7.7-7.8

Social Darwinism was used to justify the exploitation of labor, including child labor, by suggesting that the strong (in this case, industrialists) were naturally superior and that the weak (including children and laborers) were meant to endure hardships.During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, middle-class women were key figures in the Progressive Era reforms, including the fight against child labor. They often led campaigns through organizations such as the National Consumers League and the Women's Trade Union League, advocating for better labor laws, especially for children and women working in factories.

US Economy & Standard of Living (1922-1928):

The US experienced economic prosperity, with improved living standards for many Americans. Indoor plumbing and central heating became widespread.

64% Increase in Manufacturing (1919-1929):

Manufacturing rose due to scientific management, mass production techniques (like Ford's assembly line), and increased worker productivity.

Energy Changes in the 1920s

Oil and electricity usage surged, powering factories and fueling automobiles, while coal remained key for railroads and home heating.

Government Economic Policies

The government favored big business with tax cuts, minimal antitrust enforcement, and low interest rates, leading to an overheated economy.

A return to conservatism and limited government intervention under Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover.

Focus shifted away from progressive reforms to pro-business policies, like lower taxes and reduced regulation.

The period was marked by isolationism in foreign policy and reduced focus on social welfare reforms.

Consumer Economy Expansion

Homes gained electricity, driving demand for appliances like refrigerators. Automobiles became affordable, and credit fueled consumer purchases.

Impact of Automobiles:

Cars transformed daily life—commuting, travel, shopping, and dating. Industries like steel and rubber thrived, but traffic and accidents increased.

Farmers' Struggles:

Farmers did not share in the 1920s’ prosperity. Post-war overproduction caused falling prices, leaving many with heavy debt.

Unions' Decline:

Unions lost ground as companies pushed for open shops and offered benefits to discourage unionization. Violent resistance to union efforts was common.

Biggest Media Innovation:

The radio revolutionized communication, and by 1930, millions of Americans tuned in to hear news and entertainment. The movie industry also flourished.

Tensions Over Innovations:

Technological advances sparked cultural conflicts over immigration, Prohibition, and religion, particularly between modernism and fundamentalism.

• Modernism: believed they could accept Darwin of evolution without abandoning their religious faith.

• Fundamentalism: protestant preachers, mostly in rural areas, condemned the modernist and taught creationism (the belief that God had created the universe in seven days, as stated in the Bible) to explain the origin of all life.

Scopes Trial:

• HS teacher John T. Scopes was accused of violating Tennessee’s Butler Act: made it unlawful 2 teach evolution in schools

• Scopes was found guilty but verdict was overturned

• The trial highlighted the clash between religious fundamentalists and modernists over teaching evolution in schools, symbolizing broader cultural divides.

Prohibition:

• The 18th Amendment failed to stop alcohol consumption, leading to widespread defiance and bootlegging, (smuggling from Canada or made) as well as corruption among officials to look the other way.

• Repealed in 21st century showing failure of progressive movement = ended prohibition

Immigration Reaction:

• Post-WWI immigration surged, arousing nativist fears, leading to restrictive quota laws to limit Catholic and Jewish immigrants from Europe.

Sacco and Vanzetti Trial:

• Were convicted in a Massachusetts court of committing robbery and murder w/o trial

• The trial exemplified anti-immigrant bias, as two Italian anarchists were executed amid claims of an unfair trial.

KKK Resurgence:

• The KKK became popular due to the silent film birth of a nation, which portrayed the KKK during reconstruction as a heroes, and the white backlash to the race rights of 1919.

• The clan used modern advertising techniques to grow to 5 million members by 1925.

• Burned crosses and apply vigilante justice, punishing their victims, with whips, tar, and feathers, and lynching AAs

The Lost Generation:

• A deep disillusionment with traditional values and a sense of alienation from post-World War I society, stemming from the trauma and devastation of the war

• The generation was “lost” in the sense that its inherited values were no longer relevant in the postwar world

George Gershiwn

• Composer and the son of Russian – Jewish immigrants, who blended jazz and classical music in his symphonic Rhapsody in Blue and the folk opera Porgy and Bess. Jewish immigrants played a major role in the development of American musical theatre during this era

• It proved a radical departure in musical storytelling with a serious treatment of prejudice and race.

Sexual Norms:

• Young people challenged sexual taboos, influenced by Freud’s writings, new dance trends promoted promiscuity, while birth control gained more acceptance bc of Margaret Sanger despite legal restrictions.

Harlem Renaissance:

• A cultural explosion in Harlem celebrated African American achievements in arts and literature, with a focus on racial pride and black nationalism.

Teapot Dome Scandal:

• In 1924, Congress discovered that Fall had accepted bribes for granting oil leases near Teapot Dome, Wyoming = CORRUPTION

Republican Policies of the 1920s:

• Republican policies of the 1920s, under Presidents Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover, were characterized by pro-business, limited government intervention, and economic conservatism.