The 1920’s Way of Life The Roaring 20’s was a time in America’s history in which the people faced great economic advancements, created new social norms, and worked towards a better way of life.
The 1920’s Way of Life The Roaring 20’s was a time in America’s history in which the people faced great economic advancements, created new social norms, and worked towards a better way of life.
Historical Events in the 1920’s
1920- Prohibition begins 1922- Reader’s Digest published Talking movies invented 1925- Scopes (Monkey) Trial 1927- Babe Ruth makes home-run record 1928- Penicillin discovered 1929- Stock market crashes St. Valentine’s Day Massacre 19th Amendment passed- women allowed to vote 1926- Henry Ford institutes 5-day workweek and 8-hour work day Herbert Hoover is elected President Warren Harding elected President 1923- Harding dies and Calvin Coolidge sworn into presidency F. Scott Fitzgerald publishes The Great Gatsby
New Advancements
Automobile: The most important invention at this time was mass production of the car by Henry Ford Austin 20 Touring Car $695 1920 Ford Runabout $265.00 ($85.00 extra for starter and dismountable rims) 1924 Michigan Chevrolet Superior Roadster $490.00 1924 Wisconsin Cadillac Touring Car $3940 1921 Example Prices of cars in the 1920’s The automobile radio was started in 1922
New Advancements Cont. Medicine- Discovery of insulin-1921 People suffering from diabetes can now maintain this disease Discovery of Vitamin E-1922 Immunization against Diphtheria This lead to the vaccine against tuberculosis Penicillin is discovered-1928 Other Advancements- Motion Picture Camera Aerial crop dusting was first done in 1921 New advancements in health- such as the way Vitamin D helps Working to make new discoveries like the first fossilized dinosaur eggs in 1923 All of these advancements prove that America was taking a positive turn. People wanted to learn new things and improve the country and the way things were done.
Prohibition
Goals: -Lower crime rates -Reduce social problems -Lower taxes -Improve health Effects: -Raise crime rates -Introduced more organized crime -Corruption increased -Prisons became overcrowded -Health and sanitation was worsened
Prohibition Cont.
The 18th Amendment banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. It went in effect on January 16, 1920 December 5, 1933 21st Amendment repeals the 18th and prohibition is over. -Volstead Act- this act enforced the 18th amendment. It prohibited the manufacture, sale, or possession of alcoholic beverages. Along with this it declared that alcoholic beverages contained more than one-half percent alcohol, and allowed federal agent to investigate and prosecute violators.
Anti-Prohibition
Speakeasies- -Underground establishments where people would go to purchase and consume alcohol -In New York City alone there were about 100,000 speakeasies by the middle of the decade -Speakeasies were held in basements, attics, and even disguised as other establishments. People would disguise them as soda shops and cafes to cover that they ran a speakeasy
Temperance: People who were for temperance supported prohibition and felt that it brought positive effects Words on the tree: Life Peace Industry Morality Economy Kindness Faith Knowledge This tree represents the positive effects that people believed prohibition had on the world.
Words on the tree: Arson Wars Instability Cruelty Death Selfishness Stealing Malice Intemperance- this simply means the excessive or immoderate use of alcoholic beverages This tree represents all of the bad things people believed drinking brought on to public.
Flappers
-Well known for their loose dresses and skirts along with a unique short hairstyle and the use of more makeup -They went against traditional values and social norms - Older generations did not appreciate the image they presented -They embraced the idea of change and helped women gain independence -They drank and smoke even through a time when this was not always acceptable -Known for their risqué behavior
Music
-Different music styles began to gain popularity in the 1920’s -Some of the most popular music genres were jazz and ragtime -The radio and radio stations were developing rapidly in the 1920’s and it quickly became a favorite American past time -In its early years jazz music was considered devils music by certain American groups
Music Cont.
Bessie Smith: -Famous blues singer in the 1920’s- “Empress of the Blues” -Became highest paid African American entertainer in America -She sang about the experiences of African Americans but attracted both African American audiences and white audiences Louis Armstrong: -Famous jazz musician during the 20’s -Started playing music to earn money for his family
Broadway
-Broadway really set sail in the 20’s. People were happy about the end of the war and they looked for entertainment in activities such as seeing a show -There were no limits on themes. Theatre focused on what was going on in the world -African Americans were now a larger part of theatre. They no longer were excluded from it and were seen in major productions -Repertory theatre was introduced. This was non-profit theatre that provided training for new actors and offered quality theatre to the public, not only the upper class
Gangsters
“Scarface Capone” “Lucky” Luciano “Bugs” Moran “Dutch” Schultz The four gentlemen above were some of the most well known gangsters during the Roaring 20’s. Gangsters were responsible for the illegal activities of the time including bootlegging. When prohibition began the crime rates of organized groups went up rather than decreasing like most thought it would Those involved in crime were often well dressed and were known for wearing some of the best suits and accessories Not only involved in the rejection of prohibition but were also involved in gambling and other illegal activities Gangs were heavily involved with political, social, and economical issues of the time
Al Capone
-Al Capone is one of Chicago’s most notorious gangsters -Born January 17, 1899 in Brooklyn New York -Even as a kid he was a part of two gangs Brooklyn Rippers Forty Thieves -He became a part of the Five Points gang in Manhattan -Moved to Chicago in 1920 -Earned $60 million a year from alcohol sales -Other criminal activity provided $45 million a year
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