Consumerism And Culture 1920s Pt 2 Consumerism And Culture

Consumerism Consumerism – a preoccupation with and desire to buy goods Major growth in markets for nonessential goods in the 20s, esp. appliances Led by expansion of advertising- convincing you that you need things

Explain how the installment plan worked. Consumerism People couldn’t afford everything they wanted Companies allowed people to buy on credit or through payment plans/ installment plans Put some money down, then pay monthly Eventually led to Great Depression because people couldn’t pay for all of them Explain how the installment plan worked.

Harlem Renaissance Artistic and cultural movement in Harlem (NYC) that celebrated African American culture Art, literature, and music Represented the historical experiences of African Americans New identity of African Americans northern cities Critiqued American race-relations Questioned the second class citizenship of African Americans Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Paul Robeson, Aaron Douglas, and Louis Armstrong Jazz became popular, so it drew white Americans into contact with African American culture

What were some of the cultural accomplishments by African Americans?

National Culture Radio- everyone could hear the same music National culture developed for 1st time b/c of mass media Radio- everyone could hear the same music Jazz- most popular music Originated in New Orleans, diffused to other regions like Chicago, Kansas City, and New York Phonograph- people can listen to recorded music Recordings of popular dances like the Charleston. Movies- recorded sound added to film in 1927 The “Jazz Singer”- 1st American film with sound In what ways did radio broadcasting transform American lifestyles?

Women Role of women changed Movement for greater freedom and equality Some started rejecting “traditional” roles Changed style of dress; more women in the work force Shorter hair and skirts for the first time- called “Flappers,” (from dance Charleston) Social and economic position unchanged Traditional roles reinforced in advertising Invention of new appliances like the washing machine Most women voted as their husbands voted, and those that worked earned less pay than their male counterparts How did WWI Change women's role in society?

Cars Henry Ford- made Model T, most popular car of the 20s Increased mobility of Americans  People lived further from work lead to suburbs increased pollution from driving more Building and maintenance of highways became gov responsibilities  more taxes How did the automobile change the United States in the 1920s?

petroleum, rubber, steel, motels, drivie-ins, gas stations Henry Ford Led to new industries petroleum, rubber, steel, motels, drivie-ins, gas stations He paid black & white works equally Mass production led to lower prices average people could afford cards unskilled workers used on the assembly line Model T Perfected the assembly line

New Technology New aviation (airplane) technology Charles Lindbergh- first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean Flew The Spirit of St. Louis from St. Louis to Paris on May 20-21, 1927. Glen Curtiss developed aircraft for transportation and military purposes

Wealth Wealthy Americans had time for leisure activities Americans made more money Wealthy Americans had time for leisure activities Baseball, football, and other sports became popular National heroes emerged- Babe Ruth (baseball) and Red Grange (football) What factors allowed sports to flourish in the 1920s?

Literature and Art Literature showed how people rejected idealism after World War I Also questioning of materialism Georgia O’Keeffe - American female artists Established a uniquely American art form Featured flowers, rock formations, landscapes, animal bones- distinctly American Tin Pan Alley- Part of NYC where 20s music developed; published sheet music for people to play at home

How did economic growth change Americans’ attitudes towards borrowing and spending money?