed spending postponed spending & recovery.& recovery.

• The U.S. officially The U.S. officially became the richest became the richest country in the worldcountry in the world..

ProhibitionProhibition• After the war, the amount After the war, the amount

of drinking amongst citizens of drinking amongst citizens increased. Therefore, a increased. Therefore, a strong movement to strong movement to eradicate alcohol use eradicate alcohol use began, spearheaded by began, spearheaded by female activists. female activists.

• Due to prohibition, the Due to prohibition, the demand for illegal alcohol demand for illegal alcohol increased – bootleggers increased – bootleggers would therefore make a would therefore make a very large profit by very large profit by producing “bathtub producing “bathtub alcohol.”alcohol.”

IndustryIndustry• The 20s saw a growth of different The 20s saw a growth of different

economic industries.economic industries.• While radio, movies, and chemical While radio, movies, and chemical

industries contributed to the industries contributed to the economic growth, it was the economic growth, it was the import of cars, then considered a import of cars, then considered a luxury, that were considered to be luxury, that were considered to be most important.most important.

• Due to all of the new technologies Due to all of the new technologies that were available, more that were available, more infrastructure was able to be built infrastructure was able to be built (mostly funded by the (mostly funded by the government.government.

• People also moved to larger, more People also moved to larger, more urban cities, compared to living in urban cities, compared to living in rural towns. rural towns.

CarsCars

• Due to the increase of cars on the market, roads had to Due to the increase of cars on the market, roads had to be re-paved, new rules were introduced, and be re-paved, new rules were introduced, and signs/lights had to be put up for safety purposes. signs/lights had to be put up for safety purposes.

• Several new cars were put out on to the market, Several new cars were put out on to the market, including Ford’s Model T, the Rolls Royce, and the including Ford’s Model T, the Rolls Royce, and the Duesenberg. Duesenberg.

• Cars were also more colourful and attractive, reflecting Cars were also more colourful and attractive, reflecting the wealth and lifestyle of their owners. the wealth and lifestyle of their owners.

StyleStyle• The twenties were famous for the The twenties were famous for the

flapperflapper style, in which young women style, in which young women started wearing shorter skirts and started wearing shorter skirts and bobs, compared to more bobs, compared to more conservative Victorian era clothing conservative Victorian era clothing of the past.of the past.

• This style was largely influenced by This style was largely influenced by French culture and style, especially French culture and style, especially that started by Coco Chanelthat started by Coco Chanel

• Heels, loose dresses, and overly Heels, loose dresses, and overly extravagant jewelry were considered extravagant jewelry were considered to be part of the flapper style. to be part of the flapper style.

• The flapper style reflected the luxury The flapper style reflected the luxury and wealth of the time, and the and wealth of the time, and the hedonism experienced by society. hedonism experienced by society.

MusicMusic• http://www.youtube.com/watc

h?v=QJSdk44gWIE• The 1920s were considered to The 1920s were considered to

be the “Jazz Age” with regards be the “Jazz Age” with regards to popular music at the time. to popular music at the time.

• The effects of jazz are seen The effects of jazz are seen throughout pop culture since. throughout pop culture since.

• Introduced by mass radio, jazz Introduced by mass radio, jazz was seen as a way for the was seen as a way for the youth of the 1920s to rebel youth of the 1920s to rebel against traditional culture. against traditional culture.

• Dances such as the Charleston Dances such as the Charleston became popular as jazz became popular as jazz became increasingly heard. became increasingly heard.

LiteratureLiterature

• Novels in the 20s reflected the changing attitudes Novels in the 20s reflected the changing attitudes towards gender, and the modernization of society. The towards gender, and the modernization of society. The jazz age, the Harlem Renaissance, and modern industry jazz age, the Harlem Renaissance, and modern industry were prominent themes in 1920s literature. were prominent themes in 1920s literature.

• Many other books analyzed World War 1 and its effects Many other books analyzed World War 1 and its effects on the soldiers and their associates. on the soldiers and their associates.

Relevancy to Relevancy to The Great The Great GatsbyGatsby

• Gatsby Gatsby was set in New York during the 1920s, was set in New York during the 1920s, and examined the excessive yet shallow and examined the excessive yet shallow lifestyle of the young and rich.lifestyle of the young and rich.

• The themes reflect the values of society & The themes reflect the values of society & cautions readers about the downfalls of excess cautions readers about the downfalls of excess and reckless behaviour.and reckless behaviour.