A Return to A Return to Normalcy:Normalcy:American Life in the 1920sAmerican Life in the 1920s

LESSON 34American Life in the Roaring Twenties (1919-

1929)

RADICAL

LIBERAL

MODERATE

CONSERVATI

VE REACTIONA

RY

Socialists

Anarchists

Communists

Progressives seeking societal reform

People stuck in the middle of Progressive agenda and Republican and Democratic similarities

Pro-business forces in America (typically Republican)

Idealists that sought some nativist aims (KKK, Mugwumps)

POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES OF THE 1920s

How did economic boom color the view of American society?

I. A “MASS CONSUMPTION” ECONOMY

A. “Golden ’20s” BOOMING BUSINESS

• Era of prosperity• New inventions• Widespread

confidence in business and economy

How did economic boom color the view of American society?

B. Symbols of prosperity

1. Automobile production perfected through assembly line (1929: 1 car per 4.9 Americans)

2. Boom in gasoline industry fed off of automobiles spurred migration to cities and new jobs

3. Advertising targeted consumers seduction and sex appeal!

How was society affected by the Roaring ’20s?

II. SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE ROARING ’20s

A. PROHIBITION ERA: Alcohol use blamed for many urban problems

1. 18th Amendment (1919): Prohibited manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol in U.S.

2. Bootlegging and organized crime were on the rise rise of Al Capone and organized crime

The original “Scarface”…

How was society affected by the Roaring ’20s?

3. 1930: Organized crime taking in $12-18 billion in profit helped by new lines of business (prostitution, gambling, narcotics)

4. Did prohibition help? Absenteeism at work down Personal savings increased

among lower classes SPEAKEASIES: Middle-class

havens for drinking Enforcement difficult and

casualThe original “Scarface”…

How was society affected in the Roaring ’20s?

B. NATIVISM1. Increased as nation

became increasingly isolationist

2. Denouncement of “radical” and “un-American” ideas paranoia over Bolshevism

3. Period of increased labor strikes 20% of workforce walked out (1920) over inflation

4. Sacco & Vanzetti Trial (1921): Italians convicted of murder although presence at crime could not be confirmed

How was society affected in the Roaring ’20s?

5. Ku Klux Klan (KKK) revival 5 million strong

(greater spread in Midwest)

Racist and isolationist more nativist than later years

6. “Red Scare” – Palmer Raids (1919-1920) Series of arrests to

eliminate suspected communists

Caused cutbacks on free speech and deportation to Europe emphasis on “Americanism”

A. Mitchell Palmer

How was society affected in the Roaring ’20s?

7. Immigration laws EMERGENCY QUOTA

ACT (1921): 3% limit on certain nationalities in U.S. focused on Poles, Italians, Russians

NATIONAL ORIGINS ACT (IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1924): Cut limit to 2% and shut door on Japanese

Led to more foreigners leaving by 1931 than coming in

Why did religion factor in a society driven by consumerism?

C. THE EMERGENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT1. FUNDAMENTALISTS: Christian reformers who

aimed at Darwinism Darwinian belief destroyed faith in God and society Led to growth in Baptist church and Church of

Christ

2. BUTLER LAW (1924): Tennessee law banning teaching of evolution against creationism (Christian belief)

3. SCOPES TRIAL (1925): Biology teacher indicted for teaching Darwinian theory in class case fought by ACLUa. Placed fundamentalism on trialb. Scopes found guilty, but fine waivedc. Both Darwinism and fundamentalism strengthened

What signaled the development of the “Lost Generation”?

D. YOUNG & RESTLESS: Rebellion against

conformity Further liberation

of women

E. BULL MARKET: Overspeculation led to ever-growing stock market crippled by credit concerns and tax cuts for rich

How did the Great Depression begin worldwide economic collapse?

III. CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

A. 1920s: Underlying problems with U.S. economy

• Investment on credit: High level of debt to investment banks and creditors debt caused by buying on margin and speculation

• Overproduction: production of more goods than could be sold to the public

How did the Great Depression begin worldwide economic collapse?

• Uneven distribution of income: Half of population lived at or below the poverty level

• Shrinking international trade: Tariffs made it hard to sell products abroad

• Shaky banking and credit: Banking was still unregulated by the federal government

How did the Great Depression begin worldwide economic collapse?

B. October 29, 1929: STOCK MARKET CRASH

1. Signaled beginning of Great Depression

2. Failure of overvalued businesses

3. Shaky banking system crumbled

4. Bankruptcy hit farmers struggling due to severe droughts

5. Very high unemployment by 1933, over 25% of American workers unemployed

How did the Great Depression begin worldwide economic collapse?

C. Dust Bowl: Overproduction of ’20s countered with severe droughts over 1 million farmers driven from land