LIFE & CULTURE IN AMERICA IN THE 1920S THE ROARING TWENTIES

CHANGING WAYS OF LIFE  During the 1920s, urbanization continued to accelerate  For the first time, more Americans lived in cities than in rural areas  New York City was home to over 5 million people in 1920  Chicago had nearly 3 million

URBAN VS. RURAL  Throughout the 1920s, Americans found themselves caught between urban and rural cultures  Urban life was considered a world of anonymous crowds, strangers, moneymakers, and pleasure seekers  Rural life was considered to be safe, with close personal ties, hard work and morals Cities were impersonal Farms were innocent

The Economy after WWI Installment buying: the buyer makes payments, or installments, every month until the full price of the product has been paid. People were buying consumer goods like washing machines, vacuum cleaners, & automobiles. Economic Boom: A time of quick economic growth. Economic Bust: A time of quick economic decline. The U.S. Stock market boomed in the 1920’s. Life was good for American’s during The Roaring 20’s and it was a time of economic boom.

SPEAKEASIES AND BOOTLEGGERS  Many Americans did not believe drinking was a sin  Most immigrant groups were not willing to give up drinking  To obtain liquor illegally, drinkers went underground to hidden saloons known as speakeasies  People also bought liquor from bootleggers who smuggled it in from Canada, Cuba and the West Indies

ORGANIZED CRIME  Prohibition contributed to the growth of organized crime in every major city  Chicago became notorious as the home of Al Capone – a famous bootlegger  Capone took control of the Chicago liquor business by killing off his competition Al Capone was finally convicted on tax evasion charges in 1931

THE TWENTIES WOMAN  After the tumult of World War I, Americans were looking for a little fun in the 1920s  Women were becoming more independent and achieving greater freedoms (right to vote, more employment, freedom of the auto) Chicago 1926

THE FLAPPER  During the 1920s, a new ideal emerged for some women: the Flapper  A Flapper was an emancipated young woman who embraced the new fashions and urban attitudes

$ Automobile Prices $ 1907 average price of a car was $2, Ford automobiles $ Ford $ Model T $350 Car prices fell because factories became more efficient with the assembly line. More roads were paved and new highways were built. Gas stations, tourist camps, and restaurants sprang up everywhere. By 1929, 4 million Americans owed their jobs to the auto industry.

Impact of the car on: Industry 1.Oil 2.Rubber 3.Steel *These industries increased in order to meet the demand for the products. *To most, the car provided freedom, adventure, opportunity and status.

The Impact of the car on: Society 1. Cities got bigger/suburbs 2. Greater distance between homes. 3. Business and education transformation. 4. People no longer want to ride the train due to the automobile and new roads being constructed. 5. Tourism became a major industry.

Political Changes during the 1920s President Warren Harding ( ) “A Return to Normalcy” – Harding’s campaign motto when he won the 1920 election: promises to get America back to normal after the war and to run a government less involved in business and foreign affairs (wants to end the postwar recession)

Political Changes during the 1920s President Calvin Coolidge "Stay Cool with Coolidge" Took over after Harding's death Committed to business Laissez Faire approach to the economy "Coolidge Prosperity" -- the economy improves under Coolidge

The Red Scare During the 1920s, Americans were divided between modern and traditional beliefs and values. This differing in opinions as well as the Red Scare and rise of the KKK resulted in the threatening of some Americans civil liberties. Racism and Nativism increased during the 1920s. What is Nativism? Believing that the way of life in your country is superior to other countries and people. Distrusting and disliking foreigners, led to a desire to limit immigration in the U.S. What was the Red Scare? A fear that communists would take over America (as they had in Russia), people thought to be communists were arrested. Communists want private property abolished, want collective ownership of property.

Fascism Fascism Fascism is the totalitarian philosophy of government that glorifies the state and nation and assigns to the state control over every aspect of national life. A form of extreme right-wing ideology. It celebrates the nation or the race as an organic community transcending all other loyalties. Powerful and uses nationalism pride to get support –Constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, etc. –Flags are seen everywhere.

Socialism Increased government involvement in people’s lives and the economy The main goal is to keep prices low for all people and to provide employment for many The government runs key industries and makes economic decisions More social services for all and free or low cost medical care Government more involved in social inequities (lack of fairness or justice)