A Return to Normalcy: American Life in the 1920s
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Transcript of A Return to Normalcy: American Life in the 1920s
A Return to A Return to Normalcy:Normalcy:American Life in the 1920sAmerican Life in the 1920s
LESSON 34American Life in the Roaring Twenties (1919-
1929)
RADICAL
LIBERAL
MODERATE
CONSERVATI
VE REACTIONA
RY
Socialists
Anarchists
Communists
Progressives seeking societal reform
People stuck in the middle of Progressive agenda and Republican and Democratic similarities
Pro-business forces in America (typically Republican)
Idealists that sought some nativist aims (KKK, Mugwumps)
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES OF THE 1920s
How did economic boom color the view of American society?
I. A “MASS CONSUMPTION” ECONOMY
A. “Golden ’20s” BOOMING BUSINESS
• Era of prosperity• New inventions• Widespread
confidence in business and economy
How did economic boom color the view of American society?
B. Symbols of prosperity
1. Automobile production perfected through assembly line (1929: 1 car per 4.9 Americans)
2. Boom in gasoline industry fed off of automobiles spurred migration to cities and new jobs
3. Advertising targeted consumers seduction and sex appeal!
How was society affected by the Roaring ’20s?
II. SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE ROARING ’20s
A. PROHIBITION ERA: Alcohol use blamed for many urban problems
1. 18th Amendment (1919): Prohibited manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol in U.S.
2. Bootlegging and organized crime were on the rise rise of Al Capone and organized crime
The original “Scarface”…
How was society affected by the Roaring ’20s?
3. 1930: Organized crime taking in $12-18 billion in profit helped by new lines of business (prostitution, gambling, narcotics)
4. Did prohibition help? Absenteeism at work down Personal savings increased
among lower classes SPEAKEASIES: Middle-class
havens for drinking Enforcement difficult and
casualThe original “Scarface”…
How was society affected in the Roaring ’20s?
B. NATIVISM1. Increased as nation
became increasingly isolationist
2. Denouncement of “radical” and “un-American” ideas paranoia over Bolshevism
3. Period of increased labor strikes 20% of workforce walked out (1920) over inflation
4. Sacco & Vanzetti Trial (1921): Italians convicted of murder although presence at crime could not be confirmed
How was society affected in the Roaring ’20s?
5. Ku Klux Klan (KKK) revival 5 million strong
(greater spread in Midwest)
Racist and isolationist more nativist than later years
6. “Red Scare” – Palmer Raids (1919-1920) Series of arrests to
eliminate suspected communists
Caused cutbacks on free speech and deportation to Europe emphasis on “Americanism”
A. Mitchell Palmer
How was society affected in the Roaring ’20s?
7. Immigration laws EMERGENCY QUOTA
ACT (1921): 3% limit on certain nationalities in U.S. focused on Poles, Italians, Russians
NATIONAL ORIGINS ACT (IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1924): Cut limit to 2% and shut door on Japanese
Led to more foreigners leaving by 1931 than coming in
Why did religion factor in a society driven by consumerism?
C. THE EMERGENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT1. FUNDAMENTALISTS: Christian reformers who
aimed at Darwinism Darwinian belief destroyed faith in God and society Led to growth in Baptist church and Church of
Christ
2. BUTLER LAW (1924): Tennessee law banning teaching of evolution against creationism (Christian belief)
3. SCOPES TRIAL (1925): Biology teacher indicted for teaching Darwinian theory in class case fought by ACLUa. Placed fundamentalism on trialb. Scopes found guilty, but fine waivedc. Both Darwinism and fundamentalism strengthened
What signaled the development of the “Lost Generation”?
D. YOUNG & RESTLESS: Rebellion against
conformity Further liberation
of women
E. BULL MARKET: Overspeculation led to ever-growing stock market crippled by credit concerns and tax cuts for rich
How did the Great Depression begin worldwide economic collapse?
III. CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION
A. 1920s: Underlying problems with U.S. economy
• Investment on credit: High level of debt to investment banks and creditors debt caused by buying on margin and speculation
• Overproduction: production of more goods than could be sold to the public
How did the Great Depression begin worldwide economic collapse?
• Uneven distribution of income: Half of population lived at or below the poverty level
• Shrinking international trade: Tariffs made it hard to sell products abroad
• Shaky banking and credit: Banking was still unregulated by the federal government
How did the Great Depression begin worldwide economic collapse?
B. October 29, 1929: STOCK MARKET CRASH
1. Signaled beginning of Great Depression
2. Failure of overvalued businesses
3. Shaky banking system crumbled
4. Bankruptcy hit farmers struggling due to severe droughts
5. Very high unemployment by 1933, over 25% of American workers unemployed
How did the Great Depression begin worldwide economic collapse?
C. Dust Bowl: Overproduction of ’20s countered with severe droughts over 1 million farmers driven from land