What were the High Points & Low Points of 1920's Culture & Society?

1. What were the High Points & Low Points of 1920's Culture & Society?

2. Booming Business & Stock Market Big money is made by big industrialists Automobile, oil, and steel New technology creates new jobs Little government regulation allows industry to grow faster Uneven Prosperity Farmers lost money when Europe recovers from WWI Stop buying American farm products Coal miners suffer because oil replaces coal as a source of energy Railroads lose business due to cars and trucks Labor unions suffer due to government hands off approach 1920’s Economics High Points Low Points

3. Fun times & Fads Flappers Young women who rebelled against tradition Short hair, short dresses, smoking, and bootleg alcohol Other fads include: Flagpole sitting, dance marathons, the Charleston (dance) Fear of Communism & Anarchy (people who oppose the government) Communist leaders (Lenin/USSR) called for workers everywhere to overthrow their governments Americans saw strikes across the nation as the start of a communist revolution (Red Scare) During the Red Scare, thousands were arrested 1920’s Life & Times High Points Low Points Shipwreck Kelly 49 Days! Flagpole sitting Lenin/USSR Communism

4. Jazz blends W. African rhythm, African American Spirituals, European Harmony new brand of music is appreciated by all Harlem Renaissance Rebirth of African American culture Langston Hughes was the best known poet of the era Writes about the experiences of African Americans African Americans face widespread prejudice Rebirth of KKK Racial tensions cause rioting in big cities Return of nativism (anti-foreign feeling) Quota system limits the amount of immigrants that can enter the U.S. System favored immigrants from N. Europe over W. Europe 1920’s Art & Social Attitudes High Points Low Points Louis Armstrong JAZZ!

5. What were the High Points & Low Points of 1920's Culture & Society?

6. Notable Events • Sacco and Vanzetti Trial • Trial symbolized the anti-foreign feeling of the 1920’s (Nativism) • Sacco & Vanzetti were Italian immigrants who were arrested for robbery and murder with limited evidence • After a trial that many thought was unfair, they were executed • Scopes Trial • The trial centered on the debate between the Biblical Creation Theory versus Darwin’s Theory of Evolution • John Scopes taught evolution in class and was arrested • Scopes was convicted and fined and the laws against teaching evolution remained but were rarely enforced

7. Notable Events • Marcus Garvey and the back to Africa movement • Garvey urged African Americans to go back to their roots in Africa • Few left but the movement built racial pride • Election of 1928 • Herbert Hoover (R) easily beats Alfred E. Smith (D) • Smith is the first Catholic to run for president • Anti-Catholic feelings play a part in the outcome • Americans believe that Hoover will continue prosperity • 1 year later the economy crashes Herbert Hoover

8. Heroes of the 1920’s • Charles A. Lindbergh • Crosses the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis • Babe Ruth • Helped the Yankees win 7 World Series • Helen Wills • Becomes tennis champ and a role model for women

9. New technology helped create an economic boom & jobs New freedoms for women Jazz & classic literature Uneven prosperity Increased racism & nativism Tough times for farmers & Unions Fear of communism & anarchy Conclusion What were the HIGH points & LOW points of 1920’s culture and society? Low Points High Points

11. Chicago, 1922. Female Beach Goers Arrested for Indecent Exposure

13. I, too sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, Eat in the kitchen, Then. Besides, they’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America. Langston Hughes

15. Anything Goes Words & Music by Cole Porter 1927 In olden days a glimpse of stocking Was looked on as something shocking Now heaven knows, anything goes Good authors too who once knew better words Now only use four letter words writing prose Anything goes

17. “America must be kept American” Calvin Coolidge

19. “The business of America is business. The man who builds a factory builds a temple. The man who works there worships there” Calvin Coolidge