1920s: An Overview

1. 1920s: An Overview Do Now: List 10 words/phrases that describe the 1920s based on your research Objectives: To examine the 20s, focusing primarily on the tensions that existed during the decade

2. A Once Popular View • “The Roaring 20s” • “The Jazz Age” • A decade of prosperity and a new culture • Flappers dancing to the hot sounds of the new Jazz music in downtown Harlem. • Renaissance poets expressing their culture within the new north • Gangsters and bootleggers serving their immoral pleasantries at the local speakeasies • Speculators freely exchanging cash for a chance to win it big on Wall Street. • Though valid, there is an issue with this view.

3. RealityCulture Clash and Social Turmoil • Immigrants became the target for governmental crackdowns on radicalism • Blacks found themselves out of job held during the war • The re-emergence of the KKK in a more radical form • Religious battles over immorality • Farmers struggled to make a living • Cities shut down due to strikers • Science and Religion Clashed

4. Changes in Social Norms • Generational Rift • New Women • Harlem Renaissance • Jazz • Consumerism

5. The Red Scare • May 1st, 1919 “May Day” • 20 bombs were mailed to government officials and capitalists including • Oliver Wendel Holmes • John D. Rockefeller • J.P. Morgan Jr. • In June the same year • Bombs exploded across in US is 8 cities • On September 16, 1920, 30 people were killed when a wagon exploded near Wall Street • Led to “Palmer Raids”

6. The Panic over Radicalism • Why • The Russian Revolution • Communists taking control of Hungary and staging revolts in Italy and Germany • The Immense increase in organized labor during WWI • 1/5 of the nations workers participated in strikes in 1919. • Demands for increase in pay and shorter work days • 365,000 steelworkers 400,000 miners

7. Crackdown • During the 1920s, the government and corporations began a massive crackdown on Labor • The US Supreme Court abolished minimum wage laws for women, overturned child labor laws and outlawed picketing. • Corporations used blacklists, prevented free speech and assembly and employed guards to prevent organization.

8. Examples • An immigrant shouts “To Hell with the United States” and is killed. The killer is acquitted within a few minutes. • A crowd claps and cheers when sailor shot a man for refusing to stand during the Star Spangled Banner at a WWI victory pageant. • A clothing-store clerk is jailed for 6 months for commenting that Lenin was “one of the brainiest” world leaders.

9. Chicagoans Cheer Tar Who Shot Man • Sailor Wounds Pageant Spectator Disrespectful to Flag. • Chicago, May 6—Disrespect for the American flag and a show of resentment toward the thousands who participated in a victory loan pageant here tonight may cost George Goddard his life. He was shot down by a sailor of the United States navy when he did not stand and remove his hat while the band was playing the “Star-Spangled Banner.” • Goddard had a seat of vantage in the open amphitheater. When he failed to stand he was the most conspicuous figure among the throng. When he fell at the report of the “sailor’s” gun the crowd burst into cheers and hand-clapping. When Goddard failed to respond to the first strains of the national anthem Samuel Hagerman, sailor in the guard of honor, asked him to get up. • “What for?” demanded Goddard. • "Hagerman touched him with his bayonet. • “Get up. Off with your hat.” • Goddard muttered and drew a pistol. • With military precision Hagerman stepped back a pace and slipped a shell into his gun. • Goddard started away. As the last notes of the anthem sounded the sailor commanded him to halt. Then he fired into the air. • “Halt!” • Goddard paid no attention. • The sailor aimed and fired three times. Goddard fell wounded. Each shot found its mark. • When he [Goddard] was searched, an automatic pistol, in addition to the one he had drawn, was found. Another pistol and fifty cartridges were found in a bag he carried. He said he was a tinsmith, out of work. Papers showed he had been at Vancouver and Seattle and it was believed by the authorities he had come here for the I.W.W. convention. Source: Washington Post, 7 May 1919, 2.

10. Sacco and VanzettiGuilty Until Proven Innocent • Sacco- Shoe Maker • Vanzetti-Fish Peddler • Anarchist Italian immigrants who supported violent revolution. • Accused of robbing a paymaster in Braintree, Mass. • A gun was loosely linked to the killing but evidence was flimsy • Neither man had a criminal record • Key defense evidence was not admitted • Jury foreman used unsavory stereotypes to describe the two during the trial. • The judge even reminded the jury at one point to remember their own “true American citizenship.” • Both men were sentenced to death and consequently electrocuted in 1927 • After the trial the presiding judge commented “did you see what I did with those anarchistic bastards the other day?” • Today, Sacco Guilty, Vanzetti not

11. Reminder: Immigrant Restrictions • 1920 Immigration Quotas= 2% of 1910 Census • 1924 Changed= 2% of 1890 quotas • This change was made to target “New Immigrants” specifically. It was extremely effective in limiting those many saw as “the problem.”

12. Racial Issues • Blacks demanded rights since they had fought in war • 14.4 % death rate v 6.3% white • Blacks not allowed to march in Paris victory parade • Many blacks had moved from the south • Demographics in the North Changed • Blacks often worked as strikebreakers • Resulting racial tensions were ubiquitous in the north. • 25 anti-black riots in 1919

13. 1910 v 1930 • In 1910, 9 of 10 blacks lived in south • 1.5 million moved north during WWI • Detroit's black pop increased 611% • Congregated to boroughs of cites like Harlem

14. The Reemergence of the KKK • Post-WWI cultural changes threatened tradition “American” culture • Black migration led to demographic changes • The influx of immigrants in the beginning of the century • New emphasis on the urban culture • KKK • Edward Clarke and Bessie Tyler • Enlisted members through commission payments. • Emphasized nativism • Promoted prohibition • Blamed Af. Am, Jews, Catholics, and Immigrants

15. Profound Influences • By 1924 the Klan dominated 24 of the 48 state legislatures • Blocked the nomination of NYC Catholic, Al Smith into the senate. • More than 3 million members • Men and Women, Urban and Rural, One Members Contribution • Head of Indiana Klan, David Curtis Stephenson (Made a million selling robes and hoods), • He defended prohibition but drank like a fish • He was Convicted for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 28 year-old woman • Many left the Klan as a result

16. Major anti-black riots • Tulsa, Oklahoma • Black community destroyed including 23 churches • Why: Young black man stumbled into a white elevator operator while getting off the elevator • Newspapers included the following: • Rosewood, Florida • White mob from Georgia burns a town looking for a rapist. • The only structure left standing is the only white-owned home in town. • One man forced to dig his own grave • A blacksmith was lynched

17. Harlem RenaissanceA celebration of black culture • Between 1910 and 1920 an explosion of literature and art • Associated Negro Press • 500 black magazines and newspapers • Carter Wilson • Founded 1st Negro Historical Society as well as the Journal of Negro History

18. Figures of the Renaissance • Writers and Poets • Countee Cullen • Langston Hughes • Zora Neale Hurston • Paul Robeson • Musicians • Duke Ellington • Count Bassie • Louis Armstrong • Fatts Waller • Political Leaders • W.E.B. Dubois • Civil rights activist • Marcus Garvey • Back to Africa Movement • Black pride and movement to return to homeland • James Weldon Johnson • NYU professor • Writer

19. Langston HughesI, Too, Sing America • I, too, sing America.I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow strong.Tomorrow,I'll be at the tableWhen company comes.Nobody'll dareSay to me,"Eat in the kitchen,"Then.Besides,They'll see how beautiful I amAnd be ashamed--I, too, am America.

20. Southern trees bear a strange fruitBlood on the leaves and blood at the rootBlack bodies swingin' in the Southern breezeStrange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees Pastoral scene of the gallant SouthThe bulging eyes and the twisted mouthScent of magnolia, sweet and freshThen the sudden smell of burning flesh Here is the fruit for the crows to pluckFor the rain to gather, for the wind to suckFor the sun to rot, for the tree to dropHere is a strange and bitter crop Meeropol-Billy Holiday Late 30sStrange Fruit

22. Prohibition • January 16th, 1920 • Anti-Saloon League • Women’s Christian Temperance Movement • Women reformers concerned with child neglect, domestic abuse. • Industrialists concerned with productivity • Made progress during WWI • Anti-German sentiment (most breweries owned by Germans). • Grains for food, not alcohol.

25. Results of Prohibition • Initially looked positive– Alcohol related deaths down 80% in 1921 from pre-war levels • 30-50% less consumption • 20% fewer deaths from cirrhosis. • Crackdowns did little good • Mo Smith and Izzie Einstein, two NYC agents dressed in disguises • 7000 arrests in NYC led to a Whopping 17 convictions. • IRS was responsible for enforcement till ’30 • By 1925, NYC and 5 other states prohibited police from investigating violations

26. What in the world r u thinking Izzie and Moe?

27. Speakeasies, Bootleggers and Rum Runners • By 1927—30,000 speakeasies (this is 2x the number of legal bars that existed prior to prohibition) • Doctors prescribed liquor as medication to be obtained legally at the drug store • An estimated 100,000 Cleveland residents made alcohol. • Bootleggers included glamorized organized crime leaders such as Capone • The image of became ingrained in American culture.

30. The ugly side of gangs • Gang clashes • Corruption • Stripping morals from society • St. Valentines Day Massacre

31. Carrie Nation • When I found I could effect nothing through the officials, I was sad, indeed. I saw that Kansas homes, hearts and souls were to be sacrificed. I had lost all the hopes of my young life through drink, I saw the terrible results that would befall others. I felt that I had rather die than see the saloons come back to Kansas. I felt desperate. I took this to God daily, feeling He only, could rescue. On the 5th of June [1900], before retiring, I threw myself face downward at the foot of my bed in my home in Medicine Lodge. I poured out my grief in agony to God, in about this strain: "Oh Lord you see the treason in Kansas, they are going to break the mothers' hearts, they are going to send the boys to drunkards' graves and a drunkard's hell. I have exhausted my means, Oh Lord, you have plenty of ways. You have used the base things and the weak things, use me to save Kansas. I have but one life to give you, if I had a thousand, I would give them all, please show me something to do." The next morning I was awakened by a voice which seemed to me speaking in my heart, these words, "GO TO KIOWA," and my hands were lifted and thrown down and the words, "I'LL STAND BY YOU." The words, "Go to Kiowa," were spoken in a murmuring, musical tone, low and soft, but "I'll stand by you," was very clear, positive and emphatic. I was impressed with a great inspiration, the interpretation was very plain, it was this: "Take something in your hands, and throw at these places in Kiowa and smash them." I was very much relieved and overjoyed and was determined to be, "obedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19).

32. Symbol of the culture revolution Rebellious, energetic, outgoing Created a generational clash The older Americans did not approve of the way these young women acted Only represented a small number of American women but a tremendous symbol of change. 1913-1928 Fabric used to create a dress went from 19+ yards to 7 yards Short haircuts and Makeup Smoking and Drinking 1918-1928 cigs smoked doubled. 15% professionals 20% clerical Flappers

34. Women in Politics • 1920- Women could vote in all elections but only 35% did • More focused on local government • Jeannette Rankin won seat in house in 1916 • By 1928 there were 145 women in 28 state legislatures

35. The Era of the “Hero” • 1920s saw the rise of Individualism in America…Why??? • The emergence of mass media • Radio • Advertisements • Newspapers • Hollywood

36. 1910-1929 # of theaters from 5000 to 22,500. 1929—80 million tickets sold (125 mil Americans in US) 1927 “The Jazz Singer” the first “Talkie” “The Little Tramp” (Chaplin) continued silently. News print doubled from 1914-1927 Mergers and Tabloids (Quantity not Quality) Hearst said he wanted his paper to be “90% entertainment, 10% information” The News helped create homogeneity in America. Mass Media

39. Radio • Marconi- The radio • Frank Conrad- The inspiration • Sent sports scores and music over the air. KDKA in Pittsburgh (Westinghouse) • By 1922 500 stations • NBC linked stations so everyone heard the same thing • Advertising medium

41. Sports • Baseball and Boxing became a phenomenon in the 1920s due to mass marketing • Staged events drew thousands • New venues to host events • Yankee Stadium • Radio, Press and Advertising

42. Baseball • Yankee Stadium opened. Most other venues paled in comparison • The Sultan of Swat • George Herman Ruth “Babe” clobbered 60 homeruns in a season in 1927 • Clip

43. Boxing • Boxing drew tremendous crowds in the 20s and 30s • Madison Square Gardens fight night • Jack Dempsey– Seen as a ruthless and outstanding fighter inside the ring and a gentleman outside the ring made him an American hero

45. Charles Lindbergh The Spirit of St. Louis • Charles Lindbergh flew from Long Island to Paris France and became a national hero • 34 hour flight • 4 million greeted him in New York on his return

46. Charles Lindbergh (Lucky Lindy)

47. Objectives • To understand the various trends and changes to American business and economy in the 1920s Do Now • How did the 2nd KKK differ from the first? • What 2 events gave rise to the 2nd KKK

48. Do Now: To what degree do you think the government should regulate business • Objectives: Examine the political, economic and societal aspects of the 1920s

49. 1920s Business and Economy Consumerism and Economic Expansion

50. Following WWI • The rebounding of the economy was rapid • Between 1914 and 1926 wages rose more than 28% • The number of millionaires doubled