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Social and Political Issues

My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends- It gives a lovely light. Edna St. Vincent Millay. Social and Political Issues. Entertainment: the 1920’s marked the rise of a trend toward a national identity with popular entertainment

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Social and Political Issues

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  1. My candle burns at both ends;It will not last the night;But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-It gives a lovely light.Edna St. Vincent Millay

  2. Social and Political Issues • Entertainment: • the 1920’s marked the rise of a trend toward a national identity with popular entertainment • the development of a more urban society, • More leisure time thanks to new innovations • Movies, organized sporting events (baseball!), and music were popular

  3. Scopes Trial – known as the “monkey trial” • Science (Evolution) vs. Religion(Fundamentalism) • John Scopes teaching of the Darwin’s Theory of Evolution in Tennessee in stead of teaching only Bible’s Creationism. • the modern media made this case a national event • (Lawyers: Clarence Darrow, for the defendant; William Jennings Bryan for prosecution)

  4. Prohibition • A battle over moral values, the 18th Amendment banned the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages • the law became unenforceable – organized crime, smuggling and bootlegging grew • (Olean’s “Little Chicago” reputation!) • the 21st Amendment repealed the failed “noble experiment”( the 18th Amendment- Prohibition)

  5. Red Scare • a reaction to the Communist victory in the Russian Revolution of 1917 • labor strikes, urban riots, and unsolved bombings led to a national hysteria against foreign born persons…suspected of being communists, anarchists, etc.!!! Palmer raids– US Attorney General arrested & deported immigrants suspected of Communist ties…No trials, hearings!

  6. The “Soviet Ark” used to transport suspected Communists out of US

  7. Sacco and Vanzetti • tied to the Red Scare • convicted of a murder and bank robbery • many believe they were unfairly convicted because of their personal beliefs and Italian heritage • the evidence against them was weak • they were executed • “pardoned” in 1977!

  8. Era of segregation Jim Crow rules the South Increased fears for jobs due to “Great Migration” (see pg. 8) 1919“Red Summer” – riots in many major cities Rosewood, Florida destroyed by angry whites after false accusation of a black man attacking a white women Resurgence of Ku Klux Klan originally against African-Americans, became anti-Catholic, Jew and Immigrants supported only white, Protestant, and American-born KKK and Racial Unrest

  9. 1920’s Changing moral values • Urban vs. Rural • Religion vs. Science • New wealth • “conspicuous consumption”…spend!!! • Materialism – “keep up with the Jones” • New morality • “Lost Generation” searches for meaning in life • “Anything goes!” approach to life • Yet intolerance toward immigrants and African-Americans?!

  10. Literature • New cultural values became expressed in the popular literature of the age • F. Scott Fitzgerald – “The Great Gatsby” (Lost Generation searching for meaning) • Authors protested the growth of business, the conformity of the times, American’s preoccupation with material possessions, and the devastation of war. • Ernest Hemingway “A Farwell To Arms”

  11. The Great Migration • During and after WW I, African Americans moved from the south to the northeast and midwest in search of industrial jobs – which paid more than sharecropping • Resulted in increased racial tensions and anti-immigrant (nativist) feelings due to fears of job loss and wage decreases.

  12. Harlem Renaissance • A growth in popularity of African American writers, musicians, and artists • centered in the Harlem district of New York City • W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, were just some of the influential writers

  13. Jazz music • A blend of African, European, and American sounds • began in New Orleans – then up to Chicago – the over to New York • born in the African-American experience, it soon became popular with white audiences • the 1920’s became know as the “Jazz Age”

  14. I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes 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.

  15. “Roaring” 20’s? Intolerant 20’s? BOTH!!!

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