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The Flapper • Flapper—emancipated young woman, adopts new fashions, attitudes • Many young women want equal status with men, become assertive • Middle-class men, women begin to see marriage as equal partnership - housework, child-rearing still woman’s job The Double Standard
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The Flapper • • Flapper—emancipated young woman, adopts new fashions, attitudes • • Many young women want equal status with men, become assertive • • Middle-class men, women begin to see marriage as equal partnership • - housework, child-rearing still woman’s job • The Double Standard • • Elders disapprove new behavior and its promotion by periodicals, ads • • Casual dating begins to replace formal courtship • •Women subject to double standard (less sexual freedom than men) • must observe stricter standards of behavior • New Work Opportunities • After war, employers replace female workers with men • Female college graduates become teachers, nurses, librarians • Many women become clerical workers as demand rises • Some become sales clerks, factory workers • Few become managers; always paid less than men
The Changing Family • Birthrate drops partly due to more birth-control information • Manufactured products, public services give homemakers freedom • Housewives can focus more on families, pastimes, not housework • Marriages increasingly based on romantic love, companionship • Children spend most of day at school, organized activities • - adolescents resist parental control • Working-class, college-educated women juggle family, work • School Enrollments • High school population increases dramatically in 1920s due to: • - prosperity • - higher standards for industry jobs • Pre-1920s, high school for college-bound students • In 1920s, high schools also offer vocational training • Public schools prepare immigrant children who speak no English • School taxes increase as school costs rise sharply
Expanding News Coverage • Mass media shapes mass culture; takes advantage of greater literacy • By 1914, hundreds of local newspapers replaced by national chains • Radio Comes of Age • Radio is most powerful communications medium of 1920s • Networks provide shared national experience • - can hear news as it happens • 1920s, mass-market magazines thrive; Reader’s Digest, Timefounded • New-Found Leisure Time • In 1920s, many people have extra money, leisure time to enjoy it • Crowds attend sports events; athletes glorified by mass media • Lindbergh’s Flight • • Charles A. Lindbergh makes first solo nonstop flight across Atlantic • • Small-town Minnesotan symbolizes honesty, bravery in age of excess • • Lindbergh paves the way for other pilots
Entertainment and the Arts •Silent movies already a national pastime • Introduction of sound leads millions to attend every week • Playwrights, composers break away from European traditions • George Gershwin uses jazz to create American music • Painters portray American realities, dreams • Georgia O’Keeffe paints intensely colored canvases of New York Writers of the 1920s • Sinclair Lewis is first American to win Nobel Prize for literature - criticizes conformity, materialism • F. Scott Fitzgerald reveals negative side of era’s gaiety, freedom • Edna St. Vincent Millay celebrates youth, independence in her poems • Writers soured by American culture, war settle in Europe - called Lost Generation • Expatriate Ernest Hemingway introduces simple, tough, American style
The Move North • 1910–1920, Great Migration of thousands of African Americans • - move from South to Northern cities • By 1920, over 40% of African Americans live in cities • Racial tensions escalate in North; about 25 urban race riots in 1919 • African-Americans continue to migrate in large numbers in 1920s • African-American Goals • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) • - protests racial violence • NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson fights for civil rights legislation • NAACP antilynching campaign leads to drop in number of lynchings
Marcus Garvey and the UNIA • Marcus Garvey founds Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) - believes African Americans should build separate society • Garvey promotes black pride, black businesses, return to Africa African-American Writers • Harlem world’s largest black urban area; people from U.S., Caribbean • Harlem Renaissance—African-American literary, artistic movement - express pride in African-American experience • Claude McKay’s poems urge blacks to resist prejudice, discrimination • Langston Hughes’s poems describe difficult lives of working class - many written in jazz, blues tempo
African-American Performers • Influence, popularity of Harlem Renaissance go beyond black audience • Musical comedy Shuffle Along launches movement • - is popular with white audiences • African-American performers win large followings • • Paul Robeson—major dramatic actor in London, New York • African Americans and Jazz • • Jazz born in early 20th century New Orleans, spreads across U.S. • • TrumpeterLouis Armstrong makes personal expression key part of jazz • - most influential musician in jazz history • • Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington—jazz pianist, orchestra leader • - one of America’s greatest composers • • Cab Calloway, Armstrong popularize scat (improvised jazz singing) • • Bessie Smith—blues singer, perhaps best vocalist of decade
Chapter 14 The Great Depression • Industries in Trouble • Key industries like railroads, textiles, steel barely make profit • Mining, lumbering expanded during war; no longer in high demand • Coal especially hard-hit due to availability of new energy sources • Boom industries—automobiles, construction, consumer goods— now weak • Housing starts decline • Farmers Need a Lift • • International demand for U.S. grain declines after war • - prices drop by 40% or more • • Farmers boost production to sell more; prices drop further • • Farm income declines; farmers default on loans; rural banks fail • •Price-supports—government buys surplus crops, guarantees prices • - Coolidge vetoes price-support bill • Consumers Have Less Money to Spend • People buy less due to rising prices, stagnant wages, credit debts
Living on Credit • Many people buy goods on credit (buy now, pay later) • Businesses give easy credit; consumers pile up large debts • Consumers have trouble paying off debt, cut back on spending • Uneven Distribution of Income • In 1920s, rich get richer, poor get poorer • 70% of families earn less than minimum for decent standard of living • Most cannot afford flood of products factories produce • The Election of 1928 • Democrat Alfred E. Smith—four times governor of New York • Republican Herbert Hoover gets overwhelming victory • Dreams of Riches in the Stock Market • • Dow Jones Industrial Average tracks state of stock market • • 1920s, stock prices rise steadily; people rush to buy stocks, bonds • • Many engage in speculation, buy on chance of a quick profit • • Buying on margin—pay small percent of price, borrow rest
Black Tuesday • September 1929 stock prices peak, then fall; investors begin selling • October 29 or Black Tuesday, market, nation’s confidence plummet • Shareholders sell frantically; millions of shares have no buyers • People who bought on credit left with huge debts • Others lose most of their savings • Bank and Business Failures • • Great Depression—economy plummets, unemployment skyrockets • - lasts from 1929–1940 • After crash, people panic, withdraw money from banks • Banks that invested in stocks fail; people lose their money • 1929–1932, gross national product cut nearly in half • - 90,000 businesses go bankrupt • 1933, 25% of workers jobless; those with jobs get cuts in hours, pay
Worldwide Shock Waves • Great Depression limits U.S. ability to import European goods • Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act sets highest protective tariff ever in U.S. • Other countries cannot earn American currency to buy U.S. goods • International trade drops; unemployment soars around world Causes of the Great Depression • Factors leading to Great Depression: - tariffs, war debts, farm problems, easy credit, income disparity • Federal government keeps interest rates low, encourages borrowing The Depression in the Cities • People lose jobs, are evicted from homes • Shantytowns, settlements consisting of shacks, arise in cities • People dig through garbage, beg • Soup kitchens offer free or low-cost food • Bread lines—people line up for food from charities, public agencies • African Americans, Latinos have higher unemployment, lower pay
The Depression in Rural Areas • Most farmers can grow food for their families • About 400,000 farms lost through foreclosure • - many become tenant farmers • The Dust Bowl • • Farmers in Great Plains exhaust land through overproduction • • 1930s, drought, windstorms hit; soil scattered for hundreds of miles • • Dust Bowl— area from North Dakota to Texas that is hardest hit • • Many farm families migrate to Pacific Coast states • Hardship and the Family • Family is source of strength for most Americans • Some families break apart under strain of making ends meet
Men in the Streets • Many men used to working, supporting families have difficulty coping • - cannot find jobs • About 300,000 hoboes wander country on railroad box cars • No federal system of direct relief—cash or food from government • Women Struggle to Survive • Homemakers budget carefully, can food, sew clothes • Women work outside home; resented by unemployed men • Children Suffer Hardships • Poor diets, health care lead to serious health problems in children • Lack of tax revenue leads to shortened school year, school closings • Teenagers leave home, ride trains in search of work, adventure • Many women suffer in silence, ashamed to stand in bread lines
Social and Psychological Effects • 1928–1932, suicide rate rises over 30% • Admissions to state mental hospitals triple • People give up health care, college, put off marriage, children • Stigma of poverty doesn’t disappear; financial security becomes goal • Many show great kindness to strangers • Develop habit of saving and thriftiness • Hoover’s Philosophy • President Herbert Hoover tells Americans economy is sound • Many experts believe depressions a normal part of business cycle • Hoover: government should foster cooperation between competing groups • People should take care of own families, not depend on government • Hoover Takes Cautious Steps • Calls meeting of business, banking, labor leaders to solve problems • Creates organization to help private charities raise money for poor
Boulder Dam • Hoover’s Boulder Dam on Colorado River is massive project • - later renamed Hoover Dam • Provides electricity, flood control, water to states on river basin • Democrats Win in 1930 Congressional Elections • As economic problems increase, Hoover, Republicans blamed • Democrats win House; Republican Senate majority down to 1 vote • Farmers try to create food shortages to raise prices • Widespread criticism of Hoover: shantytowns called “Hoovervilles” • Hoover Backs Cooperatives • Hoover negotiates agreements among private entities • Backs Federal Farm Board (organization of farm cooperatives) • - buy crops, keep off market until prices rise • Gets large banks to establish National Credit Corporation
Direct Intervention • • Federal Home Loan Bank Act lowers mortgage rates • • Reconstruction Finance Corporation—emergency funds for businesses • • Hoover’s measures don’t improve economy before presidential election • The Patman Bill Denied • • Bonus Army—veterans go to D.C. in 1932 to support Patman Bill: • - want payment of bonus • • Hoover opposes bill; Senate votes down bill • • Most veterans leave Washington; about 2,000 stay to speak to Hoover • Hoover Disbands the Bonus Army • Hoover fears violence, calls on U.S. Army to disband Bonus Army • Infantry tear gas over 1,000 people, including children; many injured • Public is stunned, outraged by government’s actions
Chapter 15 The New Deal • Electing Franklin Delano Roosevelt • Democrats nominate NY governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt • - reform-minded; projects friendliness, confidence • Democrats overwhelmingly win presidency, Senate, House • Waiting for Roosevelt to Take Over • • With “Brain Trust,” FDR formulates policies to alleviate problems • • New Deal—relief for needy, economic recovery, financial reform • The Hundred Days • FDR launches Hundred Days; passes over 15 major New Deal laws • Emergency Banking Relief Act permits Treasury Dept. to inspect banks • - decides which are insolvent, sound, or need loans • - public confidence in banks revived
An Important Fireside Chat • FDR gives fireside chats—radio talks explaining New Deal measures • First chat discusses need for public support of government, banks • Regulating Banking and Finance • •Glass-SteagallAct establishes Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation • - insures individual bank accounts, regulates banking practices • • Federal Securities Act—companies must give all information on stocks • • Securities and Exchange Commission created to regulate stock market • • FDR gets law allowing production of some alcoholic beverages • • 21st Amendment repeals prohibition by end of 1933 • Rural Assistance • • Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)raises food prices, lowers supply • • Tennessee Valley Authoritycreates jobs renovating, building dams
Providing Work Projects • • Civilian Conservation Corps—public works jobs for young men • • Public Works Administration—money to states to create jobs • • Civil Works Administration builds rural schools, pays teachers • Promoting Fair Practices • • NIRA establishes codes of fair practice for industries • - creates National Recovery Administration (NRA) • • NRA sets standards, prices, limits production • Food, Clothing, and Shelter • Home Owners Loan Corporation gives loans to prevent foreclosures • Federal Housing Administration gives loans for mortgages, repairs • Federal Emergency Relief Administration—direct relief to needy
Opposition to the New Deal • • Deficit spending—spending more money than government takes in • - funds New Deal • • Liberals: New Deal does not do enough to help poor, fix economy • • Conservatives: New Deal used to control business, socialize economy • The Supreme Court Reacts • Supreme Court strikes down NIRA, AAA as unconstitutional • FDR proposes “Court-packing bill”; Congress, press protest • Starting in 1937, justices retire; FDR appoints seven new ones • Three Fiery Critics • Some conservative opponents form American Liberty League • Think measures violate respect for personal rights, property • Father Charles Coughlin withdraws initial support of New Deal • - wants guaranteed income, banks nationalized • Dr. Francis Townsend devises pension plan for elderly • Presidential hopeful, Senator Huey Long has popular social program
Furthering the New Deal • By 1935, economic recovery not as great as FDR had expected • FDR launches second phase: more relief for farmers, workers • First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a social reformer, prods president • Reelecting FDR • 1936, Democrats win presidency, large majorities in both houses • First time most African Americans vote Democratic • First time labor unions support presidential candidate • Focusing on Farms • 1936 Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act replaces AAA • - rewards farmers for practicing soil conservation • New Agricultural Adjustment Act avoids unconstitutional provision • Resettlement Administration gives loans to small farmers to buy land • Farm Security Administration—loans to tenant farmers to buy land • FSA hires photographers to shoot rural towns, farms, farmer
Programs for Urban Workers • • Works Progress Administration (WPA)—creates jobs • • WPA workers build airports, roads, public buildings • • Women workers sew clothes for the needy • • WPA employs professional writers, artists, performers • • National Youth Administration (NYA)—education, jobs, counseling • • Gives aid to students in exchange for part-time work • Improving Labor Conditions • •National Labor Relations Act, or Wagner Act, replaces NIRA: • - protects right to join unions, collective bargaining • - prohibits unfair labor practices • National Labor Relations Board hears testimony about labor practices • Holds elections to determine if workers want unions • Fair Labor Standards Act sets maximum hours, minimum wage • The Social Security Act • 1935, Social Security Act creates Social Security system; provides: • - insurance for retirees 65 or older • - unemployment compensation • - aid to disabled, families with children
Supporters and Critics of the New Deal • Conservatives think FDR made federal government too large • - stifled free enterprise, individual initiative • Liberals: didn’t do enough to socialize economy, end inequalities • Supporters: did help country recover from economic difficulties • Expanding Government’s Role in the Economy • • FDR expands power of federal government, president • • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regulates banking • • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates investment • • New Deal does not end Depression; does reduce suffering, give hope • • Federal government goes deeply into debt to create jobs, give aid • • Massive spending on equipment, supplies for WW II end Depression
Expanding and Regulating Utilities • Rural Electrification Administration brings electricity to farms • Public Utility Holding Company Act aims to stop financial corruption • Women Make their Mark • • Frances Perkins, secretary of labor, is first female cabinet member • • FDR also appoints 2 women as diplomats, 1 as federal judge • • Women still face discrimination in workplace from male workers • • NRA sets some lower minimum wages for women • • Federal work programs hire far fewer women than men • • Only slight increase in overall % of women working for wages
African Americans Take Leadership Roles • FDR appoints more than 100 African Americans to government • - Mrs. Roosevelt plays key role • Educator Mary McLeod Bethune heads Division of Negro Affairs of NYA • Helps organize “Black Cabinet” of African-American advisers • Daughters of American Revolution refuse Marian Anderson concert • Mrs. Roosevelt resigns; arranges for Lincoln Memorial concert • The President Fails to Support Civil Rights • FDR afraid of upsetting white Southern Democratic voters • Refuses to approve antilynching law, end to poll tax • New Deal agencies discriminate against African Americans • - pay them lower wages, favor whites • African Americans help organize Southern Tenant Farmers Union • Generally support Roosevelt administration, New Deal
Mexican Americans Under FDR • Mexican Americans generally support New Deal • Many come to U.S. in 1920s, settle mainly in Southwest • - work on farms • CCC, WPA help some Mexican Americans • Disqualify migrant workers with no permanent address • Native Americans and the New Deal • • 1924, Native Americans receive full citizenship • • John Collier, commissioner of Indian affairs, changes policies • • Indian Reorganization Act favors native autonomy, mandates changes: • - lands belong to entire tribe; government can’t sell unclaimed areas • - children can attend schools on reservations • - tribes elect tribal councils to govern reservations
The New Deal Coalition • •New Deal Coalition—different groups that support Democratic Party • Labor Unions Flourish • Prolabor legislation leads unions to donate money for FDR reelection • 1933–1941, union membership grows from 3 million to over 10 million • American Federation of Labor traditionally craft unions only • Committee for Industrial Organization organizes industrial unions • Expelled by AFL, becomes Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) • Labor Disputes • Sit-down strike important bargaining tactic of 1930s • - prevents owners from hiring strikebreakers • NLRB forces Republic Steel to negotiate after clash with strikers
FDR Wins in 1936 • Political organizations in large Northern cities support FDR • Urban, religious, ethnic groups also support FDR • - FDR appoints officials of urban-immigrant background • Movies are a Hit • About 65% of population goes to movies once a week • Films offer escape from reality; show wealth, romance, fun • • Gone With the Wind—perhaps most famous film of era • • Musicals—live action or animated—way to forget problems • Comedies, realistic gangster movies especially popular • Several films present New Deal policies in positive light • Radio Entertains • 90% of households have a radio; families listen together every day • Dramas, variety shows play in evening • • Orson Welles—actor, director, producer, writer • Soap operas for homemakers broadcast in middle of day • Children’s shows after school hours • Immediate news coverage becomes customary
Diverse Writers Depict American Life • • Federal Writers’ Project supports many who become major writers • • Richard Wright, African-American author, writes Native Son • • John Steinbeck writes The Grapes of Wrath about Dust Bowl migrants • • Some writers examine difficulty of life in 1930s • • Others show dignity of ordinary people, values of small-town life • New Deal Ends • By 1937, economic improvement convinces many Depression is ending • Congress wants to cut back programs; by 1939, New Deal over
Protecting Workers’ Rights • • New Deal laws set standards, ban child labor, permit unions • - establish policies followed today • • National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) still mediates labor disputes • Banking and Finance • SEC still monitors stock market, enforces laws on stock, bond sales • FDIC still protects individual investors in case of bank failure • Social Security • Federal government takes responsibility for citizens’ welfare • Provides for aged, disabled, needy • The Rural Scene • Commodity Credit Corporation makes loans to farmers • - based on amount of farmer’s surplus, parity price • • Parityprice—price intended to keep farmers’ income steady • Agricultural price supports set precedent of federal aid to farmers
The Environment • CCC plants trees, builds hiking trails, fire lookout towers • Soil Conservation Service teaches methods to preserve soil • Taylor Grazing Act reduces grazing on public lands • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) creates electricity, prevents floods • Government adds national parks, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas • Government-sponsored stripmining, coal burning cause pollution