Prosperity and

Depression

The 1920s

I: Effects of WWI and into the 1920s

Political Effects

The Red Scare- the fear of communism in the United States

The U.S. as a world power- strength from imperialism and influence in WWI

Social Effects

Influenza- deadly flu virus that killed millions worldwide

Changes in women’s roles- many were working outside the house and many want to keep these responsibilities now that the men are back

*19th Amendment- gave women the right to vote and was a result of their influence/contributions during the war

Economic Effects

INFLATION- prices go up and after the war Americans rushed to buy goods

*After WWI, Americans were purchasing consumer goods instead of war bonds.

II: A BOOMING ECONOMY

Open your textbook to pg. 324

By the end of the group work, be prepared to write a reflection about the economy of the 1920s (WITHOUT your notes)

Once you are in a group, answer your designated question.-Come up with 3 or 4 key points as your answer

Booming Economy cont.

Within your new group, each member has 1-2 minutes to explain their question and answer.

– All other members must listen to the response and fill in the orange sheet.

– *Do not worry about copying it down word for word. Just get the key ideas. We will discuss each question as a class.

Booming Economy cont.

FOR THE EXIT REFLECTION:

Think back to what we discussed during class.

To receive all of your points, you must give 4 examples and explain each example!

III: 1920s Social and Cultural Tensions

Issue #1: Traditionalism vs Modernism What is traditionalism?

– Protestant teachings and the bible as truth– Rural areas

What is modernism?– Science and secular values (not religious ideas)– Urban areas

The BIG CLASH....

…of modernism and traditionalism occurred during the Scopes Trial.

During the trial: John Scopes was in trouble for teaching

evolution in Tennesse.

He was found guilty of teaching evolution and had to pay a $100 fine

Issue #2: Immigration

There were many nativists who opposed immigration. The belief was that immigrants took jobs and threatened American traditions.

WWI, the Russian Revolution and the Red Scare strengthened the argument against immigration.

Who are they? – Sacco and Vanzetti

What happened? – Both men were accused of killing two people

during a holdup.

What was the outcome?– Sacco and Vanzetti were executed even

though there was not much evidence.

More struggles with immigration:

The National Origins Act was established in 1924. This act set up a quota system with the following formula.

FORMULA= The number of immigrants of a given nationality each year could not exceed 2% of the number of people of that nationality living in the United States in 1890.

Issue #3: The New KKK

Many people were upset that the country was becoming more URBAN and did not like the symbols of change. As a result, some turned to groups that supported hate and violence.

The Ku Klux Klan was originally started during Reconstruction but the new group pops up in 1915. The newly revived KKK also targeted Jews, Catholics, and Immigrants.

Issue #4: Prohibition and Crime

In 1919 the 18th Amendment was passed

which outlawed alcohol.

Advocated for alcohol= “Wets”

Opponents of alcohol= “Drys”

Did Americans stop drinking?!

Bootleggers= made and sold illegal alcohol

Speakeasies= secret drinking place

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States#Repeal

1920s Culture

New Appliances-

radio phonograph toaster vacuum lamp dishwasher washing machine

Leisure-

Time dedicated to leisure grows in the 1920s

More people were living in the city Shorter work week and higher pay helped

Movies and theater!

Sports-

BASEBALL

Celebrities-

Charlie Chaplin

The “New Woman”-

The Harlem Renaissance

Where is Harlem?– New York City

Many African Americans moved NORTH (what we call the Great Migration)– This move promoted new ideas and racial pride

The 1920s was also called-The Jazz Age

Louis Armstrong

Who was he?– Jazz singer

and

trumpet player

The Harlem Renaissance = this growth and development of African American culture

*A result of the Great Migration

“Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can anyone deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me." -Zora Hurston

` Langston Hughes

The night is beautiful,So the faces of my people.

The stars are beautiful,So the eyes of my people

Beautiful, also, is the sun.Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people.