Unit VIII – Boom Unit VIII – Boom Times and Times and

Challenges Challenges (1919-1945)(1919-1945)

Chapter 24 Section 2Chapter 24 Section 2

Life during the 1920’sLife during the 1920’s

Main Idea 1:Main Idea 1:In the 1920s many young people found new In the 1920s many young people found new

independence in a changing society.independence in a changing society.• After the war, many young people moved to

cities.– By 1920 more than half of the country’s population lived in

urban areas.

– Took advantage of 1920s economic boom to gain independence

– New youth culture developed

• Access to education grew.– High school attendance doubled in 1920s.

– More attended colleges and universities.

• Women also found new opportunities.– Number of women in workforce continued to grow.

– New roles in politics

– Some women, known as flappers, openly challenged traditional ideas of how women were supposed to behave.

Effects of UrbanizationEffects of Urbanization

• Though the 1920s was a time of great economic opportunities for many, farmers did not share in the prosperity.

• Farming took a hard hit after World War I, when demand for products went down and many workers moved to industrialized cities.

• The 1920 census showed that for the first time ever, more Americans lived in cities than in rural areas, and three-fourths of all workers worked somewhere other than a farm.

• The rise of the automobile helped bring the cities and the country together, and rural people were now likely to spend time in town and were less isolated.

• Education also increased, and by the 1920s many states passed laws requiring children to attend school, helping force children out of workplaces. Compulsory School AttendanceCompulsory School Attendance

School attendance and enrollment increased as industry grew because more people could afford to send their children to school, not to work.

The FlapperThe Flapper

Other Women

• In much of the U.S., women only read about flappers in magazines, and many disapproved of flappers or wouldn’t dare to be so reckless.

• Some older women’s rights reformers thought flappers were only interested in fun.

• Many did not take flappers seriously.

One popular image that reflects changes for women in the Roaring Twenties was the flapperflapper, a young woman of the era who defied traditional ideas of proper dress and behavior.

Flappers

• Flappers shocked society by cutting their hair, raising hemlines, wearing makeup, smoking, drinking, and dancing.

• The dress style was popular among young, rebellious girls.

• .The term flapper suggested an independent, free lifestyleindependent, free lifestyle.

• Flappers mostly lived in cities, though rural people read about them in magazines.

The flapper craze took hold mainly in American citiesflapper craze took hold mainly in American cities, but in many ways the flappers represented the rift between cities and rural areas.

FlappersFlappers• The The flapper was "modern." ."

• Lively and full of energy, she was single but Lively and full of energy, she was single but eligible. eligible.

• With short hair and a short skirt, with With short hair and a short skirt, with turned-down hose and powdered knees - the turned-down hose and powdered knees - the flapper must have seemed to her mother flapper must have seemed to her mother (the gentle Gibson girl of an earlier (the gentle Gibson girl of an earlier generation) like a rebel. generation) like a rebel.

• No longer confined to home and tradition, No longer confined to home and tradition, the typical flapper was a young women who the typical flapper was a young women who was often thought of as a little fast and was often thought of as a little fast and maybe even a little brazenmaybe even a little brazen

• These young women further blurred the These young women further blurred the boundaries between respectable and boundaries between respectable and depraved by their public activities; depraved by their public activities; swearing, smoking cigarettes, drinking swearing, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, dancing, and dating were among alcohol, dancing, and dating were among her pastimes. her pastimes.

A Changing SocietyA Changing Society• RecallRecall – What did many soldiers – What did many soldiers

returning from the war in Europe returning from the war in Europe hope to continue doing when they got hope to continue doing when they got home?home?

• IdentifyIdentify – What historical change – What historical change happened to the nation’s population happened to the nation’s population for the first time?for the first time?

• ContrastContrast – How was life different for – How was life different for young people before they married?young people before they married?

• EvaluateEvaluate – What do you think about – What do you think about women being elected to political women being elected to political office when others were excluded office when others were excluded from professional fields?from professional fields?

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:Postwar tensions occasionally led to fear and violence.Postwar tensions occasionally led to fear and violence.

• Negative attitudes toward CommunistsNegative attitudes toward Communists grew in the 1920s.– After Communists took power in Russia in 1917, Americans

worried that they would soon try to gain power in the United States.

– Many Americans blamed Communists and radicals for labor strikes and other problems.

• Attitudes led to a Red ScareRed Scare, a time of fear of Communists, or Reds.

• Communists were held responsible for bombings Communists were held responsible for bombings and killingsand killings.– Bombs were found in postal packages addressed to famous

Americans and Communists were held responsible.

– Political official’s home was bombed and police raids were organized to break up Communist and radical groups.

– Italian anarchists, Sacco and Vanzetti, were convicted Italian anarchists, Sacco and Vanzetti, were convicted and executed for the robbery and murderand executed for the robbery and murder of a factory paymaster and his guard.

Sacco and VanzettiSacco and Vanzetti• In the late 1920s a court case in Massachusetts proved

nativist and anti-radical feelings.• Two men named Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti

were arrested for armed robbery and murderwere arrested for armed robbery and murder.• The two men were Italian immigrants and also proclaimed Italian immigrants and also proclaimed

anarchistsanarchists, or radicals who seek the destruction of government.

• The evidenceevidence against the two men was weakweak, but it was apparent that the two were on trial for their beliefs as much as for the crimes.

• Amid great publicity and protests in Europe and South America as well as in the U.S., the two men were convicted and sentenced to death.

• Their 1927 executions were highly controversialexecutions were highly controversial, but by then the nation had largely recovered from the Red Scare and the turmoil of the postwar years.

Sacco and Vanzetti• Two Italian immigrants, who became Two Italian immigrants, who became

unwilling martyrs for the struggle of unwilling martyrs for the struggle of equal justice for all.equal justice for all.

• Arrested for a hold up at a shoe Arrested for a hold up at a shoe factory in which one person was factory in which one person was killed.killed.

• They had no criminal record but They had no criminal record but were anarchists.were anarchists.

• Tried, found guilty and sentenced to Tried, found guilty and sentenced to die with real hard evidence.die with real hard evidence.

• Were they victims of fear and Were they victims of fear and prejudice?prejudice?

• What happened to the $16,000? Who What happened to the $16,000? Who were the other three criminals? How were the other three criminals? How can one explain the variety of bullets can one explain the variety of bullets taken from the victims that do not taken from the victims that do not match Sacco's gun? Why did the match Sacco's gun? Why did the accused show no change in their accused show no change in their behavior? Why were the members of behavior? Why were the members of the Morelli gang not questioned?the Morelli gang not questioned?

Restricting ImmigrationRestricting Immigration

• Concerns about immigrationimmigration– Some Americans believed there was a general fear of fear of

foreigners.foreigners.

– Many recent immigrants were poor and did not speak English.

– Some Americans saw immigrants as a threat to jobs and immigrants as a threat to jobs and culture.culture.

• Government responded to these concerns with new laws.– Emergency Quota Act of 1921Emergency Quota Act of 1921 limited total number of

immigrants allowed into the country.

– National Origins Act of 1924National Origins Act of 1924 banned immigration from East Asia entirely and reduced the number of immigrants allowed into the country.

• Drastic drop in immigration to the United States

Fear and ViolenceFear and Violence• IdentifyIdentify – What two types of – What two types of

people were treated with people were treated with suspicion?suspicion?

• RecallRecall – What were Sacco and – What were Sacco and Vanzetti accused of having Vanzetti accused of having done?done?

• EvaluateEvaluate – What are some – What are some possible reasons for Americans’ possible reasons for Americans’ fear of foreigners at the time?fear of foreigners at the time?

ProhibitionProhibition

Religious Ideals

• The Eighteenth AmendmentThe Eighteenth Amendment outlawed the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages.

–Difficult to enforce

–Many broke the law.

–Law reduced consumption, but did not stop Americans from drinking.

–Support strongest in rural areas

–Opposition strongest in cities

• By the end of the 1920s, the nation was weary of the effects of prohibition.

–Believed that it would be better to have a legal alcohol trade with

government monitoring

• The Twenty-first AmendmentTwenty-first Amendment was passed in 1933, which ended prohibition.

Main Idea 3:Main Idea 3:Competing ideals caused conflict between Americans with Competing ideals caused conflict between Americans with

traditional beliefs and those with modern views.traditional beliefs and those with modern views.

ProhibitionProhibition• Throughout U.S. history, groups like the Woman’s Christian

Temperance Union worked to outlaw alcohol, but the drive strengthened in the early 1900s, as Progressives joined the effort.

• Over the years, a number of states passed anti-alcohol laws, and World War I helped the cause when grain and grapes, which most alcohol is made from, needed to feed troops.

• The fight against alcohol also used bias against immigrants to fuel their cause by portraying immigrant groups as alcoholics.

• Protestant religious groups and fundamentalists also favored a liquor ban because they thought alcohol contributed to society’s evils and sins, especially in cities.

• By 1917 more than half the states had passed a law restricting alcohol.

The Eighteenth Amendment banning alcohol was proposed in The Eighteenth Amendment banning alcohol was proposed in 1917 and ratified in 1919. The Volstead Act enforced the 1917 and ratified in 1919. The Volstead Act enforced the amendment.amendment.

Prohibition in PracticeProhibition in Practice• Enforcing the new Prohibition law proved to be virtually Enforcing the new Prohibition law proved to be virtually

impossibleimpossible, as making, transporting, and selling alcohol was illegal, but drinking it was not.

• Prohibition gave rise to huge smuggling operationshuge smuggling operations, as alcohol slipped into the country through states like Michigan on the Canadian border.

• Newspapers followed the hunt for bootleggersbootleggers, or liquor smugglers, but government officials estimated that in 1925 they caught only 5 percent of all the illegal liquor entering the country.

• Many people also made their own liquor using homemade homemade equipment, and others got alcohol from doctors, who could prescribe it as medicine.

• The illegal liquor business was the foundation of great criminal great criminal empiresempires, like Chicago gangster Al Capone’sAl Capone’s crew, who smashed competition, then frightened and bribed police and officials.

• 3,000 Prohibition agents nationwide worked to shut down speakeasiesspeakeasies, or illegal bars, and to capture illegal liquor and stop gangsters.

• Millions of Americans violated the lawsMillions of Americans violated the laws, but it would be many years before Prohibition came to an end.

ProhibitionProhibition• Prohibition in the United

States was a measure designed to reduce drinking by eliminating the businesses that manufactured, distributed, and sold alcoholic beverages.

• The Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took away license to do business from the brewers, distillers, vintners, and the wholesale and retail sellers of alcoholic beverages.

SpeakeasiesSpeakeasies• Speakeasies were actually illegal

"nightclubs." They were created during the 20's when prohibition was lurking about and alcohol was ruled illegal.

• They were usually opened late at night and served a playing field for the rebels that wanted to dance the night away and drink alcohol.

• They would usually have code words for people to get into and would be run by the local cop on the street.

• The Cotton Club in Harlem, New York was the most famous of these speakeasies.

• They were a place where the prosperous could party, local cops could make a little extra cash.

• In the speakeasies, discrimination was a problem.

• Al Capone, notorious gangster, was the first person to open up soup kitchens after the 1929 stock market crash and he ordered merchants to give clothes and food to the needy, which he paid for himself.

Prohibition - ProblemsProhibition - ProblemsåAlcohol became more dangerous to Alcohol became more dangerous to consume; crime increased and consume; crime increased and became "organized"; the court and became "organized"; the court and prison systems were stretched to the prison systems were stretched to the breaking point; and corruption of breaking point; and corruption of public officials was rampant. public officials was rampant.

åNo measurable gains were made in No measurable gains were made in productivity or reduced absenteeism. productivity or reduced absenteeism.

åProhibition removed a significant Prohibition removed a significant source of tax revenue and greatly source of tax revenue and greatly increased government spending. increased government spending.

åIt led many drinkers to switch to It led many drinkers to switch to opium, marijuana, patent medicines, opium, marijuana, patent medicines, cocaine, and other dangerous cocaine, and other dangerous substances that they would have been substances that they would have been unlikely to encounter in the absence unlikely to encounter in the absence of Prohibition.of Prohibition.

St. Valentines Day Massacre

Eliot Ness

FundamentalismFundamentalism

Religious IdealsReligious Ideals

• Religious leaders were concerned abut the youth culture and the failure of prohibition in the 1920s.– Wanted to return to traditional valuestraditional values

• Led to a movement of fundamentalism– characterized by the belief in a literal, or word-for-word, literal, or word-for-word, interpretation of the Bibleinterpretation of the Bible– Used the radio and modern marketing toolsradio and modern marketing tools to draw

followers

– Strong in rural areas and small townsStrong in rural areas and small towns

– Believed that modern scientific theories conflicted with teachings of the Bible

– Opposed the teaching of evolutionOpposed the teaching of evolution in public schools

– LawsLaws were passed in many states and cities to prevent the teaching of evolution.

The Rise of FundamentalismThe Rise of FundamentalismBilly SundayBilly Sunday

• Changing times caused uncertainty, turning many to religion for answers.

• One key religious figure of the time was former ballplayer and ordained minister Billy Sunday.

• Sunday condemned radicals and criticized the changing attitudes of women, reflecting much of white, rural America’s ideals.

• Sunday’s Christian beliefs were based on a literal translation of the Bible called fundamentalism.

Aimee Semple McPhersonAimee Semple McPherson

• Another leading fundamentalist preacher of the time

• Seemed to embrace the kind of glamour that other fundamentalists warned about

• Her religion, however, was purely fundamentalist.

• She was especially well known for healing the sick through prayer.

The Scopes TrialThe Scopes Trial• Charles Darwin’s theory of evolutionDarwin’s theory of evolution holds that inherited characteristics of a

population change over generations, which sometimes results in the rise of a new species.

– According to Darwin, the human species may have evolved from an ape-like species that lived long ago.

– Fundamentalists think this theory is against the biblical accountFundamentalists think this theory is against the biblical account of how God created humans and that teaching evolution undermine religious faith.

• Fundamentalists worked to pass laws preventing evolution being taught in schools, and several states did, including Tennessee in 1925.

• One group in Tennessee persuaded a young science teacher named John Scopes to violate the law, get arrested, and go to trial.

• Scopes trial in 1925Scopes trial in 1925– Tennessee teacher John T. Scopes put on trial for teaching evolution

– Scopes convicted and fined $100 for breaking the law

– State supreme court later overturned conviction.

• Scopes was represented by Clarence Darrow, and William Jennings Bryan, three-Scopes was represented by Clarence Darrow, and William Jennings Bryan, three-time candidate for president, represented the prosecution.time candidate for president, represented the prosecution.

• John Scopes was obviously guiltyJohn Scopes was obviously guilty, but the trial was about larger issues.

– Scopes was convicted and fined $100, but Darrow never got a chance to appeal because the conviction was overturned due to a technical violation by the judge.

– The Tennessee law remained in place until the 1960s.

Scopes TrialScopes Trial• The world's attention was riveted on Dayton, The world's attention was riveted on Dayton,

Tennessee, during July, 1925. At issue was the Tennessee, during July, 1925. At issue was the constitutionality of the "Butler Law," which constitutionality of the "Butler Law," which prohibited the teaching of evolution in the prohibited the teaching of evolution in the classroom. Oklahoma, Florida, Mississippi, classroom. Oklahoma, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina and Kentucky already had such North Carolina and Kentucky already had such laws. laws.

• The ACLU hoped to use the Scopes case to test The ACLU hoped to use the Scopes case to test (and defeat)Fundamentalist meddling in (and defeat)Fundamentalist meddling in politics. politics.

• Judge John Raulston began the trial by reading Judge John Raulston began the trial by reading the first 27 verses of Genesis.the first 27 verses of Genesis.

• Clarence Darrow said: "Science gets to the end Clarence Darrow said: "Science gets to the end of its knowledge and, in effect, says, 'I do not of its knowledge and, in effect, says, 'I do not know what I do not know,' and keeps on know what I do not know,' and keeps on searching. Religion gets to the end of its searching. Religion gets to the end of its knowledge, and in effect, says, 'I know what I do knowledge, and in effect, says, 'I know what I do not know,' and stops searching. not know,' and stops searching.

Darrow Bryan

Competing IdealsCompeting Ideals• IntepretIntepret – Americans from which two – Americans from which two

areas clashed over ideals and values?areas clashed over ideals and values?• RecallRecall – How did Al Capone gain – How did Al Capone gain

control of the alcohol trade?control of the alcohol trade?• SummarizeSummarize – For what reasons did – For what reasons did

many people believe it would be many people believe it would be better to have legal alcohol trade?better to have legal alcohol trade?

• DevelopDevelop – In what ways do you think – In what ways do you think rural and urban Americans differ rural and urban Americans differ today?today?

Competing IdealsCompeting Ideals• IdentifyIdentify – What theory was – What theory was

developed by Charles Darwin?developed by Charles Darwin?• RecallRecall – What preacher used – What preacher used

radio and modern marketing to radio and modern marketing to draw followers to her beliefs?draw followers to her beliefs?

• RateRate – Do you think the Scopes – Do you think the Scopes Trial was concluded fairly?Trial was concluded fairly?

Main Idea 4:Main Idea 4:Following the war, minority groups organized to Following the war, minority groups organized to

demand their civil rights.demand their civil rights.

• Great MigrationGreat Migration– large numbers of African Americans left South to take jobs in northern factories after the war and through the 1920s.

• Some white laborers feared competition for jobs.– Race riotsRace riots broke out.

• Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan gained more strength. – Harassed African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and

immigrants

– Worked against urbanization, women’s rights, and modern technology

– Became influential in politics

– More than 5 million members

The Great MigrationThe Great Migration

• Beginning around 1910, Harlem, New York1910, Harlem, New York, became a favorite destination for black Americans migrating from the South.

• Southern life was difficult for African Americans, many of whom worked as sharecroppers or in other low-paying jobs and often faced racial violence.

• Many African Americans looked to the North to find Many African Americans looked to the North to find freedom and economic opportunitiesfreedom and economic opportunities, and during World War I the demand for equipment and supplies offered African Americans factory jobs in the North.

• African American newspapers spread the word of opportunities in northern cities, and African Americans streamed into cities such as Chicago and Detroit.

• This major relocation of African Americans is known as the Great Migration.

African Americans after World War IAfrican Americans after World War I

Tensions

• Many found opportunities in the North but also racism.

• Racial tensions were especially severe after World War I, when a shortage of jobs created a rift between whites and African American workers.

• This tension created a wave of racial violence in the summer of 1919.

• The deadliest riot occurred in Chicago, Illinois, when a dispute at a public beach led to rioting that left 38 people dead and nearly 300 injured.

• Racially motivated riots occurred in about two dozen other cities in 1919.

Raised Expectations

• Another factor that added to racial tensions was the changing expectations of African Americans.

• Many believed they had earned greater freedom for helping fight for freedom overseas in World War I.

• Unfortunately, not everyone agreed that their war service had earned them greater freedom.

• In fact, some whites were determined to strike back against the new African American attitudes.

KKKKKK

• The name was constructed The name was constructed by combining theby combining the Greek Greek "kuklos" (circle) with "kuklos" (circle) with "clan.""clan." It was at first a It was at first a humorous social club humorous social club centering on practical jokes centering on practical jokes and hazing rituals but soon and hazing rituals but soon spread into nearly every spread into nearly every Southern state, launching aSouthern state, launching a ""reign of terror" against Republican leaders both black and white.

KKKKKK

• The second Ku Klux Klan (KKK) sought to The second Ku Klux Klan (KKK) sought to reverse the changes in gender and sexual norms. reverse the changes in gender and sexual norms.

• The KKK worked to elevate white Protestant The KKK worked to elevate white Protestant men and women while blaming the demise of men and women while blaming the demise of America's moral standards on Catholics, Jews, America's moral standards on Catholics, Jews, and people of color. "pure Americanism." and people of color. "pure Americanism."

• As a result of pressure from western states and As a result of pressure from western states and nativist organizations, the federal government nativist organizations, the federal government enacted laws that specifically targeted Asian enacted laws that specifically targeted Asian immigrants, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act in immigrants, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 and the "Gentlemen's Agreement" with 1882 and the "Gentlemen's Agreement" with Japan in 1907. Literacy Tests. Immigration Act Japan in 1907. Literacy Tests. Immigration Act of 1924 (Quotas)of 1924 (Quotas)

• KKK hatred of Blacks, Jews, Catholics, Flappers KKK hatred of Blacks, Jews, Catholics, Flappers and Immigrants. It established one of the largest and Immigrants. It established one of the largest social movements of the 20th century, enrolling social movements of the 20th century, enrolling nearly five million of ordinary, "respectable," nearly five million of ordinary, "respectable," middle-class Americansmiddle-class Americans

Protecting RightsProtecting Rights• African Americans began working to protect their

rights.– The NAACP NAACP placed advertisements in newspapers

presenting harsh facts about lynchings in the South.

– Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey encouraged black people to express pride in their culture and establish economic independence.

– Black nationalism movementBlack nationalism movement took root.

• Hispanic Americans organized to fight prejudice and promote civil rights– Formed the League of United Latin American Citizens United Latin American Citizens

in 1929in 1929

• Native Americans fought to establish their rights.– In 19241924 Congress passed the Indian Citizenship ActIndian Citizenship Act,

granting citizenship to all Native Americans.

– Successfully prevented the federal government from taking back reservation lands

Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Du BoisMarcus Garvey and W.E.B. Du Bois

Conflict with Du Bois

• Garvey thought the NAACP discouraged African American self-confidence, and that their goal of breaking down barriers between races threatened African racial purity.

• Du Bois and the NAACP were suspicious of UNIA too, and The Crisis published an investigation of UNIA.

• The FBI charged UNIA with mail fraud, and UNIA collapsed when Garvey Garvey went to prison and then went to prison and then left the country upon left the country upon release.release.

Another famous figure of the era was Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican-born American who took pride in his African heritage.

Garvey’s Rise

• Formed the Universal Negro Universal Negro Improvement Association Improvement Association (UNIA),(UNIA), which promoted self-reliance for African Americans without white involvement.

• Garvey wanted American blacks to go back to Africago back to Africa to create a new empire.

• Garvey wanted African Americans to have economic success. His Black Star LineBlack Star Line promoted trade among Africans around the world.

• About 2 million mostly poor African Americans joined UNIA.

Minority RightsMinority Rights• IdentifyIdentify – What did African Americans – What did African Americans

hope to escape by coming north?hope to escape by coming north?• RecallRecall – How did Marcus Garvey think – How did Marcus Garvey think

black people should establish their black people should establish their independence?independence?

• Make InferencesMake Inferences – Based on the – Based on the activities of the Ku Klux Klan, what activities of the Ku Klux Klan, what sort of people might their members sort of people might their members have been? Why do you think so?have been? Why do you think so?

• PredictPredict – Do you think the League of – Do you think the League of United Latin American Citizens has United Latin American Citizens has been successful in achieving its been successful in achieving its goals?goals?

Minority RightsMinority Rights• RecallRecall – Which group was – Which group was

granted citizenship in 1924?granted citizenship in 1924?• ExplainExplain – Why do you think some – Why do you think some

black leaders were opposed to black leaders were opposed to Garvey’s ideas?Garvey’s ideas?

• Identify Cause and EffectIdentify Cause and Effect – What – What helped bring about Native helped bring about Native American citizenship?American citizenship?

Jazz Age – 5:18 minJazz Age – 5:18 min..

Scopes Monkey Trial: Teaching Creationism or Evolution in Scopes Monkey Trial: Teaching Creationism or Evolution in School (02:56)School (02:56)

Prohibition and Gangsters-Prohibition and Gangsters- 4:31 min4:31 min..

The Rise of Prohibition -4:31The Rise of Prohibition -4:31

Changing the Shape of American Organized Crime: Al Capone Changing the Shape of American Organized Crime: Al Capone and Prohibition and Prohibition   (04:52  (04:52))

Capone Begins Long Jail Term Capone Begins Long Jail Term (00:47)(00:47)