The Roaring Twenties & Early Great Depression

The early 20th century, particularly the 1920s, marked a significant economic boom in the United States that transformed the nation.
Key Factors Contributing to the Economic Boom:
- Henry Ford's Assembly Line:
- Revolutionized manufacturing processes, leading to mass production.
- Improved efficiency and lowered costs allowed more Americans to afford automobiles and other goods.
- Installment Credit:
- Allowed consumers to purchase goods through payment plans rather than paying in full, increasing consumer spending and stimulating the economy.

Cultural Resistance:
- A noticeable tension arose between traditional values and modern cultural developments.
Jazz Culture:
- Jazz music, originating from African American communities, became widely popular and symbolized the cultural change of the era.
Changing Gender Roles:
- The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, reflecting a shift in societal roles.
- Women began to challenge traditional gender roles, asserting independence through voting and employment.
- Margaret Sanger:
- A key figure advocating for birth control and women's reproductive rights, contributing to changing societal norms around family planning.

Harlem Renaissance:
- A cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s.
- Celebrated African American culture through literature, music (jazz), and art.
Scopes Monkey Trial (1925):
- A landmark legal case in Tennessee where high school teacher John T. Scopes was tried for teaching evolution in violation of the Butler Act.
- Conflicting Ideologies:
- The case highlighted a clash between modern, scientific thought and traditional, fundamentalist beliefs.
- Fundamentalist Christians opposed the teaching of evolution, adhering instead to a literal interpretation of the Bible.