American culture in the 1920’s

1. American culture in the 1920’s Chelsieleacock, ashleycordwin, brad alfonso

2. “Roaring TWEnties” • The decade of the 1920s was often referred to as the “Roaring Twenties” to describe an atmosphere of fun, loud music, and wild enjoyment, where everyone enjoyed themselves. • It was not a completely accurate phrase. • Farmers – less money from war, more competition, very low demand all due to overproduction. • The 1920s was notable for a rebellion to traditional values .

3. Growing cities • There was a sharp rise in urbanization. • More Americans clustered in cities as part of the “change.” • Skyscrapers became widely popular. • Poor sanitation and overcrowding accompanied the growth of cities. • However, there were more jobs. • The cities were looked upon with disdain. They were thought to bring “evil” such as a “doing away” of religion and family life and introducing new ideas such as atheism and habits like drinking and criminalism.

4. entertainment • Radio • Jazz • Sport • Cinema

5. Radio • Radios became very popular. • Mostly all Americans listened and had their own set. • Household Installment programs were also established due to its large demand. • By 1922 the number of radio stations had soared to 508 from only one licensed notable radio station. • By 1929 NBC was making 150 million dollars per year from radio.

6. The jazz age • Jazz music emerged and attached itself to • the youth. • It was very popular among blacks, where it • first emerged. • The 1920s became known as the “Jazz • Age.” • Dances such as the “Charleston” • accompanied it. • Images of the “flapper” came with it. • The older generation saw the Jazz Age as • evil and destructive to previous moral • values.

7. Jazz age cont. • The “ideal” flapper was looked upon a s • “expensive and about 19.” • They were short dresses, make-up, and • smoked in public. • Jazz Music was cited as bad in articles which • stated that: • Jazz employs primitive rhythms which • excite the baser human instincts; • B) Jazz music causes drunkenness • because reason and reflection are lost.

8. Quick review • Why were the cities viewed as immoral? • Why did the radio stations grow to more than 500 by 1922? • What was thought to be the negative aspects of Jazz?

9. sport • The popularity of sports bloomed, baseball being the biggest of them. • New legendary teams emerged such as “New York Yankees” and “Boston Red Sox.” • Boxing also became popular due to figures such as Jack Dempsey.

10. Cinema • Film industries developed like Hollywood. • Popular “stars” were Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Douglas Fairbanks. • Until 1927 all movies were silent until the first “talkie” came out. • Grew into a multi-billion dollar business. • About 100 million were being sold each week.

11. morals • Morality became a hot area as traditional morals and ethics were seen to be slipping from society. • This was especially true in the area of sexuality. • Sex became more popular instead of “taboo.” • It made its commonplace in newspapers, everyday conversation, and especially films. • Popular films that featured sexuality – Forbidden Path, When a Woman Sins, Her Purchase Price, and A Shocking Night. • Men and women actors became known as “sex symbols” • 36 states threatened to introduce a censorship legislation due to the worry of the sex-obsessed films

12. Morals cont. • Contraceptive advice was openly available for the first time • There was an increase in the number of cases in which sex outside of marriage took place

13. The car • The motor car was a main factor that led to all the new features of the 1920’s being possible • Cars helped lead to the growth of cities by opening up the suburbs and carrying people to where they needed to go • It was said that “Cars carried boyfriends and girlfriends beyond the moral gaze of their parents” • They also carried many of people to sporting events, vacations, and to visit their families as well as friends

14. Quick review • What were some outcomes of cinema on traditional values? • How important was the motor car in making all other aspects of 1920’s culture possible

15. Women in 1920 • Women received the vote in all states • Their domestic work was made easier due to the • introduction of new electrical goods • The traditional rules followed by older women were not as • serious to the younger women • Younger women became more daring with their clothes, • they smoked in public, drank with men in public as well • kissed in public • They ventured out with men without a chaperone • There were 10 million women in jobs in 1929- 24% more than in 1920 • Women, since they made money of their own now, became targets of advertising

16. Women in 1920 cont. • Women became less likely to stay in unhappy marriages- in 1914 there were 100,000 divorces; in 1929 there were twice as many • Even though women took jobs, they were still paid less than men even if they did the same job • Women weren’t seen as equals to men when it came to things such as politics • Political parties wanted the vote of women, but they did not wish to have women as political candidates- considered them “unelectable” • Even though there was a presence of women in media, those in America still kept traditional values

17. Activity • Make a Venn diagram comparing the culture between that in 1920 and now

18. assignment • Answer the following questions • Either write the question then answer or restate the question within your answer • Why was the 1920’s called “The Roaring Twenties”? • How were the cities viewed as a threat to traditional values? • Why was jazz music viewed as a corrupting influence? • Why was there an explosion of sexuality in the 1920’s? • Why did cinema become so popular in this time period?