The Roaring Twenties Miss Bivans AP US History

Religious Fundamentalism Many of the religious faithful saw a major spiritual crisis in the sweeping changes of the 1920s Many of the religious faithful saw a major spiritual crisis in the sweeping changes of the 1920s Fundamentalism survived the era of sophistication, modernization, and change Fundamentalism survived the era of sophistication, modernization, and change Radio spread the message of the fundamentalist preachers and attracted numerous converts to those ministers who could readily adapt to the new communications technology Radio spread the message of the fundamentalist preachers and attracted numerous converts to those ministers who could readily adapt to the new communications technology

The Red Scare As a result of the Russian Revolution, Americans imagined Communists as the worst possible threat to their way of life As a result of the Russian Revolution, Americans imagined Communists as the worst possible threat to their way of life The ideals of Socialism and Communism were tied, often erroneously, to the American labor movement The ideals of Socialism and Communism were tied, often erroneously, to the American labor movement Strikes increased and the government responded with a series of raids by a young J. Edgar Hoover to round up suspected subversives and radicals Strikes increased and the government responded with a series of raids by a young J. Edgar Hoover to round up suspected subversives and radicals

Fear of Change Fear of Change –Political Turmoil –1917 Bolshevik Revolution March 1919 Communist International March 1919 Communist International –Red Scare –1919 strikes – 4 million workers or 1/5 of all workers in 600 strikes –1919 bomb scares –Attorney General A. Mitchell and the Palmer Raids –January 2, 1920 mass arrests –Blacklisting Sacco and Vanzetti case Sacco and Vanzetti case –1920 robbery and trial –Guilty of being anarchists –1927 MA Advisory Committee –1927 worldwide protests against the executions

The Ku Klux Klan Organized in Georgia by William J. Simmons Organized in Georgia by William J. Simmons Original Klan accepted almost anyone, 1919’s Klan was thoroughly anti-foreign, anti-Semitic, and anti-Catholic Original Klan accepted almost anyone, 1919’s Klan was thoroughly anti-foreign, anti-Semitic, and anti-Catholic Opposed evolution, endorsed religion, immigration restrictions, short skirts and “demon rum” Opposed evolution, endorsed religion, immigration restrictions, short skirts and “demon rum” Especially motivated to keep black Americans “in their place” Especially motivated to keep black Americans “in their place”

Resistance to Modernity and KKK the Appeal of the Ku Klux Klan Resistance to Modernity and KKK the Appeal of the Ku Klux Klan –Nostalgia for a time before major political, social, economic and cultural change Attacks on “outsiders” - anti-black, anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic Attacks on “outsiders” - anti-black, anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic 4 million members throughout the 1920s 4 million members throughout the 1920s –Political control in 7 states Strongest in Indiana, TX, Ohio Strongest in Indiana, TX, Ohio ,000 march through Washington D.C ,000 march through Washington D.C.

The Rising Standard of Living Americans of the post-war years had more leisure time and a shorter work week Americans of the post-war years had more leisure time and a shorter work week Educational opportunities expanded for the “right” demographic Educational opportunities expanded for the “right” demographic Corporate mergers began to increase again, with an emphasis on professional management and employee care Corporate mergers began to increase again, with an emphasis on professional management and employee care

The Roaring 1920s— Swingin’!!!!! Business Booms Business Booms First shopping mall built First shopping mall built First fast food chain, A&W Root Beer First fast food chain, A&W Root Beer Appliances all the rage— radios, washing machines, telephones, cars Appliances all the rage— radios, washing machines, telephones, cars Companies spend $1.5 billion on advertising in 1927 Companies spend $1.5 billion on advertising in 1927 Ford built his automobile empire Ford built his automobile empire People began to buy things on credit People began to buy things on credit

Activity 2: Think-Pair-Share Contrast the women in these two drawings. Take two minutes to write down as many differences as you can. When I tell you, share what you have written with the person next to you. Victorian Woman Jazz Age Woman Victorian Woman Jazz Age Woman

The Economy of the Late 1920s “Everybody ought to be rich” “Everybody ought to be rich” 200 large companies controlled 49% of all American industry 200 large companies controlled 49% of all American industry Too many goods, not enough demand Too many goods, not enough demand Farm prices fell after WWI Farm prices fell after WWI Farmers not able to repay their debts Farmers not able to repay their debts

The Automobile Culture The manufacture of the automobile underwent enormous growth in the postwar years, stimulating the rubber, steel, and petroleum industries The manufacture of the automobile underwent enormous growth in the postwar years, stimulating the rubber, steel, and petroleum industries The growing affordability of the auto forced governments to pave more streets with federal assistance The growing affordability of the auto forced governments to pave more streets with federal assistance The auto contributed to the creation of city suburbs and rampant pollution The auto contributed to the creation of city suburbs and rampant pollution

Laissez-faire leads to the rise of monopolies during the 20’s, however the creation of thousands of jobs keeps the government from interfering. Economic implications: With so many new products on the shelves, Americans flock to stores to purchase items. Installment buying becomes a trend, causing many credit card holders to fall into debt. Also, the rising economy moves too fast for many households. “Wages increase, but not at the same rate as the cost of living.”

A Communications Revolution During the 1920s, the number of homes with telephones increased from 9 to 13 million During the 1920s, the number of homes with telephones increased from 9 to 13 million Radio and motion pictures began to solidify a shared identity of Americans through entertainment, news, and sports Radio and motion pictures began to solidify a shared identity of Americans through entertainment, news, and sports

Hollywood Icons Hollywood Icons –Images of Wild Freedom in Dress, Behavior, and Sexual Attitudes –Songs “Hot Lips” and “I Need Lovin’” Movies “Up in Mabel’s Room” and “Her Purchase Price” Movies “Up in Mabel’s Room” and “Her Purchase Price” –Theda Bara, the Vamp –Theodosia Goodman –Anagram for Arab Death Cold seduction Cold seduction Clara Bow, the “It Girl” Clara Bow, the “It Girl” Rudolph Valentino, the Sheik Rudolph Valentino, the Sheik

Traditionalists Fight Back Traditionalists Fight Back –Fundamentalism Billy Sunday v Mencken Billy Sunday v Mencken –1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, TN John T. Scopes’ lessons on evolution in biology class v TN legislature John T. Scopes’ lessons on evolution in biology class v TN legislature –Fundamentalist Religion v Modern Science –Fundamentalist William Jennings Bryan v agnostic Clarence Darrow –Darrow’s cross-examination of Bryan Scopes found guilt and fined $100 Scopes found guilt and fined $100 –Overturned on a technicality –Humiliated Bryan dies a few days after the trial

Rural America in the 1920s American farmers, as a rule, did not share in the prosperity of the 1920s. American farmers, as a rule, did not share in the prosperity of the 1920s. A vicious cycle of overproduction to meet demands continually lowered market prices of produce, forcing many farmers into the poorhouse A vicious cycle of overproduction to meet demands continually lowered market prices of produce, forcing many farmers into the poorhouse Advancements in agriculture (pesticides and advanced fertilizers) increased yield per acre and put many farmers out of business Advancements in agriculture (pesticides and advanced fertilizers) increased yield per acre and put many farmers out of business

Global Expansion The 1920s was a decade of dramatic expansion in business, finance, and trade for the United States The 1920s was a decade of dramatic expansion in business, finance, and trade for the United States Territorial expansion was also endorsed by the American government; continued involvement in the affairs of Central and South America inconsistently promoted peace, stability, and trade in the hemisphere Territorial expansion was also endorsed by the American government; continued involvement in the affairs of Central and South America inconsistently promoted peace, stability, and trade in the hemisphere

Progressivism Survives The Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act of 1921 allotted 1 million dollars a year to educate expectant mothers on proper self-health issues and child care The Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act of 1921 allotted 1 million dollars a year to educate expectant mothers on proper self-health issues and child care In 1919, Congress passed the Volstead Act which banned the brewing and selling of most alcoholic beverages; this became the Eighteenth Amendment of Prohibition In 1919, Congress passed the Volstead Act which banned the brewing and selling of most alcoholic beverages; this became the Eighteenth Amendment of Prohibition

Warning Signs Before the Crash Warning Signs Before the Crash –Unequal Distribution of Wealth and Income Buying on Credit Buying on Credit –By % of all household goods bought on credit –Farm Debt Sales of Goods and Construction of Factories Fell Rapidly while Stocks Continued to Climb Sales of Goods and Construction of Factories Fell Rapidly while Stocks Continued to Climb –Stockmarket Speculation –John Jacob Raskob’s 1929 “Everybody Ought to be Rich” Lack of regulation Lack of regulation –“buying on margin” “Bull Market” “Bull Market” Rising stock dividends, savings, credit Rising stock dividends, savings, credit 4 million Americans in the stockmarket 4 million Americans in the stockmarket Realization Stock Prices Out of Proportion to Actual Profits Realization Stock Prices Out of Proportion to Actual Profits

Stock Market Crash The prosperity of the decade came to a screeching halt in 1929 with the collapse of the nation’s stock market The prosperity of the decade came to a screeching halt in 1929 with the collapse of the nation’s stock market Many investors had responded to the booming economy by buying stocks on margin (borrowing to invest). Many investors had responded to the booming economy by buying stocks on margin (borrowing to invest). An overextension of the market caused a crash with a represented loss of over $26 million on paper An overextension of the market caused a crash with a represented loss of over $26 million on paper

The Stock Market Crash Stocks hit all-time highs in September of 1929 Stocks hit all-time highs in September of 1929 In October, stocks began to fall In October, stocks began to fall Ex. General Electric stocks bought for $400 sold for $283 Ex. General Electric stocks bought for $400 sold for $283 Black Tuesday—16.4 million shares sold, compared to average of 4 million Black Tuesday—16.4 million shares sold, compared to average of 4 million This collapse of the stock market is known as the Great Crash This collapse of the stock market is known as the Great Crash

Why did the market crash? Many people bought stocks on margin—like a loan Many people bought stocks on margin—like a loan Companies lied about their profits—remember Enron? Companies lied about their profits—remember Enron? Economies like ours go through natural “boom” and “bust” cycles Economies like ours go through natural “boom” and “bust” cycles Republican Presidents believed in laissez faire— no control on businesses Republican Presidents believed in laissez faire— no control on businesses Stock market was not regulated by government Stock market was not regulated by government

The Stock Market Crash From Riches to Ruin Many wealthy families lost everything Many wealthy families lost everything Some even committed suicide Some even committed suicide Millions of people who never owned a single stock lost their jobs, farms and homes Millions of people who never owned a single stock lost their jobs, farms and homes The crash triggered a much wider, long term crisis known as the Great Depression The crash triggered a much wider, long term crisis known as the Great Depression The Depression lasted from 1929 to 1941 when America entered WWII The Depression lasted from 1929 to 1941 when America entered WWII The Depression had a ripple effect that hurt the economies of other countries The Depression had a ripple effect that hurt the economies of other countries

Question 3: How many people were unemployed in 1925? In 1929? In 1932?

Question 4: How much did a bushel of wheat cost in 1925?1932?

Great Crash Question 5: What was the average stock value in 1929? 1932?

Question 6:How many banks were suspended in 1925? In 1933?