The Harlem Renaissance and Modernism America’s Changing Awareness…

Historical Context, America experienced HUGE, RAPID societal changes that profoundly affected writers of this time period Changes due to catastrophic historical events Changes due to catastrophic historical events World War I World War I Great Depression Great Depression

A World at War:

World War I – AKA “The Great War” Most influential societal factor for American writers at the time Most influential societal factor for American writers at the time Involved 32 countries & took lives of over 20 million people Involved 32 countries & took lives of over 20 million people

A World at War: A New Kind of War Waged on a massive scale Waged on a massive scale Terrible new weapons Terrible new weapons Marked an end to American idealism Marked an end to American idealism

The Jazz Age AKA: The Roaring 20’s

The Jazz Age Americans were disillusioned with traditional values that led to WWI Americans were disillusioned with traditional values that led to WWI Many sought to escape in the pleasures of entertainment and good times Many sought to escape in the pleasures of entertainment and good times Good economy led to rising incomes and more spending for goods and leisure activities Good economy led to rising incomes and more spending for goods and leisure activities

A new era for WOMEN

1920 – women get the right to vote w/ 19 th Amendment 1920 – women get the right to vote w/ 19 th Amendment More women gain financial independence by earning their own wages More women gain financial independence by earning their own wages Emergence of the flapper – new fashions and urban attitudes Emergence of the flapper – new fashions and urban attitudes

EXIT TICKET Now, fill in this paragraph with details you think describe what people during the time period might have dreamed for in their life. For the Europeans, their dream was to be free to have their own religious beliefs. For the Early Americans, their dream was to be free from England and their taxes. For the Native Indians, their dream was to be free to roam their land. For the women, their dream was _______________. For the African Americans, their dream was ________________. For you, your dream is ________________________.

The Great Depression

Good times of the early 20’s came to an end when the stock market crashed in 1929 Banks closed, businesses failed, and workers lost their jobs Banks closed, businesses failed, and workers lost their jobs Unemployment reached 25% Unemployment reached 25% Unable to pay their bills, MANY Americans were homeless Unable to pay their bills, MANY Americans were homeless

Great Depression (continued) Millions of Americans go hungry due to poverty and the Dust Bowl merica-the-story-of- us/videos/america-black- blizzard#america-black-blizzard merica-the-story-of- us/videos/america-black- blizzard#america-black-blizzard

Conformity and Materialism

Mass Culture & the assembly line era significantly shaped by mass media & production era significantly shaped by mass media & production New goods once considered luxuries were now “necessities” New goods once considered luxuries were now “necessities” Led to homogenization of American culture Led to homogenization of American culture Criticized by writers for lowering American values and lifestyles Criticized by writers for lowering American values and lifestyles