Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24 The Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation, 1919-1929
Figure 24.1: Illustrations for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tales of the Jazz Age, drawn by John Held, Jr., epitomizing the carefree flapper era of the 1920s.
Chapter Outline
24.1 Prosperity and the Production of Popular Entertainment
24.2 Transformation and Backlash
24.3 A New Generation
24.4 Republican Ascendancy: Politics in the 1920s
Introduction
Following the hardships of the immediate postwar era, the United States embarked on one of the most prosperous decades in history (1919-1929).
Mass production, especially of automobiles, significantly increased mobility and fostered new industries.
Unemployment rates plummeted as businesses expanded to meet increased consumer demand.
According to the 1920 census, for the first time, a majority of the U.S. population lived in urban areas with 2,500 or more residents.
The urban evening scene was dominated by jazz music, movies, speakeasies, and new dances.
New immigrants, primarily from southern and eastern Europe and many of them Catholic, began to engage politically, challenging the rural Protestant fundamentalism of earlier generations.
The rise of the Ku Klux Klan was fueled by protests against the shifting dynamics involving African Americans and the growing number of immigrants, Catholics, and Jews in the social fabric of the nation.
The decade was characterized by a complex blend of social, political, economic, and cultural changes—earning it the moniker, the “Roaring Twenties” or “Jazz Age.”
24.1 Prosperity and the Production of Popular Entertainment
Learning Objectives
Discuss the role of movies in the evolution of American culture.
Explain the rise of sports as a dominant social force.
Analyze the transformations brought about by automobiles, especially the Model T, in American life.
Overview of the Prosperity of the 1920s
The 1920s ushered in significant prosperity expressed in entertainment advancements and technological innovations, altering leisure and consumption patterns for many Americans.
Increased disposable income facilitated a boom in entertainment sectors, contributing to the rise of consumer culture.
The buying on credit or "carrying" debt became common, allowing for greater access to consumer goods and automobiles.
Advertising rose to prominence, with commercial radio and magazines crafting national icons from athletes and actors.
MOVIES
Increased prosperity led to greater disposable incomes available for entertainment, particularly through movies.
The emergence of “moving picture” theaters (movie palaces) capable of seating thousands rose in major cities.
24.2 Transformation and Backlash
The transformational changes in society prompted backlash from traditionalists who felt threatened by the rapid shifts in culture and demographics.
Prohibition, initiated by the 18th Amendment, led to the rise of speakeasies and organized crime as individuals sought to flout the law.
The Harlem Renaissance emerged, highlighting African American culture, arts, and activism, challenging racial prejudices.
24.3 A New Generation
The youth of the 1920s were characterized by a rejection of traditional norms, embracing new styles, jazz music, and flapper culture.
This generation exhibited a new sense of freedom, particularly for women who sought independence in social, political, and economic roles.
24.4 Republican Ascendancy: Politics in the 1920s
The political landscape was dominated by Republican leadership, emphasizing policies that favored business and economic expansion.
Notable presidents of this era included Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover, each promoting growth and minimal government interference in the economy.
The decade also saw growing isolationism in response to the aftermath of World War I, impacting foreign policy decisions.
Conclusion
The Jazz Age was not merely a period of prosperity; it was a time of social upheaval, cultural transformation, and political change that would influence the United States for decades to come.