🗽US History Unit 24 – The Jazz Age – Redefining the Nation, 1919–1929

Key Events and Timeline

• World War I ended in 1918 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles
• The 18th Amendment was ratified in 1919 prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition)
• The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920 granting women the right to vote (women's suffrage)
• The Harlem Renaissance began in the early 1920s celebrating African American culture, art, and literature
  • Lasted until the mid-1930s
  • Centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City
• The Scopes "Monkey" Trial took place in 1925 debating the teaching of evolution in public schools
• Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927
• The Stock Market Crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression

Social and Cultural Shifts

• The "Roaring Twenties" saw a shift towards more liberal social norms and increased individualism
• Women experienced greater freedom and independence
  • Flappers challenged traditional gender roles with shorter hair, shorter skirts, and more assertive behavior
  • More women entered the workforce and pursued higher education
• The Harlem Renaissance celebrated African American culture and creativity
  • Jazz music, literature, and art flourished
  • Promoted racial pride and challenged stereotypes
• The "Lost Generation" of writers emerged disillusioned with post-war society (Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald)
• Prohibition led to the rise of speakeasies, bootlegging, and organized crime
• The Ku Klux Klan experienced a resurgence in membership and influence
• The Scopes Trial highlighted the tension between traditional religious beliefs and modern scientific ideas

Economic Boom and Consumerism

• The post-war period saw a significant economic expansion known as the "Roaring Twenties"
• Mass production techniques, such as the assembly line, increased efficiency and output
  • The automobile industry, led by Henry Ford, revolutionized transportation and manufacturing
  • The Model T became the first affordable, mass-produced car
• Consumer credit and installment buying became more common allowing for increased spending
• Advertising and marketing techniques became more sophisticated to promote new products and lifestyles
• The stock market experienced significant growth as more Americans invested in stocks and bonds
  • Speculation and buying on margin became widespread
  • The Stock Market Crash of 1929 ended the boom and led to the Great Depression
• The agricultural sector struggled with overproduction, falling prices, and increased mechanization

Political Landscape

• The Republican Party dominated national politics throughout the 1920s
  • Presidents Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover were all Republicans
  • Favored pro-business policies, low taxes, and limited government intervention
• The Democratic Party was divided between urban progressives and rural conservatives
• The Progressive Era reforms of the previous decade lost momentum
• The Teapot Dome Scandal revealed corruption in the Harding administration
• The U.S. pursued a policy of isolationism in foreign affairs
  • Refused to join the League of Nations
  • Signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact renouncing war as an instrument of national policy
• The Immigration Act of 1924 limited immigration and established quotas based on national origin
• The McNary-Haugen Bill, designed to support farmers, was vetoed by President Coolidge

Technological Advancements

• The widespread adoption of electricity and household appliances transformed daily life
  • Radios became a popular form of entertainment and information
  • Refrigerators and washing machines reduced domestic labor
• The automobile industry expanded rapidly leading to increased mobility and the growth of suburbs
  • The development of the assembly line by Henry Ford revolutionized mass production
  • The expansion of roads and highways, such as the Lincoln Highway, connected the nation
• Aviation technology advanced significantly
  • Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic flight in 1927 captured the public's imagination
  • The development of air mail services and passenger airlines began
• Motion pictures transitioned from silent films to "talkies" with synchronized sound
• The telephone became more common in households and businesses facilitating communication
• Advancements in medicine and public health
  • The discovery of insulin improved the treatment of diabetes
  • The development of vaccines for diphtheria and pertussis reduced childhood mortality

Arts and Entertainment

• Jazz music emerged as a popular and influential genre
  • Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith were notable jazz musicians
  • The Cotton Club in Harlem became a famous venue for jazz performances
• The Harlem Renaissance celebrated African American art, literature, and music
  • Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay were prominent writers
  • Aaron Douglas and Palmer Hayden were notable visual artists
• The "Lost Generation" of writers captured the disillusionment of the post-war era
  • Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" and F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" were iconic novels
  • Gertrude Stein coined the term "Lost Generation"
• Art Deco emerged as a popular design style characterized by geometric shapes and bold colors
• The motion picture industry experienced significant growth and popularity
  • Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton were famous silent film stars
  • The first "talkie," "The Jazz Singer," was released in 1927
• Broadway theater productions, such as the Ziegfeld Follies, entertained audiences
• Sports figures, such as Babe Ruth and Jack Dempsey, became national celebrities

Notable Figures

• Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States (1921-1923)
  • His administration was marred by the Teapot Dome Scandal
• Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States (1923-1929)
  • Known for his pro-business policies and limited government approach
• Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States (1929-1933)
  • His term was marked by the onset of the Great Depression
• Henry Ford, industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company
  • Pioneered the use of the assembly line for mass production
• Charles Lindbergh, aviator who completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight
• Marcus Garvey, black nationalist leader and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association
• Langston Hughes, poet and a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance
• Louis Armstrong, influential jazz musician and composer
• Al Capone, notorious gangster and symbol of the organized crime during Prohibition
• Babe Ruth, legendary baseball player known for his home run record

Legacy and Impact

• The 1920s saw significant social, cultural, and economic changes that shaped modern America
• The economic boom of the decade gave rise to consumerism and a new standard of living for many Americans
  • However, the unequal distribution of wealth and the stock market crash of 1929 exposed the vulnerabilities of the economy
• The Harlem Renaissance had a lasting impact on African American culture and identity
  • It paved the way for future civil rights movements and increased recognition of African American artists
• The "Lost Generation" of writers left a lasting literary legacy that captured the spirit of the era
• Technological advancements, such as the automobile and radio, transformed American society and culture
  • The mass production techniques pioneered during this era laid the foundation for modern manufacturing
• The 1920s saw the emergence of a more modern, urban, and consumer-oriented culture
  • However, it also highlighted the tensions between tradition and modernity, rural and urban areas, and different social groups
• The decade's legacy is often overshadowed by the Great Depression that followed
  • However, the 1920s remain a pivotal period in American history that continues to influence popular culture and historical understanding