Chapter 22: The Roaring Twenties

1920s

A decade known as the Roaring Twenties, Jazz Age, Age of the Flapper, Prosperity Decade, and New Era, characterized by economic growth, social changes, and cultural shifts

Economic Boom

A period of economic recovery and prosperity in the 1920s, marked by mass consumption, although farmers faced depression

Republican White House (1921-1933)

Policies under Republican administrations including high protective tariffs, reduced taxes, and suppression of socialist and anarchist groups

“Return to Normalcy”

In 1920, US attempted to recover from WWI, pandemic, strikes, Ther Red Scare due to Russian Revolution, economic depression. Warren G. Harding (Republican) won in a landslide with the slogan "Return to Normalcy."

Teapot Dome Scandal

Corruption scandal during Harding's presidency involving leasing federal land in Wyoming to private oil companies for money

Activism for Women in the 20s

Efforts including prohibition (1919 - 18th Amendment), right to vote (1920 - 19th Amendment), infant mortality reduction, education aid, and the Equal Rights Amendment

Calvin Coolidge

Succeeded Harding after his death (heart attack in 1923), continued Harding’s policies, and distanced himself from scandals by firing officials from Harding’s administration

Kellogg-Briand Pact

Agreement among 15 nations to outlaw war, though ultimately would fail

Election of 1928

In 1920 Republicans held the presidency and Congress. Coolidge declined to run in 1928 and Hoover would win the election, securing Republican control

Department Stores

Emergence of large stores offering various goods (kitchen supplies, clothes, toys, etc.) in one place, changing shopping habits with the Marshall Field and Company being the most popular in 1852

Automobiles

The popularization of cars and increased the use of credit, with 60% of cars bought on credit by 1927. This trend extended to other big purchases like household appliances, leading to a 120% rise in spending from 1919 to 1929

Henry Ford’s Assembly Line

Revolutionized car production, making a Model-T every 10 seconds, with the U.S. owning more cars than Britain, Germany, France, and Italy combined. 80% of cars were driven on American roads

Indianapolis 500

Motorcycle race event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, growing in popularity in the 1920s

Film Industry

Movie production became costly, leading to industry control by a few major companies like Warner Brothers, Universal, Paramount, Columbia, and MGM, many of which were founded or led by Jewish executives.

Disney

Establishment of The Walt Disney Company and creation of iconic character Mickey Mouse

Radio

In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first transatlantic radio message. Later, radios increased in popularization of radios in homes, sponsored programs, and spreaded American culture.

Mary Pickford

Iconic wealthy actress who would popularized the flapper and was known as “America’s Sweetheart”

Babe Ruth

Baseball legend known as the “Sultan of Swat” who saved Major League Baseball and became an American hero following World War I

Charles Lindbergh

Aviator who made the first solo transatlantic flight in 1927 (“Hero of the decade’)

Coney Island

Famous amusement park in New York, a popular entertainment spot in the 1920s

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel capturing the essence of the Roaring Twenties

Speakeasies (Blind pigs/tigers)

Illegal bars during Prohibition, fostering integration and often run by organized crime organizations

Al Capone

Notorious mob boss involved in bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, and organized crime.

Flapper

Young women of the 1920s known for their modern attitudes and behaviors (drinking, smoking, had casual sex, wore makeup, etc.)

Harlem Renaissance

Cultural and intellectual movement celebrating Black American arts and culture in Harlem

Jazz

Music genre originating in African American communities (New Orleans)

Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

Organization founded by Marcus Garvey promoting Black nationalism and unity. Would start the Black Star Line (passenger ships that was Black-owned, Black-staffed, and would only carry Black people between the Americas and Africa)

The Fundamentals

Series of essays defending religious conservatism against liberalism

Scopes Trial

Legal case involving the teaching of evolution in schools, highlighting the clash between science and religion

Rebirth of the KKK

Resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, spreading across the United States and endorsing political candidates