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The Roaring 20’s. Changing American Culture. Return to Normalcy. Phrase coined by Warren Harding in the election of 1920. Referred to a longing in America for the “good old days” from before WWI. With unemployment on the rise and Red Scare, Americans were longing for better times.
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The Roaring 20’s ChangingAmerican Culture
Return to Normalcy • Phrase coined by Warren Harding in the election of 1920. • Referred to a longing in America for the “good old days” from before WWI. • With unemployment on the rise and Red Scare, Americans were longing for better times. • Harding was a popular Senator from Ohio • He had a captivating voice for public speaking and Americans were immediately drawn to him. • With bold promises of prosperity he easily won.
Creating the Roaring 20’s • Harding worked to pass legislation that would benefit American businesses. • 1. He passed high protective tariffs – drove up the prices of foreign goods and encouraged people to buy American. • 2. Established a federal budget to manage govt. spending. • 3. Cut excess profit taxes from the war to help business owners spend on economic needs. • 4. Avoided international affairs that would cost money.
Immigration • High economic activity led to an increase in immigration in the 1920’s. • Many people from war-torn Western European countries sought a better life in America. • Most of these immigrants settled in large cities New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, etc… because work was easily available.
New Forms of Discrimination • Between the Red Scare, Anti-German hysteria from the war, competition for jobs, and the KKK, discrimination against European immigrants became a problem. • Many tried to change their name so people wouldn’t know where they were from. • The Sacco and Vanzetti Trial: Italian immigrants with questionable political views. • Controversy over their trial and the way in which it occurred led many Americans to believe they were innocent. • Both men were executed by electrocution anyway.
Consumer Culture in America • Until the 1920’s most Americans would never take out a loan unless it was to buy a house. • This was because people would never allow themselves to go into debt unless it was something they absolutely needed. • As employment rose they had more income to spend on goods for luxury rather than need.
Consumer Culture Cont. • There were a multitude of inventions during the 1920’s that made life easier. • Sewing machines, vacuum cleaners, nice furniture, washing machines, refrigerators, etc… • The Radio was developed to improve communication during WWI and sold to Americans for entertainment after the war.
Advertising • The advertising industry developed during this time because Americans were buying so many more products. • Advertisements preyed on peoples’ need to fit in and have luxury items. • They even made up new terms and stressed the importance of personal hygiene for the first time. • Halitosis: term invented by the Crest Company, it’s the condition of having bad breath.
Prohibition • Prohibition: many Conservative Protestants felt that alcohol use was at the root of many social evils. (The average American drank three times the average today) • Conservatives were able to pass the 18th Amendment which made the sale of liquor illegal. • Initially the prohibition act worked and alcohol consumption and crime lessened. • Unfortunately, it also caused more problems than it solved. • Younger Americans with a more carefree attitude began to resent the new laws. • Enforcing the law became nearly impossible as time passed and people found creative ways around it.
Problems with Prohibition • Organized Crime: Violation of the Prohibition Act became a major industry nationwide. • Men like Al Capone became famous household names for their outright defiance of an unpopular law. • Speakeasies: secret bars, casinos, and social centers where people could engage in activities deemed inappropriate by Conservative Progressives.
Impact of Jazz • Jazz: popular new music style of the 20’s that had a faster beat which challenged traditional conservative tastes. • Jazz music had such a large impact on American culture that the 20’s are often referred to as the “Jazz Age”. • The Flapper: modern American woman of the 20’s, she pushed traditional gender roles • Term Flapper refers to popular jazz dance of the times. • Easily spotted by their clothing and hairstyles
Science vs. Religion • “Scopes Monkey Trial”: John Scopes, Biology teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, was charged and prosecuted for teaching evolution in his classroom. • Scopes was influenced by the ACLU to break the law so they could challenge it in court. • The Scopes Trial made national headlines when 3-Time Presidential Candidate William Jennings Bryan prosecuted him, and famous trial attorney Clarence Darrow defended him. • Darrow publicly challenged traditional religious views. • The Trial became a symbol or old conservative views versus new ideas.
