Post War America and the Roaring 20s 1918-1929

1920s Time of great social change in America The United States transforms into an urban nation Social upheaval and disillusionment after the great war American values leading to the war were questioned Many former soldiers were opposed to the ideals that drew the U.S. into a European conflict Many changes in every day American life

Women The 1920s woman is quite a bit different from her relatives of a decade before Shorter hair Simpler clothing Make up More risqué lifestyle This new modern woman was given the name of a “flapper”, after a film of the same name whose main character was one of this new breed of woman

The Shimmy – AVERT YOUR GAZE!!!

Suffrage Women resented having to go back to home and hearth after having been to work Replaced by men returning from war Those who remained at work resented not being treated as equals to men No leadership jobs Less pay for equal work No skilled labor positions The Suffrage Movement Many women protested and fought for the right to vote Women finally granted suffrage in 1919 by the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution Made possible by long and hard work by suffragettes like Lucy Stone and Susan B. Anthony

Notable Women Pioneers Lettie Pate Whitehead President of the Coca Cola Company Jeanette Rankin U.S. Congress Nellie Tayloe Ross Governor of Wyoming Ameilia Earhart Pilot

Entertainment Film Cecille B. DeMille was one of the early pioneers of American cinema Early film makers didn’t have the ability to record sound in their pictures, so the films were “silent” The Hollywoodland suburb of Los Angeles became the hub for the film making industry Mass media – print, film, and broadcast methods of communicating with large numbers of people.

The Jazz Age Jazz Music born of African and Caribbean Roots Considered a “black” music Popular with younger people Hated by the older generation Syncopated rhythms allowed for suggestive dancing Blamed for the loose morals of younger people of the 20s The 1920s, with its free and liberal lifestyle, became known as The Jazz Age

The Devil’s Music… The Entertainer - Scott Joplin The Original Dixieland Jass Band Composer Scott Joplin

Prohibition Prohibition – made the drinking, making, selling, or purchasing of alcohol a federal crime Three main goals of prohibition: Eliminate drunkenness ad the abuse of family members and others that it causes Eliminate saloons where prostitution and gambling occur Eliminate absenteeism and on-the-job accidents that occur as a result of drunkenness 18th Amendment to the Constitution

Bootlegging Bootleggers – people who distribute illegal alcohol Speakeasies – illegal nightclubs that feature gambling, prostitution, and alcohol that were very prevalent during prohibition The 18th Amendment caused more trouble than it prevented Bootlegging was the most rampant crime in America Organized Crime thrived on bootlegging profits The 18th Amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment

The Scopes Trial Fundamentalism – Religious backlash to moral depravity in the 1920s Pushed the infallibility of God and the Bible Sough to influence education and commerce John T. Scopes – Tennessee science teacher Charge with teaching evolution, a violation of the laws of Tennessee Found guilty, and fined $100 Brought the dispute between science and religion to the forefront through the use of mass media