America Today

Lindsey Moore, Noelle Jung, Michael Rash, Carter LeaVesseur,

and Jenny Pigge

Table of Contents 3 “The Monkey Trial” 4 “Power to Women” 5 “The Jazz Age” 6 “The Clash Over Alcohol” 7 “A New Type of Star” 8 “Plug your Ears! Avoid the Lies” 9 “’Talkies’” 10 “Dating” 11 “Transportation Takes Flight” 12 “Racial Tensions” 13 “Consumerism” and “Installment Buying” 14 “The Power of the Radio” and “Tuney V. Dempsey” 15 “Revelation in Production” 16 Bibliography

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The Monkey Trial by Jenny Pigge

Recently, substitute science teacher John Scopes was arrested for teaching evolution in a public Tennessee school. Evolution is a theory that was created by Charles Darwin. The theory states that all plants and animals have evolved from simpler forms of life. Many Tennesseans are traditionalists, so they reject evolution because it conflicts with creationism, the belief that God created the universe as described in the Bible. Tennessee is the only state with a law that makes teaching evolution in public schools illegal. Now, this law has been challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Rumor has it that an ACLU lawyer convinced Scopes to claim he had taught evolution, even though he hadn't, so that a national test case could be made. Either way, Scopes was arrested. Defense attorney Clarance Darrow offered to defend Scopes for free. Fundamentalist William Jennigs Bryan offered to

represent the state of Tennessee for free. On the morning of July 10 the case began. The heated battle of the two brilliant lawyers came to a close on July 21, with Scopes found guilty and fined $100. Bryan died in his sleep in Dayton, Tennessee just last night, July 26. The cause of his death has not yet been released, but he is suspected to have passed away from a natural death.

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Power to Women by Jenny Pigge

In 1920, the 19th Amendment was passed, granting women the right to vote. Suffragists have been marching, starving, and sacrificing relationships for years, trying to win women the political right to vote. After being imprisoned, suffragists would go on a hunger strike and be force-fed. Anti-suffragists were one of the main causes that the right for women to vote was delayed. Anti-suffragists argued that a woman's femininity and motherliness made them unsuited for politics. An anti-suffragist summed up their beliefs saying, “while desiring the fullest possible development of the powers, energies, and education of women, we believe that their work for the State and their responsibilities towards it, must always differ essentially from those of men. Although anti-suffragists fought hard, in the end

suffragists won their cause. Women can vote. Now that women can vote, they are pushing for even greater, and possibly deserved, political power. The League of Women Voters was formed to educate voters on public issues. In 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross and Miriam Amanda Ferguson became governors of their states. This year, Representative Mae Ella Norton became the first woman to chair a congressional committee. What power will women take next?

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The Jazz Age by Jenny Pigge

America is now in the Jazz Age. Jazz is a new type of music that is distinctly American. Jazz developed from ragtime and blues, and was born in New Orleans. Jazz music spread like wildfire to huge cities including Kansas City, Saint Louis, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. Jazz is heavily influenced by African American music. When African Americans migrated to the North, they brought their jazzy tunes with them. The African American neighborhood of Harlem has hosted almost all great jazz musicians, including Duke Ellington and Charlie Johnson. Jazz is playing a large part in the Harlem Renaissance, an artistic movement

currently taking place in Harlem. With the birth of a new type of music came the birth of a new type of dancing. The Charleston is now a very popular dance. This fast-paced dance includes wild kicks, twists, and turns. Young Americans have quickly fallen in love with dancing and jazz. Older Americans are shocked by the outrageous dance moves. An elderly woman remarked, “This jazz music is causing a loosening of moral standards in our youth!”

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The Clash Over Alcohol

by Noelle Jung Prohibition, which made the manufacturing and selling alcohol illegal, was ratified in 1919, and was put into action in 1920. Originally, the Eighteenth Amendment was to improve American society by bringing “happiness and prosperity.” Americans thought poverty, corruption, and crimes would be gone if alcohol was prohibited. Majority liked the act at first, but now people are realizing the prohibition act was a mistake. It’s evident that they didn’t expect the negative outcomes that have occurred. An act can work only if people support it, but millions are disobeying and are against it. There‘s one perspective by the dries, and one perspective by the wets. Traditionalists and progressive reformers have the dry perspective. They think alcohol is the reason of crime, violence, and family breakup. They have the mindset that prohibition will improve our society. On the other hand, wets are opposed to prohibition; they think it’s invading their privacy. The number of wets were small, but they’re getting bigger and bigger as time goes by. Prohibition made normal citizens criminals, and it’s not even being enforced properly because the bureau

doesn’t have enough supplies. Prohibition is increasing crime, which is the opposite of what dries had hoped. Hundreds of murders are coming from the Al Capone gang. So many bars and pubs were closed, and now there are twice as many as illegal bars, which are called Speakeasies. It’s estimated there are 32,000 speakeasies just in New York. Also, making “bathtub gin,” and “bootlegging” are becoming common. Even though, alcohol consumption decreased, and more workers are spending wages on their families, prohibition is causing more trouble.

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A New Type of Star by Lindsey Moore

Since movies are becoming very popular nowadays, movie stars are becoming national celebrities. Tons of fans look up to these celebrities. It’s not just movie stars that are becoming celebrities. People from the radio, presidents, millionaires, inventors, writers, directors, athletes, and many more are becoming celebrities. People are reading about, writing about, listening to, and watching these celebrities. People are trying to imitate these celebrities’ actions. And they are trying to be more like them. Some popular celebrities include Warren G. Harding, the 29th president, Herbert Hoover, a millionaire from his mining company, Andrew Mellon, a millionaire from financing, Eugene Debs, a labor organizer and leader, Al Smith, the fourth term governor for New York, Henry

Ford, the greatest businessman ever (he is the founder of Ford Motor Company), DW Griffith, a movie director, F. Scott Fitzgerald, a writer, Margaret Sanger, the most important birth control advocate, Charles Lindbergh, the first American pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean, Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time, Marcus Garvey, a popular black nationalist leader, Zora Neale Hurston, an African American writer who is famous for her novel, “Their Eyes Were Waiting God”, and Sinclair Lewis, a novelist and playwright. He was the first American to win a Nobel Prize.

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Plug your Ears! Avoid the Lies

by Lindsey Moore Advertising is a huge help to businesses. Radios are very helpful to advertise products and businesses. Radios help businesses advertise way more than print does. The radio attracts larger audiences, and people who can’t read or see can hear the advertisements. In August of 1922, the first paid advertisement was made. Queens’ Bro purchased a ten minute commercial to advertise their real estate development. Using bold and realistic graphics and photographs seems to attract more business than soft illustrations do. Lots of tabloids are being used. Tabloids are false information or opinions. So, they are most likely not accurate. Lots of companies are using celebrity endorsements to bring in business. It is all physiological, if celebrities are in the advertisements people will

want to be like them more so they will use the product. An economic boom has been brought on by advertisements. Lots of companies are taking advantage of the opportunities the radio is offering. The government has made no attempt to regulate radio advertisements. Companies can use whatever they want and can say whatever they want in their advertisements. They can use any techniques that were needed to bring in costumers. There are both false and accurate advertisements. Be careful about which advertisements you believe.

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“Talkies” by Noelle Jung

Movies’ ticket sales increased from $301 million, in the beginning of the 1920’s, to $721 million now, and they’re still rising. This shows how popular films have become, and that movies are becoming one of the biggest businesses. Most people are going to movie theaters to get away from postwar recession and have some fun. They get excited, laugh, and cry when they watch films. Movies are shaping our culture by creating movie stars, such as Charlie Chaplin and Valentino. Charlie Chaplin, a very famous silent film actor, hasn’t been in “talkies” yet. He’s best known as the Tramp by his silly acting that has been making people laugh. Movie stars are now national celebrities; fans idolize them and go crazy over them. All Americans share the same experiences by watching movies, and because of that new fashions, new hairstyles, and less strict rules are b

eing made. Although silent films were popular, “talkies” are what is greatly contributing to the rise of the popularity of films. “Talkies,” motion pictures with sound, became a huge hit after The Jazz Singer came out one year ago. The Jazz Singer is the first movie ever to have dialogues. This new revolutionary industry has suddenly become a great hit, and is decreasing the production of silent films. Because of the escalation of “talkies,” big studios are beginning to acquire cinema chains. The movie industry is rising, and it seems like it will keep rising.

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Dating by Lindsey Moore

Dating patterns have changed a lot! Nowadays, there are no chaperones that go on dates with their children. When you “go out” there is no formal commitment. You could have a “thing,” or just be friends. Parents have no control over what is being said or done on these dates. Men are now paying for their date. Couples are now getting to know each other better first before they start “dating.” Instead of going on “blind dates” set up by their parents they can now decide whether or not they like the person before they start dating. Automobiles are greatly affecting dating patterns. They give people

more freedom to do whatever they want. They also give people more privacy, therefore intimacy. Pregnancy rates are quickly rising. People like their freedom very much. They love not having chaperones on dates anymore, and are huge fans of the privacy they get during dates.

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Transportation Takes Flight

by Noelle Jung Airplanes used to be made of wood and canvas. But, Henry Ford manufactured all-metal planes to make them safer. In WW1, planes could only transport light objects such as mail. Now, modified planes can carry heavier objects like passengers and goods, and travel longer distances. The U.S. Post Office is using them to deliver mail to other large cities. Commercial aviation is growing. Due to these advancements, records about airplanes’ speed and distance are being set and broken. One pilot is suddenly an international celebrity, after flying from New York City to Paris without stopping. His name is Charles Lindbergh, and he was competing for the Orteig Prize. Also, barnstormers put dangerous shows on to show off their airplane flying skills at fairs and other events. Many plane crashes have occurred and barnstormers get killed putting on those shows. Americans have more cars than bathtubs. It’s estimated there are 8 million cars possessed by Americans. This change has altered the American life. It is now possible for us to travel far, and now workers don’t have to live close to their work. Also, because car o

wners are increasing, suburbs are growing faster than cities. People find it more convenient driving to their workplace and living in suburbs. Henry Ford is the one who made this all possible. A few years ago, he began selling plain cars at cheap prices that average Americans could afford. Now, so many people are able to afford one. Cars are giving freedom to teens and women, and they’re making traveling fun. They allow us to feel a new kind of sensation. But since cars can’t travel well on dirt tracks, a lot of roads are being paved. Along those highways, many gas stations, motels, diners, and campgrounds, are settling. Cars and airplanes have changed American society.

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Racial Tensions by Michael Rash

From this reporter’s eyes, there is a lot of tension between whites and blacks. Mostly, the thoughts of what the whites want to happen to the blacks and a huge note of prove of what they want is the KKK which stands for Ku Klux Klan who existed before hand but reported to have disbanded and now it seems that someone has starts it up again and seems to of a huge following already which the estimates of group members nationally is guessed to be between 3 million to 8 million, with even doctors, lawyers, and minsters becoming loyal to it’s cause and what is the Ku Klux Klan’s cause exactly? Well the original’s was to kill and show examples of black people in very brutal manners, now they are doing it again but now against even more types of people that are of different origin, skin, and religion. But there is still more tensions in this category of race and another huge example is the Back to Africa Movement which was

brought up by Marcus Garvey who made the UNIA(Universal Negro Improvement Association) and which he boosted for a emigration Sentiment which has I mention the Back to Africa movement. Though this idea was scorned by middle class and professional blacks it seems that Marcus’s mantra and charismatic leadership has helped rallying up a following with African-American supporters. Also on the matter of the conditions for the colors is being challenged by Du Bois who is activist for African Americans and is a leading figure of the NAACP and right now he has a deep concern with the conditions that other African American go through and have to deal with and he wants to change it greatly.

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Consumerism by Michael Rash

In these eyes that I have I have seen for the past few years which I think allows me to say that more and more people are becoming a general extra dollar to consumerism. But I have no right to say it’s a crime, my dollars also are added to the other thousands that are spent, but who can blame anyone when everywhere you go you see advertisements that show amazing new products which obviously people want to buy the new shiny gadget that is being made and with so many adds flying around it’s easy to see that a person will find there object of interest. There’s also the mail order catalogues that at least one person in the household has one. But with all this demand for products of mass production the products are being accelerated faster then they an be defined. With all this evidence I have said I want to say something that’s obvious with the new relation of us has Americans and consumerism…we have added it into a everyday life style and we have made so that it’s part of are daily routine in are life’s and I don’t think it will stop being part of it for a long time to come.

A new form of payment is coming along, and you’ve probably heard of it. The installment plan. The installment plan has taken America by storm; most goods are now purchased under an installment plan, or on credit. Most commonly, automobiles are purchased under this plan. The plan works by giving the company what is called a down plan, and then you pay a monthly fee to the store to pay off the rest. This works great for most Americans, because it gives you the item right away, and you pay it off in small amounts. This is a very sensible way to purchase goods. If you can’t pay it back that month, they may take back the item. As mentioned previously, credit is also a sensible way to pay for long term items. Many middle class citizens use this system of payment, because you can pay back any amount you want, whenever you want. The only downside is that if you miss a payment, the amount you owe increases a whole lot.

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Installment Buying

by CarterLeaVesseur

Tuney V.

Dempsey by CarterLeaVesseur

The Tunney V. Dempsey heavyweight title fight has finally come upon us, and this 10 round right was a real nail biter. For those readers that don’t know when this was, it was Friday, September 12th 1927. The fight started out with Tunney blocking and avoiding every punch that Dempsey tried to throw. Then in the 4th round, Dempsey getting frustrated, stepped up his game. He dropped his jab game and started going for heavier power blows. By round 7, neither fighter was going down, and no progress was showing until Dempsey cornered Tunney, both throwing a barrage of blows. 8th round Dempsey sees no escape but to attempt a KO, and starts going all out. 10th round, both fighters are broken but still breathing. Neither Tunney nor Dempsey got the KO, leaving it to the score cards, making the 10 rounds of battle, a tie.

Right now almost everybody has a radio and why wouldn’t they this little thing using sound waves allows us to hear about all starts of stuff! We can now listen to the game even while were at the bar, work, or home and we get to hear all of the details of the play. Not only do we get to hear any games were interested in but also new products that are out for us to buy and the ran down of what it does and works, During election times we hear lots of ads from the running candidates and we don’t have to travel to listen to their speeches when we can hear it straight from the radio, we also get to hear little skits and plays as well if we want to. Oh yeah and back to sports and radios because of it there has been I huge impact to the area of sports and it’s increasing amount of audience and how much details of the sport and play that it covers at many different levels and varieties of athletics. But besides the radio everyone is also interested in another invention that’s using the same kind of idea with the technology of sound waves and broadcasting technology that allows us the Television though not has popularity has the radio it has a lot of promise I think

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The Power of the Radio

by CarterLeaVesseur

Revelation in Production

by CarterLeaVesseur Henry Ford, the father of the automobile, is releasing a second design of his first Model A in 1927. While he not only developed the automobile into the amazing machine it is today, he made them sensible, and very affordable. Ford even created 53,000 jobs filling about 14,000 full time positions. Also, those same workers got double pay, giving them a whopping $5 an hour! Also, Ford helped develop the assembly line, in 1913. By the end of the year, his factory was building whole entire Model T’s on them. Another thing that makes Henry Ford so crucial to the business industry is that he largely contributed to making mass production possible. He established a factory where all of his raw materials

would be crafted into car parts, including glass, metals, and rubber. In 1918 Ford ran for the U.S. Senate, but he ended up losing his bid. While we know the father of the automobile, not many people know his life before Ford Motors. At the age of 16, Ford left his small family farm, for the big city of Detroit. It was there, that he worked in various mechanical shops. In 1891, Edison Illuminating Company contacted him asking for him to work as an engineer for their company. It was there, that Ford began thinking about designing an affordable car for the people.

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Pictures http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Gartman/D_Casestudy/Henry_Ford.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1920s_jazz_standards http://www.freewoodpost.com/2013/08/26/gop-repeal-the-19th-amendment-because-we-live-i

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