America 1920-1973 Overview

Overview of America (1920-1973)

Economic Boom and Bust

  • Economic Boom in the 1920s
    • Many experienced prosperity; however, others (especially African Americans and immigrants) remained in poverty.
    • Wealth concentrated: 32extextopenbullet32 ext{ extopenbullet} of money held by 5extextopenbullet5 ext{ extopenbullet} of population; 42extextopenbullet42 ext{ extopenbullet} lived in poverty.
    • Old Industries struggled with changes (e.g., coal, leather industries).
  • Wall Street Crash (1929)
    • Led to economic downturn, massive unemployment, and hardship.
    • Business and agricultural production fell significantly.

Cultural and Social Changes

  • Cinema and Jazz
    • Hollywood as significant cultural center; stars like Charlie Chaplin emerged.
    • Jazz popularized; 1920s termed the “Jazz Age.”
  • Changes for Women
    • Younger women (“flappers”) enjoyed more freedom.
    • Older and poorer women's lives relatively unchanged; continued facing traditional roles.

Inequalities and Tensions

  • Immigrant Experience:
    • Increased immigration led to job competition and tensions, particularly affecting Blacks and Mexicans.
  • Racial Tensions:
    • Continued discrimination against African Americans; sharecropping caused severe poverty.
    • KKK targeted African Americans, leading to numerous lynchings.
  • Red Scare:
    • Fear of communism post-WW1; led to suspicions toward Eastern European immigrants.
    • Sacco and Vanzetti case highlighted judicial bias against perceived anarchists.

Prohibition and Its Consequences

  • Prohibition Era (1919-1933):
    • Amendment banning alcohol; led to illegal clubs and bootlegging.
    • Resulted in organized crime; violence increased dramatically (e.g., St Valentine’s Day Massacre).

Hoover’s Response and New Deal

  • Hoover's Limitations (1929-1932):
    • Claimed prosperity was near despite worsening economy; resisted direct government intervention.
  • New Deal Vision (Roosevelt):
    • Active government involvement to improve life.
    • Established programs like FERA, CCC, AAA, and NIRA for economic recovery.

Civil Rights Developments (1950s-60s)

  • Major Causes of Movement:
    • Jim Crow laws perpetuated segregation and discrimination.
    • WWII veterans demanded respect upon return; Emmett Till's lynching highlighted brutality.
  • Key Campaigns:
    • Montgomery Bus Boycott led to desegregation of buses.
    • March on Washington (1963) for civil rights, featuring MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech.
  • Rise of Black Power:
    • Malcolm X advocated for possible violence; Black Panthers formed.

Changes in Women’s Rights

  • Feminism Growth:
    • 1963: Betty Friedan's book sparked debate on women's roles.
    • National Organization for Women (NOW) formed in 1966.
    • Key Events:
    • 1963 Equal Pay Act; legalization of abortion (Roe vs. Wade, 1973).
  • Opposition to Equal Rights Amendment:
    • Some women disagreed; diverse viewpoints on feminism arose.

Conclusion

  • Post-war Era:
    • The 'American Dream' grew; economic prosperity but ongoing challenges for minorities.
  • McCarthyism:
    • Fear of communism led to significant societal repercussions, impacting various sectors from politics to arts.