Culture and Lifestyles of the 1920’s

Background to the Roaring Twenties  Economic prosperity by the mid-1920’s.  Growth of the secondary and tertiary economic sectors – no longer just primary industry.  Wage increases in manufacturing by the mid-1920’s.  Massive increase of consumerism.  Urbanization – people moving closer to the cities ( %, % in Canada and 63.1% in Ontario)  Economic prosperity by the mid-1920’s.  Growth of the secondary and tertiary economic sectors – no longer just primary industry.  Wage increases in manufacturing by the mid-1920’s.  Massive increase of consumerism.  Urbanization – people moving closer to the cities ( %, % in Canada and 63.1% in Ontario)

Fashion - Women  The new style of women’s dress, known as the “Flapper” was characterized by knee high skirts (dresses), high socks, and open shoes/boots.  Women also cut their hair short, consumed alcohol and smoked in public; very revolutionary for the time.  The new style of women’s dress, known as the “Flapper” was characterized by knee high skirts (dresses), high socks, and open shoes/boots.  Women also cut their hair short, consumed alcohol and smoked in public; very revolutionary for the time.

Technological Developments  The radio (Crystal set receiver developed 1906) burst on to the scene by the 1920’s, providing cheap entertainment for millions.  The telephone (developed 1876) became widely available  The airplane was being used for commercial flying by mid-decade.  The radio (Crystal set receiver developed 1906) burst on to the scene by the 1920’s, providing cheap entertainment for millions.  The telephone (developed 1876) became widely available  The airplane was being used for commercial flying by mid-decade.

Tech. Developments cont… Convenience appliances:  electric stoves  vacuum cleaners  toasters  sewing machines  washing machines  etc…  These gadgets helped create “free or leisure time” for men and women in the 1920’s  Mass advertising takes effect to encourage consumers to BUY BUY BUY! Convenience appliances:  electric stoves  vacuum cleaners  toasters  sewing machines  washing machines  etc…  These gadgets helped create “free or leisure time” for men and women in the 1920’s  Mass advertising takes effect to encourage consumers to BUY BUY BUY!

Advertising for the home

‘Healthy’ advice...

Beverage anyone?

Henry Ford and the Motor Car

The Model ‘T’ Ford  Henry Ford set out to build a car which everyone could afford to buy.  The motor car became incredibly popular during the 1920’s.  It was slow, ugly and difficult to drive, and was nick named the ‘Tin Lizzie’ by the American people.

Key Quote – Henry Ford How would this have helped to cut production costs? ‘A customer can have any colour he likes for his car so long as it's black’

Mass Production  Ford was able to sell cars cheaply because they were mass-produced and every part was standardized (only one colour and one engine size were available).  By producing large numbers of cars on an assembly line, Ford needed fewer skilled workers, and that cut the cost of paying wages.  Ford was able to sell cars cheaply because they were mass-produced and every part was standardized (only one colour and one engine size were available).  By producing large numbers of cars on an assembly line, Ford needed fewer skilled workers, and that cut the cost of paying wages.

The Car (cont’d)  The increasing popularity of the car created a far more mobile culture during the 1920’s.  Day trips to far distances were now a reality.  Helped open-up Canada, ending the isolation experienced by those living in remote areas.  The increasing popularity of the car created a far more mobile culture during the 1920’s.  Day trips to far distances were now a reality.  Helped open-up Canada, ending the isolation experienced by those living in remote areas.

Automotive Advertising

Price Comparison...

ENTERTAINMENT!

Let’s go to the movies!  The 1920’s were dominated by a general increase in “leisure time”  By the end of the decade “talkies” replaced silent films, providing Canadians with some cheap (albeit American) entertainment.  Popular movie stars of the decade included Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford, Clara Bow, Greta Garbo, and Douglas Fairbanks. TThe 1920’s were dominated by a general increase in “leisure time” BBy the end of the decade “talkies” replaced silent films, providing Canadians with some cheap (albeit American) entertainment. PPopular movie stars of the decade included Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford, Clara Bow, Greta Garbo, and Douglas Fairbanks.

Entertainment cont’d  Jazz music and jazz clubs were highly popular.  “The Charleston” was the most popular ragtime jazz dance.  Dance contests were widely popular, often lasting for many hours, to the point of complete exhaustion.  Jazz music and jazz clubs were highly popular.  “The Charleston” was the most popular ragtime jazz dance.  Dance contests were widely popular, often lasting for many hours, to the point of complete exhaustion.

Growth of Canadian Culture

Canadian Art  Canadian art flourished during the 1920’s  Artists such as the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, and Paraskeva Clark are most notable.  This period was characterized by landscape art, as the Group of Seven in particular sought to paint Canada’s most defining images.  Helped to balance the American influence…  Canadian art flourished during the 1920’s  Artists such as the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, and Paraskeva Clark are most notable.  This period was characterized by landscape art, as the Group of Seven in particular sought to paint Canada’s most defining images.  Helped to balance the American influence…

A final salute to the Roaring Twenties...