Essential Questions:
5-4.1 What was daily life like in the post World War I period of the 1920s?
5-4.1 What was daily life like in the post World War I period of the 1920s?
The economic boom period of the 1920s had a significant effect on the daily lives of many,
but not all Americans. Although the 1920s are often called the “Roaring Twenties,” it was not a good
time for all Americans. The standard of living rose as new technology, such as automobiles,
airplanes, radios, and movies that were mass produced on assembly lines became available. New appliances and an increased reliance on electricity to run them also changed the daily lives of many Americans, particularly women. These new advances changed the everyday lives of Americans. Some groups such as sharecroppers, farmers, and underpaid factory workers were not able to enjoy the rising standard of living. They could not afford to buy the automobiles and appliances that they helped to manufacture. Only extremely wealthy Americans were able to take advantage of air travel. American culture came to be more standardized as people embraced the mass culture offered by the movies and radio. Americans were able to communicate and share experiences through the use of this new technology.
but not all Americans. Although the 1920s are often called the “Roaring Twenties,” it was not a good
time for all Americans. The standard of living rose as new technology, such as automobiles,
airplanes, radios, and movies that were mass produced on assembly lines became available. New appliances and an increased reliance on electricity to run them also changed the daily lives of many Americans, particularly women. These new advances changed the everyday lives of Americans. Some groups such as sharecroppers, farmers, and underpaid factory workers were not able to enjoy the rising standard of living. They could not afford to buy the automobiles and appliances that they helped to manufacture. Only extremely wealthy Americans were able to take advantage of air travel. American culture came to be more standardized as people embraced the mass culture offered by the movies and radio. Americans were able to communicate and share experiences through the use of this new technology.
The Nineteenth Amendment, passed in 1920 after the government acknowledged the
contributions of women during World War I (the Great War), removed gender restrictions for
voting allowing women to vote. Except in the western states where they were a cherished
minority, women citizens rarely had a “voice” in their government. This was a major step to a
more democratic government for the United States because more people were represented after
the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment
contributions of women during World War I (the Great War), removed gender restrictions for
voting allowing women to vote. Except in the western states where they were a cherished
minority, women citizens rarely had a “voice” in their government. This was a major step to a
more democratic government for the United States because more people were represented after
the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment
The Great Migration of African Americans from southern rural to northern urban areas was the result of push and pull factors. Jim Crow laws and lynchings, as well as the economic hardship of sharecropping, the effects of the boll weevil, and the lack of alternative economic opportunities prompted many to leave the South. Job opportunities in the factories, especially during World War I, brought African Americans to the cities of the North and Midwest.
The Harlem Renaissance was a result of this migration. As African Americans migrated, they took their culture with them. Gathered together in cities, African Americans had an opportunity to allow their culture to flourish. Writers, artists and musicians celebrated the African contributions to American life through their art. Brought to France by African American soldiers in World War I, jazz music became the newest trend. When it was brought home to the States, it became popular among whites as well as African Americans.
|
Racial and ethnic conflict also affected the lives of Americans during the 1920s. Although
segregation was not enforced by law in the northern cities, it was widely practiced. African
Americans were often the last hired and the first fired. Some riots in the cities targeted African
Americans, especially immediately after World War I when racial and unemployment violence
reached a peak during the Red Scare of 1919. White Americans in both the North and the South
were determined to dilute African American aspirations for participation on a more equitable
basis even though many African American soldiers had fought in the “war to make the world
safe for democracy.” Anti-immigrant feelings, which intensified at the end of the previous
century, degenerated further. More Catholics and Jewish immigrants came from the southern and
eastern parts of Europe and became additional targets of a new Ku Klux Klan. Laws establishing
immigration quotas were designed to limit the number of immigrants from eastern and southern
Europe. Prohibition outlawed the production and distribution of alcohol and was intended to
control the immigrant population. The law was widely ignored and speakeasies and bootleg
liquor gave rise to crime. The amendment was repealed in the early 1930s.
segregation was not enforced by law in the northern cities, it was widely practiced. African
Americans were often the last hired and the first fired. Some riots in the cities targeted African
Americans, especially immediately after World War I when racial and unemployment violence
reached a peak during the Red Scare of 1919. White Americans in both the North and the South
were determined to dilute African American aspirations for participation on a more equitable
basis even though many African American soldiers had fought in the “war to make the world
safe for democracy.” Anti-immigrant feelings, which intensified at the end of the previous
century, degenerated further. More Catholics and Jewish immigrants came from the southern and
eastern parts of Europe and became additional targets of a new Ku Klux Klan. Laws establishing
immigration quotas were designed to limit the number of immigrants from eastern and southern
Europe. Prohibition outlawed the production and distribution of alcohol and was intended to
control the immigrant population. The law was widely ignored and speakeasies and bootleg
liquor gave rise to crime. The amendment was repealed in the early 1930s.