History 1920’s Study Guide :D

Vocab

Jazz Age-  Quirky name for the 1920s (because jazz skyrocketed in popularity then)

Suburb- Area outside of a city (McLean reference??), people started living there because the car was invented and so they could drive to their jobs in the city

Credit- To buy something and pay for it later 

Commercials- A broadcast that tries to get your attention, or make you buy/do something

Suffrage- The right to vote

Picket- To protest with signs outside of a location/building

Progress- To move forward, or towards something (usually change for the better)

Evolution- Belief that organisms change over time (science reference???)

Communism- Economic system where the government controls the economy, as opposed to capitalism

Capitalism- an economic/political system where a country’s economy, trade, and industries are controlled by private owners for personal profit

Backlash- A negative reaction by a group of people (ex. Poll taxes and literacy tests as a response to black men being given suffrage)

Suffragists- People who fought and protested for women’s suffrage- occasionally called suffragettes if female, though some found that disrespectful, since the very thing they were fighting for was gender equality.

Economic Boom and Aftermath of WW1

Ww1: After WW1, the nation returned to being isolationist. The country experiences an “economic boom”.

Rights: Women gain suffrage, and start to become a bigger part of society, with gender roles becoming less strict. Jim Crow Laws and segregation are still in place all throughout the 1920s.

Economy: The country experienced an “economic boom”, due to new inventions, advancements in technology, mass production, advertising, and credit, which led to lots of consumerism.

Mass Production: Companies began to produce far more products, far cheaper thanks to the division and specialization of labour (assembly lines), and new tools and machinery. Keep in mind that the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 had NOT been passed yet, so the fact that the hours were insane definitely helped too! (Back to the mines? NAH, go build some automobiles lil Timmy)

Rise of Gru Credit: Credit allowed people to buy things that are too expensive to pay for all at once (such as the new inventions like cars, fridges, ect.), and that helped the economy. However, bank failures led to the Great Depression. (Man, we aren’t there yet! Do you know how hard it is to avoid spoilers these days? Tut tut.)

Advertising: The rise of advertising and commercials influenced consumers to buy more products 🤑

New Inventions: These made chores and housework far easier, and increased quality of life, allowing for leisure time to enjoy some lovely entertainment (hint hint new industry cough cough).

New Inventions

Automobiles and Henry Ford- ERM ACTUALLY HE DIDN’T INVENT T- shush. While Henry Ford didn’t invent the automobile, he invented the assembly line, which allowed him to mass produce cars. This allowed him to make them more affordable for producers, and in turn, the public! (“Thank you, Henry.” we all say in unison). The Ford Model- T was the average American’s car, and they only came in black unless you paid lots. Having a colored car was a sign of class and money! This invention and lowering of prices caused more people to live in the suburbs, as they could commute to work.

Band-Aids- You know what Band-Aids are.

Fridges- This aided in the rise of frozen food. Before, you had to buy food everyday, or else it would go bad. However, after the invention of the fridge, (1913, Fred W. Wolf) people could buy food, and keep them in the fridge for weeks! This also contributed to more leisure time.

Washing Machines- Before, people used washboards to wash clothes, and it took lots of time and effort. However, after the invention of the washing machine (Alva J. Fisher, 1908), washing clothes took far less effort. (Another 1920s household appliance that greatly lowered chore time and increased quality of life- who would have guessed?)

Penicillin- This life saving medicine was invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928, and it treats infections from bacteria that can eventually become deadly, such as sepsis.

Traffic Signals- Children used to always play games in the street. With the car being widely distributed, car meets child- you can guess what happens.

Cheeseburgers

Radio- Allowed for widespread information and entertainment. Sunday night radio shows would be broadcasted throughout the country, as the TV hadn’t been invented yet (No Tiktok? :O) 

Electricity- This became way more available by the 1920s. In fact, by 1930, 2/3rds of Americans had electricity. Electric lighting also allowed people to work longer hours at their jobs, and at home.

Entertainment- Radio shows and movies (in cinema) were leisure activities. Disney grew in popularity. (Disney? As in Disnee? As in Dex the rat? KOTLC reference?)

Household appliances- These included Vacuum cleaners, electric irons, toasters, blenders (led to milkshakes), and the radio

Credit- Allowed people to buy more expensive things, but eventually led to the Great Depression (Time of crisis in the nation? Like the aftermath of the Heartland War? UNWIND REFERENCE??? 👹)

Women’s Suffrage

Women in the 20th century: Women were expected to stay home and care for the house and children while their husband went out to work. They had few work, education, and legal rights (ex. while divorces were looked down upon for men, it was almost impossible for a woman to get a divorce unless she had concrete proof that the husband had cheated on her/ beat her severely). They were also not allowed to be involved in politics.

Women’s Suffrage Movement: This was a movement for women’s right to vote. It lasted 72 years, starting with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, and ending in 1920 with the 19th amendment being ratified (To sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid- google).

Strategies and Associations

AWSA-  The American Woman Suffrage Association (1869-1890) Supported the 15th amendment, and wanted to get the vote for women by going state by state

NWSA- The National Woman Suffrage Association (1869-1890) Opposed the 15th Amendment, as they wanted women included. They wanted to gain suffrage nationally, through an amendment, not through state laws, as it was more permanent.

NWP- The National Women’s Party (1916- Present) used more “radical” approaches such as picketing, hunger strikes, and jail sentences to get the vote. (Did they become clappers? UNWIND REFERENCE??? 👹)

NAWSA- National American Woman Suffrage Association (1890-1920) was the AWSA and NWSA combined, merging tactics to gain suffrage gradually, and nationally. However, they excluded women of color, and never adopted the “radical” tactics of the NWP.

AWSA NWSA

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✨NAWSA✨

NACW- The National Association of Colored Women (1896- present) was formed to protect African American men and women’s right to vote.

Women’s Suffrage and WW1- By 1917, when the US entered the World War, 11 states had granted women suffrage. Suffragists used WW1 and the fact that women were playing a big role as leverage to convince the government to give women the vote, since they were helping the state. They said that it was a defense during the war, and giving women the vote would be protecting democracy.

19th Amendment and its Limitations

What it did- it gave everyone, “regardless of sex”, the right to vote. It passed congress in 1919, and was ratified in 1920 (like the amendment for unwinding? UNWIND REFERENCE????????).

Shortcomings- While it technically allowed women of all races to vote, states were quick to put in laws stopping African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans from voting. (Remember the poll taxes and literacy tests from the 15th amendment? Sound familiar? Potential short answer qu- Who said that?)

Progress and Backlash

Progress: The Great Migration–  Over 6 million African Americans moved from the rural south to urban North. This was because there was more racism in the south, and more opportunities in the North. They mainly moved to Chicago and New York. (1916-1970)

Backlash: KKK- The KKK was a secret white christian extremist group in the south, in which membership grew in the 20s. They were anti-immigrant and anti-African American. They used brutal and horrific displays of violence to gain power.

Progress: Evolution- A man named John Scopes taught Charles Darwin’s idea of evolution in school.

Backlash: Scopes trial- People sued Scopes for teaching this, as it went against the idea that God created humans. The religious side won, and Scopes was fined. It stayed illegal to teach evolution in schools until 1967.

Progress: Labor Unions- These unions fought for workers rights, safer work environments, and less hours. People began to go on strike for their rights and to protest against maltreatment.

Backlash: The Red Scare- This was the first of two “Red Scares” that America has experienced, which is the fear of communism. People feared that these labor unions were one step closer to communism, which they feared because of the soviet union. This led to the Palmer Raids, which was a movement to deport suspected radicals.

Progress: Diverse Immigration- With the 2nd wave of immigrants coming to Ellis and Angel Island, Asians, non-christians, and South-Eastern Europeans made their way into America.

Backlash: Limits and Bans-  The Immigration Act of 1917 required literary requirements for immigrants, and The Immigration Act of 1924 established a quota system to determine who could immigrate from certain nations, as the US was becoming more isolationist again after WW1.

1920’s Culture

Georgia O’Keeffe- Artist

F. Scott Fitzgerald- Author that wrote the Great Gatsby

Charlie Chaplin- Silent film star

John Steinback- Author

George Gershwin- Composer

Jacob Lawrence- Painter that depicted African American culture and the Harlem Renaissance

Langston Hughes- Jazz poetry

Louis Armstrong- Jazz trumpeter
Entertainment Changes: Because Americans began to have leisure time, the entertainment industry grew. This included films in theaters, radio shows and sports. The popular sports at the time were baseball, boxing, and golf.

The Harlem Renaissance:African American culture began to spread throughout the North after the Great Migration. After centuries of having their culture be oppressed, African Americans could finally have it expressed. While this happened world wide, it was centered in Harlem, NYC.

Women’s Lifestyle: After the 19th amendment gave women suffrage, traditional gender roles were less strictly enforced. The “flapper” was a symbol of 20’s women (Flapper? Or CLAPPER? UNWINDDDDD REFERENCE???????????????????????? 👹). 

Flappers: Women in the 20s that sported shortly cut hair, lots of make-up, and knee-cut dresses. They were always going out and trying new fads, dances, and fashion. They were often seen as scandalous,as they were constantly pushing the social norm.

Prohibition

Roots of Prohibition

American Drinking Culture- Drinking was a large part of America’s culture. People did it at social gatherings, to celebrate, to grieve, at every meal, ect. Doctors  said that alcohol was better for you than water as water at the time could be unsafe, but alcohol killed the germs. This wasn’t a problem, just a way of life- until rum, whiskey, and other alcoholic beverages with a high alcohol percentage became more available. This became an issue because people didn’t adjust to the fact that the alcohol content was much higher, and still continued to drink at every meal. By 1830, the average American over 15 drank 88 bottles of whiskey/year.

Problems with drinking- Women and children began to be abandoned by their husbands, who spent far too much money on alcohol, and drank themselves into a hole they could never escape. Keep in mind that protection from domestic violence and, abuse, and divorces were not considered a thing at the time, and when men became far more violent when drunk, women had to face the consequences.

Prohibition and the 18th Amendment

18th Amendment (1919)- This amendment banned the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the US. However, it didn’t forbid making it for personal use or consuming it in general.

Volstead Act (1920)- This act specified that no alcohol containing over 0.5% alcohol could be sold, produced, or transported (This could range from light beers to heavy whiskey and rum). It also enforced the 18th amendment.

Causes 

Crime- Society blamed crime on alcohol, but after Prohibition, crime rates rose.

Poverty- Men would spend lots of money on alcohol, pouring from an empty glass. Also, with them being so drunk all the time, they couldn’t work and would often get fired, leaving them unable to support their families.

Morals and Health- Drinking alcohol, especially at the rate they did back then, is and was harmful. Religious groups such as the Anti-Saloon League said that drinking was sinful and wrong to gain public favor for prohibition and The 18th Amendment.

The Temperance Movement

WCTU- The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was a group that wanted to limit (not ban) alcohol and promote equality. Originally they focused on both, but during the Prohibition era they distanced themselves from suffragist groups and focused mostly on limiting alcohol consumption: “Lips that touch liquor shall not touch ours” (random protester 563758). (Is my embedding good??)

ASL- The Anti-Saloon League wanted to completely ban alcohol. They wanted a national ban, but started off gradually (state by state), building momentum until eventually they could have a constitutional amendment, like the WCTU.

Propaganda- The ASL put out lots of propaganda appealing to people's morals and fear. Also, the Anti-German sentiment during WW1 helped, as many well-known American alcohol brands were German.Consequences and the End of Prohibition

The End of Prohibition- Prohibition ended for multiple reasons. These included:

Cost- Over 1 billion dollars were lost in taxes, and it cost over $300 million to enforce prohibition laws

The Great Depression- People became extremely depressed, and everyone needed a drink. Also, the gvmt and businesses needed profit from selling alcohol.

Rise in Crime-  many Americans opposed the 18th Amendment and found ways around it, such as speakeasies and bootlegging. Also, ribery and corruption filled the government as gang leaders such as Al Capone gained wealth and power. There was also much more violence and corruption due to gangs fighting over the alcohol market.

21st Amendment- in 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th, which made it the first and only amendment in US history to do that!

Prohibition’s Legacy

Cultural Impact- The Prohibition Era popularized speakeasies, underground social movements, and inspired stories, films and music about this era

Moral Lessons- It brought up questions about gvmt regulation vs individual freedom, and people learned that it is tough to legislate morality.

Unity- At speakeasies, Jim Crow Laws and laws discriminating against women were ignored, as since they’re already breaking the law, why not break a few more? So, almost ironically, these illegal bars provided grounds for different races and sexes to interact, and some prejudice was dissolved.