The Roaring Life of the 1920s: Embracing Change and Culture

1. Chapter 21: The ROARING Life of the 1920's (PART II) ERA 7: The Emergence of Modern America

2. I WILL Gain an understanding of: • 1. American Life during the 1920’s • 2. Popular Culture During the 1920’s • 3. Politics and the Economy During the 1920’s • 7.3: How the United States changed from the end of World War I to the eve of the Great Depression 

3. *** Section 1: Changing Ways of Life

4. Changes in American Society • Between 1922-1929 migration to cities accelerated • Largest Cities in 1920’s in the U.S.: • 1. New York • 2. Chicago

5. Post WWI disillusionment • After WWI, young adults became critical and cynical about politics and Life in general

6. “The Lost Generation” • An era of Economic Prosperity & Uncertainty • Young, Urban intellectuals rebelled against conservative ways and consumerism

7. American Economy 20’s • U.S. Experienced An economic boom • 1. Unprecedented burst of consumer activity • 2. Credit introduced– “buy now, pay later” • 3. Rise in industrial production

8. Automobiles • Became affordable • By 1915, L.A. had heaviest traffic in the country… • 20% of Americans owned automobile by 1930

9. Snapshot of the 1920’s • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVOflzLGKCc

10. 1920’s -“Birth of Modern Culture” • Artists Blossomed in the 1920’s: • Writers • Musicians • Movie Makers • Creative artistic expression

11. 1920’s, Young Adults & Dance • Most popular dance: • “the Charleston” • Parents considered the dance inappropriate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJC21zzkwoE

12. The Charleston • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJC21zzkwoE

13. Jazz Music- “Truly American” • African American Music became mainstream • Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington • Jazz Age – popular amongst rebellious young adults • Scandalous dances such as the “Charleston” became popular

14. Harlem Renaissance • Harlem, New York • Center of African American life & culture • Writers, musicians, poets, artists expressed the joy and pain of being African American

15. The Harlem Renaissance – “Jump at the Sun” • Video: Zora Neale Hurston and the Harlem Renaissance

16. The Prohibition Experiment • Reformers considered alcohol prime cause of crime, spousal abuse, accidents on the job, etc. • Use and sale of alcohol a “moral issue”

17. The Prohibition Experiment

18. The Prohibition Experiment • Should Alcohol be banned in the U.S.? • The question divided Americans…

19. The Prohibition of Alcohol in the U.S. • 18th Amendment - Manufacture, sale and transportation of liquor was made illegal (1919) • The Volstead Act – enforced 18th Amend.

20. Prohibition Created a Culture of: • 1. Speakeasies • Underground, hidden night clubs • 2. Bootleggers • Those who smuggle alcohol

21. Random “Liquor” Inspection Checks

22. Los Angeles Speakeasies in the 1920’s • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpe0A1NyxXs

23. Disrespect for the LAW • Demand for alcohol grew as a result of the ban

24. Organized Crime emerged • Criminals took advantage of prohibition • Illegal manufacturing /sale of alcohol provided criminals with wealth • “mobsters” Could afford automobiles, machine guns, “nice suits”

25. Al Capone • Chicago based bootlegging, gambling empire • Earned him an income of $60 million!! • Was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 1931 for tax evasion…

26. Prohibition ended • On December 5th, 1933 • 21st Amendment - Repealed Prohibition

27. Celebrating the End of Prohibition

28. *** Section 2: 1920’s Woman

29. The Flapper – The “New Woman” • An emancipated young woman who embraced the new fashions, and urban attitudes

30. The Flapper • Women defied expectations of womanly behavior • 1. wore Shorter skirts • 2. wore heavy make up • 3. “bobbed” their hair • Embraced the “bad girl” image

31. Women & Freedom

32. Radical Change in Fashion

33. From Chaperones to Dating • Casual dating became accepted • However, Men argued women’s place was in the home

34. The Flapper Controversy • A sign of rebellion and immorality? • Or • An expression of female American Individualism?

35. New Work Opportunities for Women • Acceptable “Women’s Professions” • 1. Teachers • 2. Nurses • 3. Librarians • 4.Typists • 5. Filing Clerks • 6. Secretaries

36. *** Section 3: Education and Popular Culture

37. Education in the1920’s • High School available for all, not just the wealthy or college bound • Vocational classes available • Literacy increased

38. The Radio • Commercial radio most powerful communication medium • Reached 5 million homes across country • Established common cultural identity • National Broadcast System (NBC) founded

39. Entertainment Industry Emerges

40. “Moving Pictures” • Silent films • 1927 The Jazz Singer first “talkie” • Hollywood, CA became entertainment capital • “You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!” • First Animated film: Steamboat Willie, 1928 • Introduction of Mickey Mouse & Walt Disney

41. “The Jazz Singer” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkyvstNrkHo

42. Hollywood, California • The center of movie making by 1927 • 85% of film making in or around Hollywood • Promoted jobs & new industries (costume, agents, casting )

43. Impact of Film • Impact of radio & film: What does society learn from these methods of communication? • Do films “undermine morality” OR • Reinforce traditional values?

44. Impact of Film • 1. Movies reached all social classes • 2. Created an obsession with celebrities • 3. Reinforced Gender roles • 4. Introduced Fashion to mass audience

45. Weekend Entertainment • 1920’s Los Angeles… • What did people do for fun??

46. 1. Lion Farm, El Monte, CA

47. 1. Lion Farm, El Monte, CA

48. 1. LION FARM, EL MONTE, CA

49. 1. Lion Farm, El Monte

50. Lion Farm • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXdMQj03E8A