The jazz era

Lecture Overview

• Focus on the Roaring Twenties, its cultural changes, music developments, and the Harlem Renaissance.

• Mention of assignment updates.

Roaring Twenties Lecture Content

• Only keywords on iCollege are relevant for study purposes.

• The Roaring Twenties lecture emphasizes significant cultural shifts rather than just historical events.

Assignment Update

• Issues with the original link for assignment photos have arisen due to a new payroll structure.

• Required to use photos from the US National Archives.

• Selection of 10 photos from a total of 62,400 available images required.

  • Photos can revolve around themes (e.g., animals, historical events).

• Citation is mandatory for the photos.

  • Options include embedding in PowerPoint or providing titles with reference links.

• Assignment's goal is to visually enhance understanding of historical contexts.

• Instructor will grade late submissions within the week due to recent exam pressures.

Upcoming Topics

• Discussion of World War I and its implications had already occurred.

• Next week's lecture will briefly cover the Great Depression and the New Deal.

  • Focus on new policies and organizations will be concise.

  • Students should be familiar with specific keywords and key New Deal programs, but memorization of all groups is not required.

  • Expect matching questions from a selected set of New Deal organizations for exams.

• The following week will transition into topics related to World War II.

The Golden Age Post-WWI

• Post-WWI America did not perceive effects as Europe did, focusing instead on normalcy.

• This era is sometimes called a Third Industrial Revolution,

  • Characterized by innovations such as the moving assembly line and more affordable automobiles.

  • However, affordability was class-dependent; not everyone had access to cars.

  • Early automobile models had crank starters and limited speeds, rendering them relatively unsafe.

• Airplanes emerged as instruments of war during WWI but transitioned into passenger vehicles during the Roaring Twenties.

  • Notable figures: Orville Wright, Charles Lindbergh, known for record-breaking flights.

Rise of Xenophobia and Nativism

• The Roaring Twenties saw a rise in nativism and xenophobia,

  • Nativism: belief that only native-born citizens have the right to belong in the U.S.

    • Linked to fear of immigration and discriminatory practices, primarily against Irish and Italian immigrants.

  • Notable individuals: Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, Italian anarchists wrongfully convicted due to social biases.

  • The term nativism ties closely with white supremacy, emphasizing anti-immigration sentiments.

  • Legal and societal responses included discriminatory practices in services and public life.

Impact of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

• The second iteration of the KKK emerged as a response to rising antisemitism and xenophobic sentiments.

  • This iteration was less visible than the original, operating secretively and using intimidation tactics.

  • The KKK associated itself with the book "Birth of a Nation," promoting the Lost Cause narrative.

  • Rituals included cross burnings as symbols of power and warnings against marginalized communities.

  • Leo Frank's trial exemplified antisemitism and scapegoating against Jewish immigrants.

Cultural Changes in the 1920s

• The passage of the Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote,

  • Rooted in women’s contributions to the labor force during WWI.

• Sexual education movements gained traction during this era, including Margaret Sanger's advocacy.

  • The establishment of birth control methods, notably the birth control pill, emerged from early twentieh-century debates on sexuality.

• The 'new woman' in literature and art began to emerge, focusing on gender expression and roles during the 1920s.

  • This included women adopting more masculine presentation in fashion during the 1920s.

The Harlem Renaissance

• A socio-cultural movement centered in Harlem, representing a flourishing of Black culture and identity post-WWI.

• Harlem considered an immigration suburb, low-cost housing encouraged an influx of Black residents.

• Key figure: Marcus Garvey, who promoted Black nationalism and cultural pride.

  • Introduced drag shows and challenged societal norms.

• Harlem became a hub for literary and artistic expression,

  • Notable figures: musicians like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and various authors.

• Emergence of unique music styles, such as jazz and scat, influenced popular culture.

• Harlem as a symbol of cultural celebration, diverging from mainstream whites' expectations.

Prohibition and Cultural Developments

• Prohibition led to the rise of speakeasies and underground cultural pockets,

  • Underground clubs offered safe havens for socializing and cultural expression.

• Political movements began to recognize the shortcomings of prohibition, leading to changes in policy.

Cultural Diversity and Its Implications

• The Roaring Twenties represented a diverse cultural landscape in America, connecting various cultural expressions with social change.

• Financial downturn following the era represented a stark contrast to cultural blossoming, contributing to the severity of the Great Depression,

  • With society transitioning from celebration to crisis in a short period.

Conclusion

• Students encouraged to engage with the material and ask questions, especially concerning the assignment.

• Emphasis on the varied cultural narratives of the 1920s, including artists’ impacts, social movements, and historical implications of nativism and race relations.