1. The Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age

2.  Born-September 24, 1896  Died-December 21, 1940  Married Zelda Sayre  born in St. Paul, Minnesota spent four years at Princeton, left before graduating to join the army during WWI  first novel, This Side of Paradise (1920) an autobiographical piece that made him temporarily rich and famous  later in 1920, married Zelda Sayre she was also an aspiring writer

3.  they lived an extravagant life in New York City and Fitzgerald tried to support them with writing  1924 they moved to Europe because it was cheaper to live there he met Ernest Hemingway  published The Great Gatsby (1925) which was a critical success but not a financial success

4.  problems: ◦ debts ◦ alcoholism ◦ first of Zelda’s mental breakdowns (1930)  returned to U.S. and wrote Tender is the Night (1934) which led to his own breakdown  wrote screen plays for Hollywood (1937-1940) ◦ Zelda confined to a mental hospital in North Carolina

5.  World War I ended in 1918-Disillusioned because of the war, this new generation was also referred to as the lost generation.  Farms started to struggle post WWI: 6 million people moved to the urban area; more people lived in the cities than the rural areas.  Urban life was filled with money makers and pleasure seekers.  Rural life was considered to be safe, with close personal ties, hard work and morals.  There was the suburban boom with trolleys, street cars, etc..

6. African Americans were moving north. Why? Jim Crow laws Jim Crow laws New job opportunities in north 1860 – 93% in south 1860 – 93% in south 1930 – 80% in south 1930 – 80% in south Faced hatred from whites Forced low wages Other Migration: Post World War I: European refugees to America Limited immigration in 1920s from Europe and Asia. Employers turned to Mexican and Canadian immigrants to work.

7.  This sense of loss resulted in America throwing itself headlong into a decade of frivolous behavior and materialism known as The Roaring Twenties.  A carefree time of wild parties, illegal drinking, and extravagant lifestyles.  A time of change in fashion and music Jazz Age and saxophone

8. Prohibition was in effect- the restricted sale and use of liquor  original purpose was to abolish saloons which were thought to be immoral and dangerous to society  brought about bootleggers  people who made and sold liquor illegally  they often ran drugstores and other “front” businesses just to sell liquor

9. Illegal gambling existed: Perhaps the worst scandal involving gambling was the Black Sox scandal of 1919 in which 8 members of the Chicago White Sox were indicted for accepting bribes to throw the World Series.

10.  After WWI, Americans were looking for a little fun in the 1920s.  Women were independent and achieving greater freedom: right to vote, more employment. (Entered workforce as nurses, teachers, librarians and secretaries) Still earned less than men and certain jobs were not available to them.

11.  The Jazz Age was also an era of reckless spending and consumption. The flashy new automobile was the status symbol of the time.  Advertising was becoming the major industry that it is today, and soon advertisers took advantage of new roadways by setting up huge billboards at their sides.  Both the automobile and a bizarre billboard play important roles in The Great Gatsby. 

12.  A flapper was an emancipated young woman who embraced the new urban fashions and urban attitudes-rebelled against the norms of the 1900’s.  Drank and smoked in public and married at a later age.  Lived a carefree lifestyle.  Hairstyle fashionable at the time-the bob. bob.

13. New Money Old Money  Someone who has Money from family wealth achieved the American Born rich dream Not earned through work  Not as respected in done by yourself the 1920s Respected above all in the 1920s