Lesson 27: The Roaring 20s
The 1920s were a reaction against the Great War. This led to a lot of changes, leading to the name the Roaring 20s. Read about it here: http://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties#
Henry Ford's use of the assembly line started mass production of cars. Most car-makers had employees that would build the entire car, one employee building the car from start to finish. This was expensive because each employee had to know every step to making the car. Ford, on the other hand, had an assembly line where Employee A connected part 4 and 5 and then Employee connected it to part 6, etc. This meant that he could pay his employees less because they didn't have as much training. This then meant that he could sell his cars for cheaper.
Cars made a different in the landscape of America. Suddenly we needed roads. Since you didn't have to walk to work if you owned a car, you didn't have to live as close to work. This led to the development of the suburbs. Lastly, railroads began to struggle because everyone preferred cars (thanks to the fees and corruption of the railroads).
Henry Ford's use of the assembly line started mass production of cars. Most car-makers had employees that would build the entire car, one employee building the car from start to finish. This was expensive because each employee had to know every step to making the car. Ford, on the other hand, had an assembly line where Employee A connected part 4 and 5 and then Employee connected it to part 6, etc. This meant that he could pay his employees less because they didn't have as much training. This then meant that he could sell his cars for cheaper.
Cars made a different in the landscape of America. Suddenly we needed roads. Since you didn't have to walk to work if you owned a car, you didn't have to live as close to work. This led to the development of the suburbs. Lastly, railroads began to struggle because everyone preferred cars (thanks to the fees and corruption of the railroads).
Inventions and Consumerism
In 1908, the first electrically powered washing machine was invented. During the 1920s they became much more common. This would make the biggest difference in the lives of women. Washing clothes, prior to the washing machine, took much of the day, several days a week. The washing machine meant that they could leave and do other things during the hours previously used for washing. Many women took this time to support different causes, such as Women's Suffrage, better conditions for the mentally ill, etc. Beyond any other technology, the washing machine most changed the lives of women.
Airplane - Though the airplane had been invented before the 1920s, they became a legitimate way to travel, thanks to Charles Lindberg's flight. He was the first to make a transcontinental flight between the United States and Paris in 1927. Improvements to the airplane helped as well.
The radio became a source of entertainment that people could enjoy within the comforts of their own homes. Sports, mysteries, and other radio shows were broadcast. For the first time, people living in the East could hear the national news from the West on the same day it happened. Products began to be sold nationally as well, thanks to advertisement.
Movies began during the 20s, the first sound picture being The Jazz Singer. Motion pictures were a blow to live entertainment, such as the theater or Vaudeville.
Airplane - Though the airplane had been invented before the 1920s, they became a legitimate way to travel, thanks to Charles Lindberg's flight. He was the first to make a transcontinental flight between the United States and Paris in 1927. Improvements to the airplane helped as well.
The radio became a source of entertainment that people could enjoy within the comforts of their own homes. Sports, mysteries, and other radio shows were broadcast. For the first time, people living in the East could hear the national news from the West on the same day it happened. Products began to be sold nationally as well, thanks to advertisement.
Movies began during the 20s, the first sound picture being The Jazz Singer. Motion pictures were a blow to live entertainment, such as the theater or Vaudeville.
Civil Rights and Immigration
The KKK reached its peak in the 1920s. They were anti nearly everything. A few people they didn't like were foreigners, communists, Jews, Catholics, African Americans, evolution, gambling, and women's rights. They were very much for being isolationists and, despite their actions, claimed to be pacifists. Lynchings, however, were not uncommon near the KKK. African Americans tended to be targeted the most because they were the easiest targets. The southern governments were far less likely to go after those who hurt or killed an African American than a white person. The number one cause of death by the KKK was hanging.
Along with the strong feelings of isolationism came strong nativist feelings. Congress began to limit how many people were allowed to come into the United States. People became suspicious of immigrants. This was fueled even more by the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti. Read about it here: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sacco-and-vanzetti-executed
Along with the strong feelings of isolationism came strong nativist feelings. Congress began to limit how many people were allowed to come into the United States. People became suspicious of immigrants. This was fueled even more by the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti. Read about it here: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sacco-and-vanzetti-executed
Education
Though Americans had no problem with new technologies, they did have a problem with new(er) ideas. One of the issues that came up was the teaching of the theory of evolution. Read about the Scopes "Monkey" Trial here: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/monkey-trial-begins
Prohibition
In 1919, the 18th amendment was passed prohibiting the sale of alcohol. Read about it (you don't need to watch the video) here: http://www.history.com/topics/prohibition
Assignment #11
1. What is another name for the 1920s and why is it called that?
2. Explain what an assembly line is.
3. What invention most affected women's lives?
4. What music was invented/made popular during the 1920s.
5. Explain the "cultural civil war".
6. How did nativism affect Americans during the 20s?
7. Do you agree with the outcome of the Scopes Trial? Explain your position.
2. Explain what an assembly line is.
3. What invention most affected women's lives?
4. What music was invented/made popular during the 1920s.
5. Explain the "cultural civil war".
6. How did nativism affect Americans during the 20s?
7. Do you agree with the outcome of the Scopes Trial? Explain your position.