The Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties Why is this decade called “Roaring”? What images does that bring up?

The Roaring Twenties The 1920s was a time of tremendous change in America but also some stability. This is often called the first decade of the 20th Century. Why would it be called that?

The Roaring Twenties Government The 1920s Economy Society

The Roaring Twenties 1920s Government Government in the 1920s was very conservative. What does that mean? Why would Americans want a more conservative government? The 1920s – “Return to Normalcy” What does this mean? What was “abnormal” about the era before the 20’s?

The Roaring Twenties Disarmament: Huge cuts in military size Isolationism: Less involvement in foreign affairs Anti-Immigration: Laws restrict immigration severely Government Laissez-faire: Less regulation of the economy Prohibition Alcohol was illegal

The Roaring Twenties How do these Government policies fit in with the ideas of: Normalcy Conservative Government How would these policies affect other areas of life in America?

The Roaring Twenties 1920s Economy The 1920s saw a huge growth in the Economy. One of the most prosperous times in US History There were inventions and changes that made life easier and allowed people to get wealthier. Life became much more technologically advanced.

The Roaring Twenties Economy Credit: Easy credit became available. Consumer economy: Our economy became centered on making products for ordinary people to buy. Assembly Line: Mass production increased supply – lowered prices. Model T Economy Electricity: More homes and businesses connected to electricity – more electric appliances, tools, machines Technology: New products & machinery. Stock Market: More people got involved. Mass Entertainment: All Americans could enjoy the same things at once. Advertising: Birth of mass advertising

The Roaring Twenties 1920s Economy What are the connections between these economic factors? Electricity and technology led to many changes Factories produced more New products were cheaper to buy Electricity in homes led to new appliances and tools Radio & movies led to mass advertising and entertainment Consumerism fueled the economy Easy credit let people buy more More buying led to more manufacturing More manufacturing led to more jobs People invested in new, growing companies

The Roaring Twenties Cars and radios changed America They weren’t invented in the 1920s so why were they so important? This is when they first became widely available to people Cars Henry Ford mass produced the automobile so everyone could have one. By the end of the decade, cars had become a status symbol. The growth of the automobile led to changes in: Government New laws, more roads. Society New dating rules, more vacations and travel. The Economy More use of oil, new businesses related to the car.

The Roaring Twenties Radio 1921 – 50,000 radios in America - One radio station 1929 – 10 million radios in America - 750 radio stations The radio changed America. Government New laws and regulations (FCC) Economy The radio is a “must have item” Advertising increases Music becomes a big industry Society Pop Culture is born New heroes develop Becoming popular was now part of the American Dream.

The Roaring Twenties Challenging Traditions: People enjoy breaking the rules and the laws Religion: 3rd Great Awakening Materialism: The more you have-the better you are. Ku Klux Klan: Huge growth in membership and power Society Pop Culture is Born: Fads, fashions, new heroes, pop music, sports and entertainment. The New Woman Many women push for a more independent life. The Harlem Renaissance: Many African-Americans move north & enjoy a more free lifestyle.

The Roaring Twenties The New Woman Why would women in the 1920s feel a new sense of freedom? Suffrage More opportunities for education and jobs The New Woman was usually young and most lived in cities. - Flappers New, more revealing fashions New habits – driving, dancing, drinking, smoking, socializing with men in public Pushed the limits of acceptable behavior. Challenged traditional views of a woman’s role

The Roaring Twenties What connections can you make on the graphic organizer? Are there connections you can make between all three areas of life?

So why is this known as the Roaring Twenties?

The Roaring Twenties What usually happens in a society when there is a lot of change? Resistance to Change There were Americans who did not like the changes America was experiencing Why? Who would be against these changes? How would people who don’t want change respond?

The Roaring Twenties There were really two major societies in the 1920s One was for those who welcomed the changes Mostly in the cities One was for those struggling to hold on to traditional ways Mostly rural areas

The Roaring Twenties Resistance to Change Many wanted to keep traditional life alive Rural Americans Southerners Older Americans What didn’t they like? The New Woman was dangerous (Why?) Too many immigrants African-Americans were gaining some acceptance Rural Americans were losing political and social power Most Americans now lived in cities The culture of the cities was spreading thanks to radio and cars The economy focused more on industries, not farms

The Roaring Twenties Culture Clashes There were areas where Change and Tradition clashed Government was very conservative Jim Crow Restrictions on Women Scopes Monkey Trial – science vs. religion Ku Klux Klan – their high point in US History Prohibition – widely ignored in cities (and the White House)

The Roaring Twenties Culture Clashes What are the culture clashes we have today? Can we see a connection to the clashes of the 1920s?

How do the 1920’s still affect us? The Roaring Twenties How do the 1920’s still affect us?

Party’s Over! The Roaring Twenties October 1929 – The Stock Market Crash This is seen as the official beginning of the Great Depression The worst economic time in World History begins.