The Roaring Twenties Flappers l Freespirited women who

The Roaring Twenties

Flappers l Free-spirited women who felt liberated (freed) partly because of their work during World War I l Why l Heavy else might women felt liberated during the 1920 s? makeup l Short bobbed hair l Shorter skirts

Flappers

Radio l March 1922: the Atlanta Journal started WSB, the first radio station in the South

Jazz Music l Energetic music that reflected the restlessness of the 1920 s l Origin = music made on Southern plantations l Introduced to a wider audience through radio and movies

Irving Berlin l 1920 s songwriter l Composed over 3, 000 songs l “White Christmas” “God Bless America” l Wrote for films and Broadway shows

Louis Armstrong Jazz trumpeter and singer l Foundational influence on jazz music l Described as “perhaps the most important American musician of the 20 th century l

Tin Pan Alley l. A collection of New York City publishers and songwriters who dominated the 1920 s l Included Irving Berlin l “Tin Pan Alley” = a specific location (28 th Street between Broadway and Fifth) where this group of songwriters got their start

Hollywood l Douglas Fairbanks Founding member of United Artists l Movie star in silent films like Robin Hood l l Charlie Chaplin Academy Award winning actor in silent films l Co-founder of United Artists l l Gloria Swanson l Actress and fashion icon of 1920 s

The Jazz Singer l The first feature-length motion picture with sound l Marked the beginning of “talkies” and the decline of silent films

Sports l School sports introduced l Many sports open to the middle class for the first time (i. e. Golf) l Nearly every sport increases in popularity l Notable Moments: l Water Skiing is invented (1922) l Babe Ruth breaks Home Run Record (1927) l Record l Gertrude 61 home runs stayed on the books until 1961 Ederle Swims the English Channel (1926) l Start of the Negro National League (baseball - 1920)

Harlem Renaissance l. A celebration of African American music, poetry, prose, theater and art l Harlem (NYC) = center of African American culture

Langston Hughes l American poet, novelist, playwright, short story writer and columnist l Racial pride was a characteristic of Hughes, but also of the Harlem Renaissance as a movement

“I, Too” 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. - Langston Hughes, 1925

“I, Too” l What is this poem about? l Do you think this poem conveys a positive message or a negative one? l How does Hughes view perceive the “place” of African Americans in society during the 1920 s?

Practice Question 1. Which BEST defines the Harlem Renaissance? a. a time of great racial tension exemplified by race riots in New York b. a time of high interest in southern African American culture c. a concentrated time of African American achievement in literature and music d. the renovation of turn of the century buildings in Harlem

Practice Question 2. Which phrase describes the 1920 s? a. spirited and uncertain b. prosperous and secure c. stable and traditional d. trusting and patriotic

Practice Question 3. Why were the 1920 s called the Roaring Twenties? a. Americans wanted to intervene in European politics b. Many immigrants entered the United States eager to find jobs c. Congress passed many pro-immigration bills d. There was much lifestyle change