1920 s Analyzing Consumerism through Advertisements U S

1920 s- Analyzing Consumerism through Advertisements U. S. History Created by Mrs. Janiak 2010

Objectives 1. To introduce students to the importance of consumerism in the 1920 s, when there was a shift from "inner-directed" to "outerdirected" ways of self-improvement. 2. To have students recognize the connections between commodities and culture in the American past and present. 3. To improve students' abilities to analyze and interpret historical documents and images.

1920 s- a shift from "inner-directed" to "outer-directed" ways of selfimprovement. • Warren Susman and Roland Marchand, among other historians, have argued that a significant shift in the methods of selfimprovement occurred in the 1920 s, and both historians use advertisements to illustrate this shift. • The shift was from an inner-directed focus on character -- "I will improve my lot in life by working harder, being more disciplined, and always doing the right thing" • -- to an outer-directed focus on personality -- "I will improve my lot in life by being funny, wearing the right clothes, and being able to talk about the right things. "

Looking at the advertisements: • With a partner, write an analysis explaining the differences in advertising approaches– comparing and contrasting the use of images – length of text – the types of appeals (factual? emotional? sexual? ) – examine the early ads for these items to see how they were sold, literally and figuratively, to the American public

Practice analysis 1

Practice Ad

1