Culture of the 1920s

Remember from last time… Return to Normalcy Return to Normalcy Nativism Nativism Isolationism Isolationism Prejudice Prejudice Anti-Immigration Anti-Immigration Hostility Hostility

The Sacco and Vanzetti Case April 15, 1920 – Two employees of a factory are robbed and shot in Braintree, Massachusetts. The two men arrested, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were immigrants and anarchists. Despite questionable evidence, the two were convicted and executed. This shows the strength of the RED SCARE and anti-immigration sentiment during this time. Other signs of fear and intolerance include a revival of the Ku Klux Klan in the late 1910s and early 1920s.

There was also a cultural conflict within America Traditional/Fundamen tal Views Modernist Views

Traditional v Modern Conservative Women Conservative Women Prohibition and Gambling Restrictions Prohibition and Gambling Restrictions Religion Religion Theatre and Symphony Theatre and Symphony Newspapers Newspapers Loose Women Loose Women Speakeasies and Gambling Halls Speakeasies and Gambling Halls Evolution Evolution Talkies and the Jazz Age Talkies and the Jazz Age Radio Radio Old School

FLAPPERS During this “return to normalcy” in the 1920s, many people wore new clothing styles and acted in a way that differed from the norm. During this “return to normalcy” in the 1920s, many people wore new clothing styles and acted in a way that differed from the norm. Women known as FLAPPERS embodied the carefree spirit of this time. Women known as FLAPPERS embodied the carefree spirit of this time.

Traditional v Modern Conservative women were traditionally expected to act a certain way. Conservative women were traditionally expected to act a certain way. Don’t drink Don’t smoke Don’t be loud Dress Conservatively Flappers were much more loose and casual with the way they carried themselves. Flappers were much more loose and casual with the way they carried themselves. They Drank They Smoked They were outgoing. Dressed Provocatively

Traditional v Modern Religious Education Evolution Education Tennessee State Law prohibited the teaching evolution in science classrooms. John Scopes decided to teach it anyway. His case “The Scopes Trial” went all the way to the Tennessee Supreme Court. The original law banning evolution was upheld but this began the argument for teaching evolution in classrooms.

The Scopes Trial As science progresses, there is a conflict between those who believe in EVOLUTION, and those who believe in CREATIONISM. As science progresses, there is a conflict between those who believe in EVOLUTION, and those who believe in CREATIONISM. Many FUNDAMENTALISTS reject Darwin’s idea of revolution. Many FUNDAMENTALISTS reject Darwin’s idea of revolution. In 1925, Tennessee passes the BUTLER ACT, which outlawed teaching evolution. In 1925, Tennessee passes the BUTLER ACT, which outlawed teaching evolution. Sensing that this was unconstitutional, the ACLU convinced JOHN T. SCOPES, a biology teacher in Dayton, to teach evolution. He was arrested and put on trial. Sensing that this was unconstitutional, the ACLU convinced JOHN T. SCOPES, a biology teacher in Dayton, to teach evolution. He was arrested and put on trial. CLARENCE DARROW defended Scopes at the trial and WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN was the prosecutor. CLARENCE DARROW defended Scopes at the trial and WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN was the prosecutor. After being found guilty, the verdict was later overturned After being found guilty, the verdict was later overturned

18 th AMENDMENT In 1920, the 18 th Amendment bans the sale, production, and distribution of alcohol in the United States. In 1920, the 18 th Amendment bans the sale, production, and distribution of alcohol in the United States. Congress passes the VOLSTEAD ACT, giving the Department of the Treasury the ability to enforce the 18 th Amendment. Congress passes the VOLSTEAD ACT, giving the Department of the Treasury the ability to enforce the 18 th Amendment. Many Americans get around this law by drinking at SPEAKEASIES (secret bars) and buying alcohol from BOOTLEGGERS. Many Americans get around this law by drinking at SPEAKEASIES (secret bars) and buying alcohol from BOOTLEGGERS.

Traditional v Modern The invention of the Radio allowed people to listen to music and news in their homes. The invention of the Radio allowed people to listen to music and news in their homes. This new entertainment and form of communication contributed to the rise of “mass culture.” This new entertainment and form of communication contributed to the rise of “mass culture.” Everybody has access to the same information/stuff.

Traditional v Modern Entertainment Traditionally people went to the theatre or the symphony for entertainment. Traditionally people went to the theatre or the symphony for entertainment. People went to the movies to see talkies or to the dance halls and speakeasies to listen and Dance to Jazz. People went to the movies to see talkies or to the dance halls and speakeasies to listen and Dance to Jazz.

Writers in the 1920s Carl Sandburg – a poet known for glorifying the Midwest and working class people. Best known for “Chicago” and “Fog” Carl Sandburg – a poet known for glorifying the Midwest and working class people. Best known for “Chicago” and “Fog”

“The Lost Generation” After the war, a large number of writers become very disillusioned about the future of the world after seeing the devastation of WWI. They become known as the “Lost Generation” After the war, a large number of writers become very disillusioned about the future of the world after seeing the devastation of WWI. They become known as the “Lost Generation” T.S. Eliot – Poet known for “The Hollow Men” – “The world will end, not with a bang, but with a whimper.” T.S. Eliot – Poet known for “The Hollow Men” – “The world will end, not with a bang, but with a whimper.” Ernest Hemingway – An ambulance driver during the war. Best known for For Whom the Bell Tolls, A Farewell to Arms, The Sun Also Rises, and The Old Man and the Sea. Ernest Hemingway – An ambulance driver during the war. Best known for For Whom the Bell Tolls, A Farewell to Arms, The Sun Also Rises, and The Old Man and the Sea. Eugene O’Neill – Most famous playwright of his time. Eugene O’Neill – Most famous playwright of his time. F. Scott Fitzgerald – His book, The Great Gatsby, embodied the despair of “The Lost Generation” F. Scott Fitzgerald – His book, The Great Gatsby, embodied the despair of “The Lost Generation”

Artists of the 1920s Edward Hopper used city scenes to embody the sadness, disenchantment, and isolation that many people felt after WWI. Edward Hopper used city scenes to embody the sadness, disenchantment, and isolation that many people felt after WWI.

THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE In the NYC neighborhood of Harlem, African American artists and writers begin a movement championing black culture known as the HARLEM RENAISSANCE. These writers included: In the NYC neighborhood of Harlem, African American artists and writers begin a movement championing black culture known as the HARLEM RENAISSANCE. These writers included: Claude McKay – A poet that brings problems of racism to the public Claude McKay – A poet that brings problems of racism to the public Zora Neale Hurston – Female novelist that wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God about strong black women in the South. Zora Neale Hurston – Female novelist that wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God about strong black women in the South. Langston Hughes – Most famous poet of the Harlem Renaissance. Most famous poem is “Harlem.” Langston Hughes – Most famous poet of the Harlem Renaissance. Most famous poem is “Harlem.”

Music in the 1920s A focus on JAZZ, SWING and the BLUES becomes popular in the 1920s. A focus on JAZZ, SWING and the BLUES becomes popular in the 1920s. Louis Armstrong – Nickname “Satchmo,” most famous jazz trumpet player ever. Louis Armstrong – Nickname “Satchmo,” most famous jazz trumpet player ever. Bessie Smith – Brought blues to the mainstream. Bessie Smith – Brought blues to the mainstream. Ma Rainey – Another early blues artist. Ma Rainey – Another early blues artist.

Marcus Garvey As segregation and discrimination gets worse, many African Americans start to look for new ways to fight it. As segregation and discrimination gets worse, many African Americans start to look for new ways to fight it. Marcus Garvey begins the United Negro Improvement Association. He calls for self- reliance and separation from white society. Marcus Garvey begins the United Negro Improvement Association. He calls for self- reliance and separation from white society. Eventually, he toys with the idea of beginning a colony in the African country of Liberia. Eventually, he toys with the idea of beginning a colony in the African country of Liberia.

To sum it all up: The Roaring 20s was a time of rapid change. The Roaring 20s was a time of rapid change. The transition from traditionalist to modernist views signaled a massive change in society. The transition from traditionalist to modernist views signaled a massive change in society. African Americans in Harlem celebrated their culture through Art, Music, and Literature. African Americans in Harlem celebrated their culture through Art, Music, and Literature.