Ch 32 The Roaring 20s The Roaring Twenties

Ch 32 The Roaring 20’s

The Roaring Twenties This was a decade characterized by: - Conspicuous Consumption - Isolationism - Anti-Radicalism

Communism The Russian Republic was overthrown in 1917 Americans see any pro-communist person as a threat to the government Legislatures across the country pass strict laws against Communist Sympathies.

The KKK The klan is revived as a reaction to the influence of radicals (socialists, communists) and new immigrants ( Italians, Poles). Using Violence and Politics to achieve their goals. The Klan reached a peak of 5 million members in 1920.

Restricting Immigration US is worried about all the new immigrants coming from 1919 -1920 Emergency Quota Act of 1921: 3% of the people of their nationality living in USA could Immigrate Immigration Act of 1924: Reduced limit 2%

Prohibition The 20’s saw all alcohol banned. This doesn’t stop people from going to secret bars called “speakeasies” Leads to bootlegging and organized crime

The Mafia Al Capone: Famous Gangster, St Valentine’s Day Massacre(1929), goes to jail for Tax Evasion The Mafia is involved with any illegal activity By 1930, the Mafia’s income was 18 billion dollars.

Scopes Trial Fundamentalists- Those that believe that the Bible is literal word of God. Modernists- Those that are embracing science over biblical knowledge. In the 1920’s, Evolution is not taught in schools. John T. Scopes is charged with teaching evolution and is found guilty. Given a $100 fine that is later waived

Mass Consumption American’s are consuming entertainment more than ever before. Companies are now offering the option to buy things on credit. Baseball becomes the most popular sport in America.

Cars The combustion engine is invented in the late 1800’s Cars, in the early 1900’s, are a novelty for the rich. Henry Ford makes the car affordable by using the assembly line. He makes the 40 hour work week a standard for his business.

Planes 1903 - Kitty Hawk, NC, The Wright Brothers Planes were used during WWI 1927 - Charles Lindbergh flies from USA to France Leads to commercial air flights in 1930’s and on

Jazz 1920’s sees the rise of Jazz, in America, as a new genre of music. Creates a new type of culture: Flappers, Jazz Musicians become famous, effects writing and other art forms.

Harlem Renaissance Harlem is one of the largest African-American communities in the world during the 1920’s. This neighborhood fosters a rise in creative talents, in the African- American community, in all art forms Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, James Weldon Johnson, Marcus Garvey, Louis Armstrong

Culture Movies: Start off a silent pictures in the 1910’s. The first “talkie” is the Jazz Singer, 1927 Literature: The Lost Generation: Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound Radio: Marconi invents the radio in the 1890’s. 1920 - first radio broadcast for the average person.

The Stock Market was a profitable way to make money in the 1920’s. The stocks could be purchased on “margin”. Made it easy to procure stocks cheaply. This will lead to the Stock Market crash.