The Roaring Life of the 1920 s Chapter

The Roaring Life of the 1920 s Chapter 21 Mr. King CCHS

New Urban Scene n n n 1920's collectively known as the "Roaring 20's", or the "Jazz Age" A period of great change in American Society - modern America is born at this time For first time the census reflected an urban society - 65 cities with over 100, 000 people - city life fast paced, drinking, gambling, casual dating

Prohibition n Liquor led to crime, family abuse and accidents on the job 18 th Amendment made it illegal to manufacture, sale and transport alcohol Volstead Act established the Prohibition Bureau, but it was underfunded and undermanned

Prohibition (Continued) n Speakeasies were places where people could illegally buy liquor – They were in cellars and hardware stores n Bootleggers were individuals who smuggled alcohol into the U. S - hide liquor in boots

Background on Speakeasies n n Speakeasies – Bartenders would tell patrons to “speak easy” when ordering alcohol – Enabled people of color to drink w/out discrimination Blind Pig - lower class establishment than speakeasies The Mayflower Club was considered the swankiest speakeasy in Washington, DC. It offered liquor and gambling.

Prohibition (Continued) n n Al Capone was the most famous organized crime boss in Chicago He killed off most of his competition By Mid 20 s only 19% support Prohibition 1933: 21 st Amendment repealed Prohibition Al Capone

American Fundamentalism n n n Fundamentalism believed in the literal interpretation of the bible. They were skeptical of science and rejected theory of evolution Use religious revivals or radio to spread word of God

Scopes “Monkey” Evolution vs. Creationism Famous Lawyers Trial Science vs. Religion Dayton, Tennessee John Scopes High School Biology teacher

The Scopes Trial n n n 1925: TN made it a crime to teach evolution John Scopes defied the law and the ACLU hired Clarence Darrow to defend him Prosecutor: William Jennings Bryan

The Scopes Trial (July 10, 1925) n n Darrow called Bryan to the stand Bryan: “Not 6 days of 24 hours” Scopes found Guilty TN Supreme Court overturned ruling Darrow and Bryan

Women n FLAPPERS - Bobbed hair, short dresses - Smoked, drank, talked about sex - Marriage an equal partnership

Women n Not all subscribed to Flapper Casual Dating rose Men could have greater sexual freedom, while women had to observe stricter standards. This is known as the double standard

Celebrities Babe Ruth &Ty Cobb Charles Lindbergh The Spirit of St. Louis Jack Dempsey

Changing Family n n Births decreased Free time for women - worked outside of home - went to college - joined professions More children in schools Teens spent less time with family

Education and News n n School enrollment increased Newspaper circulation rose Radio Mass circulation KDKA Pittsburgh magazines summarized the GE, Westinghouse, & RCA form NBC weeks news Americans tuned into radio which became the most powerful means of mass communication

Movies, Writers, and Artists n n A national pastime In 1927 The Jazz Singer was the first “Talkie” Steamboat Willie was the first Silent Movies talking animated Charlie Chaplin movie with sound “Talkies” Talkies doubled The Jazz Singer attendance Starring Al Jolson Mary Pickford “America’s Sweetheart”

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis n n Fitzgerald coined the term “Jazz Age” - The Great Gatsby showed negative side of the period Sinclair Lewis: first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature

The Lost Generation The Lost Generation were a group of writers who moved to France because they were disgusted with U. S. culture. Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway were some of this club’s members Hemingway’s novels The Sun Also Rise and A Farewell to Arms he criticized glorification of war

Playwrights and Musicians n Plays broke away from European traditions – Eugene O’Neil n George Gershwin – Merged US Jazz with traditional elements

The Harlem Renaissance n A period of African-American artistic activity

Louis Armstrong n One of the most influential musicians in the history of Jazz

Bessie Smith Female blues singer n 1927, highest paid black artist in the world. n

James Weldon Johnson Poet n Lawyer n Executive Secretary of the NAACP n

Langston Hughes Poet n Describes the difficult lives of working-class African Americans n

Marcus Garvey n n n n Established the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Believed in Black pride Advocated racial segregation b/c of Black superiority Garvey believed Blacks should return to Africa Purchased a ship to start the Black Star line Attracted many investments: government charged him with w/fraud Found guilty and eventually deported to Jamaica, but his organization continued to exist