Cultural and Political Trends of the 1920s

Examination of America's Involvement in the 1920s

  • Overview of the decade of the 1920s: an odd and contradictory period in American history, sandwiched between two turbulent periods:

    • Preceded by: mania for progressive reform and World War I

    • Followed by: Great Depression and World War II

Characteristics of the 1920s

  • Contradictory Nature:

    • Dizzying Change:

    • Onset of new products transforming daily life (e.g., automobiles)

    • Challenging traditional truths and values (e.g., fashion trends such as skirt hemlines)

    • Tension between Modernity and Tradition:

    • Many people anxious about the rapid changes and viewed them as a threat to their lives and beliefs

Goals for the Study Session

  • Analyze key developments of the 1920s focusing on political, economic, and cultural trends

  • Explore conservative backlash against modern developments and the contradictions of the decade

Political Developments in the 1920s

  • Post-World War I Upheaval (1919):

    • Reintegration of 3,000,000 soldiers into American society

    • Transition from wartime to peacetime economy resulting in dislocation and strikes

    • The Spanish flu pandemic:

    • Killed 670,000 Americans (more than the Civil War)

  • Presidential Election of 1920:

    • Americans seeking stability and a return to normalcy amid the upheaval

    • **Warren G. Harding:

    • Republican candidate promising "return to normalcy"

    • Historians' view:

      • Described as a handsome, semi-educated individual with limited intellect and abilities

      • Labelled one of the least qualified candidates nominated

      • His demeanor likened to that of a fraternity member rather than a serious president

Harding's Concept of Normalcy

  • Analyzing Harding's approach:

    • Idea of government:

    • Suggesting the end of progressive reforms

    • Characterized by limited government conservatism:

      • Pro-business but not aimed at rolling back progressive era legislation

      • Skeptical of expanding the government's role

Transition to Calvin Coolidge

  • Harding's Death:

    • Suffered a stroke in 1923, succeeded by Vice President Calvin Coolidge

  • Calvin Coolidge's Administration:

    • Nicknamed "Silent Calvin" due to his few spoken words

    • Emphasized extreme conservatism and pro-business policies

    • Notably stated: "The business of America is business."

    • Refusal to provide federal assistance during the 1927 Mississippi flood (America's most significant flood event)

Overview of Presidential Successions in the 1920s

  • Three pro-business conservative Republican presidents:

    • 1. Warren G. Harding (1921-1923)

    • 2. Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)

    • 3. Herbert Hoover (beginning in 1929)

Disappearance of the Progressive Movement

  • Explanation for the waning of progressivism in the 1920s:

    • Cultural fear spawned by the Bolshevik Revolution and emergence of the Soviet Union

    • The Red Scare (1919) heightened fears of communism and linked to social unrest

Economic and Cultural Trends of the 1920s

  • Two essential economic factors:

    • Industrial Boom:

    • Characterized as a second industrial revolution with significant productivity advancements

    • New Patterns of Consumption:

    • Emergence of a consumer-oriented society due to a surplus of goods

    • Companies increasingly focused on marketing and advertising

Innovations in American Industry

  • Methods such as assembly lines revolutionized production speed:

    • Example: Henry Ford reduced car production time from two weeks to 93 minutes

  • Resulting affordability of products, particularly automobiles

Rise of Aggressive Advertising Techniques

  • Companies instituting marketing departments to understand consumer behavior influenced by Freud's psychological theories

  • Advertisements aimed at tapping emotions to boost consumption

  • Cultural shift emphasizing emotional fulfillment and indulgence

Social and Cultural Shifts

  • New fun-loving culture centered in urban areas fostering liberation and enjoyment

    • Cities as hubs for new cultural practices and social interaction

  • Transformation of social and moral behavior:

    • Increased openness discussing sexuality, advent of dating

    • Changes in conduct of women (e.g., flappers)

    • Characteristics of the 'New Woman':

    • Shorter hair, exquisite fashion styles, open smoking, and more makeup

Cultural Backlash Against Changes

  • Rural America’s anxiety about moral decay resulting from urban, liberal influence

  • Revival of the Ku Klux Klan:

    • Re-emerged as reaction against urban culture and immigrants

    • Offered a false narrative linking cultural change with national identity and values

Elements of the Cultural Backlash

  • Protestant Fundamentalism:

    • Advocated the bible's literal interpretation as a refutation against Darwinism and modern moral decay

    • Key figures like Billy Sunday exemplified the evangelical push against secularism

  • Teaching of Darwinism ignited the Scopes Trial (1925):

    • Highlighted the clash between modern science and traditional religion

    • Scopes arrested for teaching Darwin's theory, exemplifying the cultural conflict

Conclusion: The Contradictory Decade of the 1920s

  • Period marked by rapid change and profound cultural tensions

  • A landscape where modernity battled traditional values, creating significant divides across the country.