Events After World War I and their Impact on Georgia

Events After World War I and their Impact on Georgia Day 1

Learning Targets • I can analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia. --I can describe the impact of the boll weevil and drought on Georgia. --I can explain economic factors that resulted in the Great Depression. --I can discuss the impact of the career of Eugene Talmadge. --I can discuss the effect of the New Deal in terms of the impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Agricultural Adjustment Act, rural electrification, and Social Security.

Roaring Twenties • When the peace treaty ending World War I was signed, people throughout the nation were ready to celebrate the end of rationing, the end of worry about loved ones overseas, the end of sadness associated with a deadly worldwide flu epidemic, and the end of hard times associated with the war.

For first time the census reflected an urban society - people had moved into cities to enjoy a higher standard of living

Age of Prosperity • Economic expansion • Mass Production • Assembly Line • Age of the Automobile • Ailing Agriculture…

President Warren Harding • In his presidential campaign, Harding had promised to return the country to normalcy, and that is exactly what he tried to do.

Women • On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote. • Suddenly, women felt a new sense of equality and a new freedom of expression. • Many wanted to continue working after the war ended.

Idea of Femininity • Changed Dramatically • Knee-Length, Free-Moving • Dresses •  Exposed Legs & Arms • Short, Bobbed, Boyish • Hair Style • Lipstick & Rouge •  Drinking, Smoking, Dancing All Night without Chaperone • Tight Corsets •  Long Petticoats •  Long Hair •  Natural Look • Demure & Modest • Well-Behaved Matron

Flappers

First Female Legislators US SENATE Georgia House of Representatives Rebecca Latimer Felton *appointed to fill U.S. Senator Tom Watson’s position when he died in office. *An acknowledgment of her outstanding reform work and efforts supporting the suffrage movement. *Never really served in the position *A special election was held, and Walter F. George was elected. *But Felton was sworn in for a day...making her the first woman to serve in the US Senate *Served shortest term & oldest senator (87 years old) Viola Ross Napier from Bibb County & Bessie Kempton Crowell from Fulton County (no picture available)

Music • JAZZ – played in Speakeasies (jazz clubs where liquor was sold) Most famous Cotton Club in Harlem Duke Ellington & Louis Armstrong • BLUES– based on black folk music. Ma Rainey (Georgian known as “Mother of Blues”)

Crime • There was a dark side to the Roaring Twenties. • Prohibition gave rise to organized gangs in large cities (Chicago and New York) • Gangsters made millions by supplying illegal liquor to speakeasies and other private clubs. • Scarface Al Capone, Bugs Moran, Baby Face Nelson, Frank Nitty.

Life in the Roaring Twenties • After the war years, life was good and more convenient. --Many things came right to the front door...milk, butter, cream, ice, fresh vegetables. --Electricity became widely available. --Electric appliances became more common (toasters, ranges, etc...) --Convenience Foods – quick-cooked rolled oats, pancake mix, canned goods, pre-sliced bread. Freezing and Packaging Foods – Clarence Birdseye

Consumer Economy

Radio • In November 1920, radio station KDKA started broadcasting in Pittsburg, and it changed America forever. • Families would gather around the radio to listen to baseball games, news reports, and favorite programs. • In 1922, WSB (reportedly stood for Welcome South Brother) went on air in Atlanta.

Movies • First Talking Motion Picture = The Jazz Singer with Al Jolson • First Talking Cartoon = Steamboat Willie with Mickey Mouse

Boll Weevil • For many Georgians, the twenties were not a time of abundance. • Boll Weevil = small, grayish, long-snouted beetle was destroying the primary source of income for many Georgia farmers –COTTON. • Came from Mexico, moved through Texas, and appeared in Georgia in 1915.

Drought • In 1924, Georgia farmers were hit with another natural disaster – a major drought. • Drought and overuse of land from cotton production ruined most of Georgia’s crops. • Number of working farms fell from 310,132 t0 249,095. • When farms failed, banks that had loaned the farmers money took huge losses. • Many farm-related businesses closed. • Georgia was in a deep depression.

The Ku Klux Klan Great increase In power Anti-black Anti-immigrant Anti-Semitic Anti-Catholic Anti-women’s suffrage Anti-bootleggers

Great Migration • Many black farmers and poor whites moved to northern industrial cities such as Chicago and Detroit hoping to find work in factories and assembly plants. • Lasted until the 1960s. • Many northern companies actively recruited African Americans to jobs.

Lindbergh • Charles Lindbergh flew the Spirit of St. Louis on the 3,600 mile transatlantic journey • Flew without the help of navigational or weather instruments • Used only landmarks to guide him. • Took him 33 ½ hours.

Events After World War I and their Impact on Georgia