7.8 Ap US History

Introduction to the 1920s Communication and Technology

• Video hosted by Jill Burns, a seasoned AP U.S. History teacher.

• Focus on how communication and technology transformed American life in the 1920s.

• Essential question: Evaluate the ways new communication and technology changed American life over time.

Key Concepts

Definition of Evaluation

• Evaluation involves ranking or rating the impact of new technology and communication.

• Necessary first step: Define or list the impacts before evaluating their significance.

New Technologies in the 1920s

• Electric Appliances:

  • Result of industrialization during the Gilded Age increases availability of electrified household products.

  • Example: Electric vacuum cleaners ease household tasks, influencing gender roles.

• Scientific Management:

  • A method for improving industrial efficiency, leading to increased standard of living.

  • Encourages consumer behavior through availability of products and credit use.

The Automobile Revolution

• Henry Ford and the Assembly Line:

  • Implementation of assembly line techniques revolutionizes car production.

  • Ford's Model T becomes a symbol of efficiency, offering affordable cars to Americans.

  • Economically centralizes the American lifestyle around automobiles.

• Impact on Society:

  • Increases mobility and freedom for individuals, particularly women.

  • Alters geographical landscapes with highways and billboards, influencing urban development.

The Rise of Mass Media

• Advertising:

  • Advertising in the 1920s parallels wartime propaganda, aiming to elicit emotional responses and consumer action.

  • Former wartime propagandists transition into the ad industry post World War I.

• Radio as a Catalyst for National Culture:

  • Creates a shared cultural experience through common programs and advertisements.

  • Emphasizes regional differences and increases awareness of national dynamics.

Evaluation of Impacts

Major Impacts Identified

1. Automobile Impact: Greatest Influence

• Economic implications tied to fuel, materials, and related industries.

• Social freedom and mobility significantly improved, especially for women.

• Geographical landscapes transformed via infrastructure changes.

2. Radio Impact: Second Greatest Influence

• Fostered national culture with widespread access to programs and news.

• Raised regional awareness and highlighted differences across the country.

Historical Parallels

• Comparison to the historical impact of railroads during the Industrial Revolution.

• Future comparison: Television’s emergence in the 1950s as another transformative communication medium.

Summary of Key Takeaways

• New communication and technology in the 1920s led to greater cultural connection among Americans and improved living standards, particularly with the introduction of credit.

• Automobiles and radio emerged as the most significant influences on American life.

• Historical context connects developments of the 1920s with earlier innovations like railroads and telegraphs and later advancements like television.

Closing Remarks

• Transition to the next segment on cultural and political controversies of the 1920s by Jose Gregory.

• Encouragement and well wishes for students preparing for the AP exam.