1920s US History: Industry, Culture, and Key Events

A. Philip Randolph

An American labor leader and civil rights activist who founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and was a key figure in the fight for workers' rights and racial equality.

Henry Ford

An American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company, known for revolutionizing the automobile industry with mass production techniques.

Henry Ford's impact on working class

Ford's introduction of the assembly line and higher wages improved living standards for the working class and made automobiles affordable.

Growth of the auto industry during the 1920s

The automobile industry expanded rapidly, becoming a major part of the economy, leading to increased production, sales, and job creation.

Frederick Taylor and scientific management

An American engineer who developed principles of scientific management to improve industrial efficiency and productivity.

Assembly line and its effect on costs

The assembly line reduced production costs by speeding up manufacturing processes and increasing efficiency, making products cheaper for consumers.

Growth of roads

The expansion of road networks facilitated automobile travel and commerce, contributing to the rise of the automobile culture in America.

Auto-tourism

The practice of traveling by car for leisure, which became popular in the 1920s as more Americans owned automobiles.

Cars and impact on family life

Cars provided families with greater mobility, allowing for more leisure activities, travel, and changes in social dynamics.

Alfred Sloan and impact on auto industry

As president of General Motors, Sloan introduced concepts like brand differentiation and annual model changes, shaping modern marketing strategies.

Planned obsolescence

A business strategy where products are designed to have a limited lifespan, encouraging consumers to purchase newer models frequently.

Increase in advertising in 1920s

Advertising grew significantly in the 1920s, using new media and techniques to promote consumer goods and influence public perception.

Growth of retail in 1920s

Retail expanded with the rise of department stores and mail-order catalogs, making goods more accessible to the public.

18th and 21st amendments

The 18th Amendment established Prohibition in 1920, banning alcohol, while the 21st Amendment repealed it in 1933.

Al Capone

A notorious gangster during Prohibition, known for his involvement in organized crime and bootlegging in Chicago.

Prohibition

A nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933.

Eliot Ness and the Untouchables

A federal agent known for leading a team called the Untouchables, which fought against organized crime during Prohibition.

The flappers

Young women in the 1920s who challenged traditional norms of behavior and fashion, symbolizing the cultural changes of the era.

How radio and movies changed in the 1920s

The 1920s saw the rise of radio and the introduction of sound in movies, transforming entertainment and communication.

Impact of celebrities on America

Celebrities emerged as influential figures in American culture, shaping public opinion and consumer behavior through media.

Why sports grew in 1920s

Increased leisure time and disposable income led to a rise in spectator sports, with figures like Babe Ruth becoming national icons.

Babe Ruth, Jim Thorpe, Red Grange

Famous athletes of the 1920s who became cultural icons, representing the growing popularity of sports in American society.

Charles Lindbergh

An American aviator who became famous for making the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927.

Amelia Earhart

An American aviation pioneer and author, known for being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Scopes Trial

A 1925 legal case in Tennessee that debated the teaching of evolution in schools, highlighting the conflict between science and religion.

Origination of Jazz

Jazz originated in the early 20th century in New Orleans, blending African American musical traditions with European influences.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem, celebrating African American art, literature, and music.

Earnest Hemingway/Lost Generation

Hemingway was a prominent author of the Lost Generation, a group of writers disillusioned by World War I and critical of mainstream American values.

Lost Generation

A term used to describe a group of American writers in the 1920s who felt disconnected from the values of society after World War I.

Factors contributing to the 1929 Stock Market Crash

Factors included excessive speculation, over-leveraging by investors, and a lack of regulation, leading to a market collapse.