Study Notes: The New Era

The New Era

Professor J. Gutierrez

The Roaring '20s

Overview of Key Themes

  • Return to Isolationism

  • The Republican White House, 1921-1933

    • Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge

  • Culture of Consumption

  • Culture of Escape

  • Prohibition & Crime

  • The New Woman

  • Harlem Renaissance

  • Culture War

  • Fundamentalist Christianity

  • Rebirth of the KKK

Timeline of Key Events

  • 1920: Warren G. Harding (R) elected; Prohibition goes into effect

  • 1920-1921: Post-war economic depression

  • 1923: Warren G. Harding dies; Calvin Coolidge (R) continues term

  • 1924: Calvin Coolidge elected; Dawes Plan enacted

  • 1928: Herbert Hoover (R) elected; Kellogg-Briand Pact signed

  • 1933: U.S. recognizes the Soviet Union

Return to Isolationism

  • George Washington's 1796 Farewell Address:

    • Warned against foreign alliances and wars.

    • America enjoyed protection by two large oceans, allowing detachment from European conflicts.

  • Before WWI:

    • American imperialism primarily focused on Latin America and the Pacific, areas perceived as “our backyard.”

  • World War I Impact:

    • Approx. 115,000 American casualties led to feelings of betrayal over European conflicts.

    • Resulted in a public sentiment of “never again” leading to a withdrawal into isolationism.

    • America did not join the League of Nations or ratify the Treaty of Versailles.

    • Instead, signed a separate peace with Germany and the former Central Powers.

  • Interest in Germany:

    • U.S. sought business opportunities with the new German Weimar Republic despite previous war.

  • Reaction to Russian Revolution:

    • Mixed feelings about the fall of Tsar Nicholas II; concern about the rise of communist revolutionaries.

    • U.S. would not diplomatically recognize the Soviet Union until 1933.

Warren G. Harding (29th President)

  • Election and Image:

    • Elected in 1920 following Woodrow Wilson’s incapacitation.

    • Presenting an image of charm and character, Harding was expected to be a great president.

  • Key Actions:

    • Signed peace treaties with Germany and Austria.

    • Removed wartime production controls and raised tariffs.

  • Administration Issues:

    • His presidency marred by corruption; bribery linked to his administration.

    • Oversaw brief economic depression from 1920-1921.

  • Death:

    • Harding died in 1923 from a heart attack.

Calvin Coolidge (30th President)

  • Election and Nickname:

    • Assumed presidency in 1923; elected in 1924.

    • Known as “Silent Cal.”

  • Foreign Policy Actions:

    • Adopted an aggressive foreign policy with numerous treaties.

    • Notable agreements include:

    • Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928): Renounced war, signed by major nations.

    • Dawes Plan (1924): Secured loans for the Weimar Republic.

  • Economic Policy:

    • Drastically reduced taxes on the wealthy; provided minimal support for workers.

  • Political Decision:

    • Chose not to run for re-election in 1928 amid economic growth.

Culture of Consumption

  • Economic Prosperity:

    • Following a brief depression, the 1920s emerged as an era of prosperity known as “The Roaring ‘20s.”

    • Return of soldiers post-war with disposable income contributed to economic surge.

  • Industrial Expansion and Consumer Goods:

    • Mass production brought affordable consumer goods such as:

    • Radios

    • Automobiles

    • Vacuum cleaners

    • Refrigerators

    • Mass-produced clothing.

  • Emergence of Department Stores:

    • Growth in iconic stores such as Walgreens, JC Penney, and Macy’s.

  • Automobiles:

    • Modern automobile development started in the late 19th century; popularized by Henry Ford's Model T in 1908.

    • Ford implemented the assembly line method in 1913, achieving rapid production rates (one Model T every 10 seconds by 1925).

    • The price of the Model T in 1909 ($825, equivalent to $25,000 today) made it accessible; by 1930, nearly 30 million Americans owned a car.

    • Competitors such as General Motors (GM) and Chrysler arose, all three companies remain operational today.

    • Fordism concept inspired German automakers to emulate his business model.

Culture of Escape

  • Changing Social Dynamics:

    • Automobiles transformed leisure travel, facilitating vacations and outings.

    • Dating practices altered, allowing for informal courtship away from home.

  • Speakeasies:

    • Emerged as secret venues selling smuggled alcohol; popular spots for jazz music and dancing viewed as lewd by older generations.

  • Economic Opportunities:

    • The rise of automobiles led to new businesses like gas stations and hotels along highways.

  • Film Industry Growth:

    • Major studios (Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, Fox, MGM) established by Jewish immigrants during this era, focusing on American values.

    • Movie-going became a cultural experience, not just entertainment, contributing to social norm shifts through popularity of “flappers.”

  • Influence of Movies:

    • Notable for creating sex symbols and popularizing stars as household names.

Culture of Escape (Continued)

  • Radio Revolution:

    • Commercially available since 1920; quickly became a staple in households.

    • Stations broadcast music and programs funded by advertisements; contributing to shops' revenues.

    • Jazz, stemming from African American music, gained widespread popularity.

  • Impact on Sports:

    • Radio introduced live “play-by-play” sports commentary, popularizing baseball further, turning athletes into heroic figures (e.g., Babe Ruth).

  • Generational Conflict:

    • Conservative backlash from the older generation; progressivism stalled amid prohibition and business favoritism.

    • The younger generation facing identity crises described as the “Lost Generation.”

Prohibition & Crime

  • 18th Amendment:

    • Enacted in 1920, banning the sale and transport of alcohol in the U.S.

  • Response to Prohibition:

    • Bootlegging (illegal smuggling of alcohol) emerged due to high demand, especially among youth.

    • Organized crime proliferation with rise of mafias and gangs, primarily operating in urban areas (e.g., New York, Chicago).

  • Speakeasies as Underground Bars:

    • Required passwords for entry; diverse clientele with opportunities for jazz musicians.

    • Territorial conflicts amongst gangs led to violent confrontations, resulting in significant urban violence.

  • Military Technology in Crime:

    • Use of advanced military technology (e.g., Tommy guns) by organized crime and police.

  • Notable Events:

    • Valentine's Day Massacre (1929): Al Capone’s gang killed seven rival members publicly in Chicago.

  • Federal Response:

    • Formation of the FBI (1908); evolved its name and aggressively pursued organized crime during the 1930s under J. Edgar Hoover.

The New Woman

  • Flappers:

    • Represented a cultural shift from Victorian modesty, embracing independence.

    • Actively engaged in dating and nightlife, challenging traditional expectations.

  • Employment of Women:

    • Predominantly held roles perceived as “feminized” (e.g., teachers, nurses) but young, unmarried women began taking clerking jobs.

  • Domestic Control:

    • Married women managed homes and child-rearing more autonomously, supported by new consumer products.

Harlem Renaissance

  • Background Events:

    • Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, known as “Black Wall Street,” thriving with African American businesses.

    • Tulsa Massacre (1921): Following racial tensions, a white mob attacked the district, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life (up to 100 killed).

  • The Great Migration:

    • Massive relocation of African Americans from the South to Northern cities (notably Harlem) during WWI, fostering a cultural hub.

  • Cultural Flourishing:

    • Harlem became the epicenter for African American arts, literature, and performance.

    • Influential works like Alain Locke’s The New Negro, celebrating spiritual emancipation.

  • Popular Culture:

    • Proliferation of African American music and Broadway shows featuring black actors.

    • Jazz became a draw for young white audiences at venues like the Cotton Club.

  • Activism:

    • Marcus Garvey promoted African American repatriation to Africa, facing opposition from organizations like the NAACP.

The Culture War

  • Post-WWI Sociopolitical Climate:

    • Bolshevik Revolution and European political instability led to nationalist sentiments and fears surrounding immigration.

    • Rising anarchy and communism sparked anti-immigrant reactions; particularly towards Southeastern European and Latin American immigrants.

  • Nativist Reaction:

    • The agitation prompted anti-immigrant incitements among American citizens, leading to restrictive laws.

  • Legislative Responses:

    • National Origins Act (1924): Instituted immigrant quotas favoring Western Europeans and limiting others, with exceptions for labor needs (e.g., increased Mexican immigration).

Fundamentalist Christianity

  • Religious Shift During the 1920s:

    • Emergence of a conservative counter-movement among Christians advocating for literal interpretations of biblical events.

  • The Fundamentals:

    • Publication between 1910-1915 setting forth foundational Christian beliefs amid the rise of liberal theology.

  • Scopes “Monkey” Trial (1925):

    • Teacher John T. Scopes arrested for teaching evolution, igniting a clash between science and religious beliefs.

    • High-profile trial highlighted tensions; Scopes was found guilty, penalty later overturned.; this trial illustrated cultural divides.

  • Lasting Impact:

    • Fundamentalism persisted as a distinctive movement within conservative American circles, perpetuating ongoing debates on religion and science.

Rebirth of the KKK

  • Resurgence Factors:

    • The Ku Klux Klan re-emerged during the 1920s in response to fears of immigrants, communism, and moral panic.

  • Klan Influence:

    • Increased memberships, reaching 4-5 million by 1922, aided by propaganda like the film Birth of a Nation.

  • Expansion Beyond the South:

    • Growth of KKK chapters in Northern cities coinciding with the Great Migration.

  • Target Groups:

    • KKK targeted not only African Americans but also immigrants and anyone labeled as “immoral,” including unionists and civil rights advocates.

  • Historical Context:

    • Klansmen engaged in violent activities underlining broader societal tensions; resurgence in the 1950s documented larger historical patterns.

Conclusion & Questions

  • Reflect on how Wilson and Americans approached U.S. involvement in WWI and the advantages the U.S. contributed to the Allies.

  • Consider how American ideology shifted post-war as isolationist sentiments re-emerged.

Note: All points represent elaborations based on the transcript provided to enhance student understanding.