THE JAZZ AGETHE JAZZ AGE1921-19291921-1929

American Culture...American Culture......changed in the 1920’s, although not ...changed in the 1920’s, although not everyone approved. Young people adopted everyone approved. Young people adopted new styles of dress, listened to new kinds new styles of dress, listened to new kinds of music, and had more independence of of music, and had more independence of than earlier generations.than earlier generations.

African American artists and entertainers African American artists and entertainers of the Harlem Renaissance reached a wide of the Harlem Renaissance reached a wide audience, helping overcome racial barriers audience, helping overcome racial barriers in American society. in American society.

Economic Policies of the Economic Policies of the 1920s1920s

Coolidge PolicyCoolidge Policy

Coolidge retained the Coolidge retained the most respected cabinet most respected cabinet members, Secretary of the members, Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon Treasury Andrew Mellon and Secretary of and Secretary of Commerce Herbert Commerce Herbert Hoover.Hoover.

Economic Policies of the Economic Policies of the 1920s1920s

Business PrinciplesBusiness Principles

Andrew Mellon applied Andrew Mellon applied business principles to business principles to correct the nation’s correct the nation’s budget deficit, reduce budget deficit, reduce government debt, and cut government debt, and cut taxes. He established the taxes. He established the Bureau of the Budget and Bureau of the Budget and the General Accounting the General Accounting Office to track spending.Office to track spending.

Business PrinciplesBusiness Principles• Mellon argued that if taxes were lower, businesses Mellon argued that if taxes were lower, businesses

and some consumers would spend and invest their and some consumers would spend and invest their extra money. This would cause the economy to extra money. This would cause the economy to grow, and Americans would earn more money. The grow, and Americans would earn more money. The government would then collect more in taxes. This government would then collect more in taxes. This idea is known today as idea is known today as supply side economicssupply side economics, or , or the “trickle-down” theory.the “trickle-down” theory.

Economic Policies of the 1920sEconomic Policies of the 1920sLOWER TAXESLOWER TAXES

• At Mellon’s urging, Congress At Mellon’s urging, Congress dramatically reduced tax dramatically reduced tax rates.rates.

• By 1928, Congress had By 1928, Congress had reduced the income tax rate reduced the income tax rate most Americans paid to 0.5%, most Americans paid to 0.5%, down from 4%. down from 4%.

• They cut the rate for the They cut the rate for the wealthiest Americans to 25%, wealthiest Americans to 25%, down from 73%. down from 73%.

• The federal budget fell from The federal budget fell from $6.4 billion to less than $3 $6.4 billion to less than $3 billion in seven years.billion in seven years.

Economic Policies of the Economic Policies of the 1920s1920s

Hoover’s BeliefsHoover’s Beliefs

Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover wanted Herbert Hoover wanted businesses to form businesses to form associations to share associations to share information with the information with the federal government, what federal government, what he called “he called “cooperative cooperative individualismindividualism.”.”

He believed this system He believed this system would reduce costs and would reduce costs and promote economic promote economic efficiency.efficiency.

Trade and Arms ControlTrade and Arms ControlU.S. Policies U.S. Policies

•Although it did not join the League of Although it did not join the League of Nations, the United States became Nations, the United States became heavily involved economically with heavily involved economically with other nations. Under the Dawes Plan, other nations. Under the Dawes Plan, American banks loaned money to American banks loaned money to German banks so the Germans could German banks so the Germans could make reparations payments to make reparations payments to European countries instead of European countries instead of defaulting on the money due. At U.S. defaulting on the money due. At U.S. urging, European countries agreed to urging, European countries agreed to accept lower payments from accept lower payments from Germany. This allowed Britain and Germany. This allowed Britain and France to repay war debts and France to repay war debts and European countries to buy American European countries to buy American exports. Peace was maintained exports. Peace was maintained through trade.through trade.

League of NationsLeague of Nations• After World War I, President After World War I, President

Woodrow Wilson proposed The Woodrow Wilson proposed The League of Nations, an League of Nations, an international organization international organization dedicated to world peace. The dedicated to world peace. The Senate rejected the treaty that Senate rejected the treaty that included this proposal. included this proposal. Isolationists did not believe the Isolationists did not believe the United States should become United States should become involved in the affairs of European involved in the affairs of European countries. Republican senators countries. Republican senators refused to financially support an refused to financially support an international organization. The international organization. The League, represented by 42 League, represented by 42 nations, had some limited nations, had some limited success, but the absence of the success, but the absence of the United States was crucial, as was United States was crucial, as was the founding principle that it the founding principle that it could not use military force.could not use military force.

Trade and Arms ControlTrade and Arms ControlArms Control Arms Control

•Despite poor economies, European nations expanded their Despite poor economies, European nations expanded their navies, which hurt their ability to pay their debts. This led tonavies, which hurt their ability to pay their debts. This led to

• The Washington ConferenceThe Washington Conference At this 1921 conference in At this 1921 conference in Washington, D.C., Secretary of State Charles Hughes Washington, D.C., Secretary of State Charles Hughes proposed that each nation destroy some warships and proposed that each nation destroy some warships and halt the building of new ones for 10 years.halt the building of new ones for 10 years.

• The Kellogg-Briand PactThe Kellogg-Briand Pact This agreement was signed by 15 This agreement was signed by 15 nations in 1928 to settle disputes by peaceful means nations in 1928 to settle disputes by peaceful means instead of war. It had no binding force but was hailed as a instead of war. It had no binding force but was hailed as a victory for peace.victory for peace.

• The London Naval Treaties The London Naval Treaties In 1930 five naval powers met In 1930 five naval powers met in London to reach agreement on the number of warships in London to reach agreement on the number of warships in their navies. This created a temporary halt in the arms in their navies. This created a temporary halt in the arms race until the mid-1930s.race until the mid-1930s.

Rise of New IndustriesRise of New IndustriesBy the 1920’s, the automobile had become part of By the 1920’s, the automobile had become part of American life. A 1925 survey conducted in Muncie, American life. A 1925 survey conducted in Muncie,

Indiana, found that 21 out of 26 families who owned Indiana, found that 21 out of 26 families who owned cars did not have bathtubs with running water. As one cars did not have bathtubs with running water. As one

farm wife explained, “You can’t ride to town in a farm wife explained, “You can’t ride to town in a bathtub.”bathtub.”

Increased automobile ownership was just one example Increased automobile ownership was just one example of American’s rising standard of living. Real per capita of American’s rising standard of living. Real per capita earning soared between 1923 and 1929 even as work earning soared between 1923 and 1929 even as work hours decreased. In 1923 U.S. Steel cut its daily work hours decreased. In 1923 U.S. Steel cut its daily work shift from 12 hours to 8 hours. In 1926 Henry Ford cut shift from 12 hours to 8 hours. In 1926 Henry Ford cut the workweek for his employees for six days to five, the workweek for his employees for six days to five,

and farm machinery company International Harvester and farm machinery company International Harvester instituted an annual two-week paid vacation for instituted an annual two-week paid vacation for

employees.employees.

Mass ProductionMass Production• Large-scale Large-scale manufacturing manufacturing done with done with machinery, machinery, made these made these changes changes possible by possible by increasing increasing supply and supply and reducing costs. reducing costs. Workers made Workers made more and the more and the good they good they bought less.bought less.

Mass ProductionMass Production• Ford produced large Ford produced large

numbers of cars with numbers of cars with an assembly line that an assembly line that broke down building a broke down building a car into simple tasks car into simple tasks repeated by workers. repeated by workers. Before the assembly Before the assembly line, building a car took line, building a car took 12 hours. By 1925 a 12 hours. By 1925 a new car came off the new car came off the assembly line every 93 assembly line every 93 minutes.minutes.

AssemblAssembly Liney Line

• The moving assembly line divided operations into The moving assembly line divided operations into simple tasks and cut unnecessary motion to a simple tasks and cut unnecessary motion to a minimum. minimum.

• In 1913 automaker Henry Ford installed the first In 1913 automaker Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line at a plant in Highland Park, moving assembly line at a plant in Highland Park, Michigan.Michigan.

• The price for a Model T dropped from $490 in 1914 to $295 in 1924. The price for a Model T dropped from $490 in 1914 to $295 in 1924. Lower prices meant higher sales. Workers’ average yearly earnings Lower prices meant higher sales. Workers’ average yearly earnings grew 22 percent during the 1920s. Companies cut shifts to 8 hours. grew 22 percent during the 1920s. Companies cut shifts to 8 hours. Workers had more money to spend and more time to spend it. Cars Workers had more money to spend and more time to spend it. Cars enabled people to live farther from work. Auto commuters could enabled people to live farther from work. Auto commuters could drive to work from the suburbs.drive to work from the suburbs.

• You may think that Henry Ford invented the automobile and the You may think that Henry Ford invented the automobile and the assembly line. In fact, the automobile had actually been invented assembly line. In fact, the automobile had actually been invented some 25 years earlier, and the assembly line had been used during some 25 years earlier, and the assembly line had been used during the rise of industry in the late 1800s. Ford revolutionized the the rise of industry in the late 1800s. Ford revolutionized the industry by integrating the moving assembly line into the industry by integrating the moving assembly line into the automobile production process.automobile production process.

• As new industries such as the car industry As new industries such as the car industry developed, other industries rose to supply it. developed, other industries rose to supply it. Among these were oil, rubber, and parts Among these were oil, rubber, and parts manufacturers.manufacturers.

• Home convenience appliances such as this wringer washing Home convenience appliances such as this wringer washing machine significantly changed the lives of millions of machine significantly changed the lives of millions of American homemakers.American homemakers.

• Traditional and time-consuming methods included steps to Traditional and time-consuming methods included steps to wash, rinse, and wring clothes. Each step was done entirely wash, rinse, and wring clothes. Each step was done entirely by hand, and was often physically taxing. “Wash Day” was, by hand, and was often physically taxing. “Wash Day” was, indeed, an all-day affair.indeed, an all-day affair.

• Machines such as this might run on electricity or a small gas Machines such as this might run on electricity or a small gas engine. The machine would automatically agitate the engine. The machine would automatically agitate the clothes.clothes.

• At the end of the wash time, the wet clothes were fed At the end of the wash time, the wet clothes were fed through two tight rollers operated by a hand crank. This through two tight rollers operated by a hand crank. This avoided the tiring process of manually twisting the clothes avoided the tiring process of manually twisting the clothes to wring out the water.to wring out the water.

• A chore that took a full day now might take just half a day. A chore that took a full day now might take just half a day. The operator still had to attach and detach hoses, add soap The operator still had to attach and detach hoses, add soap at appropriate times, as well as add and dump out water.at appropriate times, as well as add and dump out water.

The Consumer SocietyThe Consumer SocietyEasy Consumer Credit Easy Consumer Credit

One notable aspect of the economic boom was the One notable aspect of the economic boom was the growth of individual borrowing. CREDIT! Credit had growth of individual borrowing. CREDIT! Credit had

been available before the 1920’s, but most Americans been available before the 1920’s, but most Americans had considered debt shameful. had considered debt shameful.

Now attitudes toward debt started changing, as people Now attitudes toward debt started changing, as people began believing in their ability to pay their debts over began believing in their ability to pay their debts over

time.time.

Many listened to the sales pitch, “Buy now and pay in Many listened to the sales pitch, “Buy now and pay in easy installments,” and began to accumulate debt.easy installments,” and began to accumulate debt.

Americans bought 75% of their radios and 60% of their Americans bought 75% of their radios and 60% of their automobiles on the installment plan. Some started automobiles on the installment plan. Some started buying on a credit rate that exceeded their income.buying on a credit rate that exceeded their income.

• African Americans and Native Americans were African Americans and Native Americans were excluded from the economic boom. Nativism excluded from the economic boom. Nativism created strong anti-immigrant feelings among many created strong anti-immigrant feelings among many Americans. Workers in these groups were offered Americans. Workers in these groups were offered the lowest-paying, most dangerous jobs—if they the lowest-paying, most dangerous jobs—if they were offered jobs at all. They were rarely able to were offered jobs at all. They were rarely able to take advantage of welfare capitalism or union take advantage of welfare capitalism or union protection.protection.

• For most farmers, especially those For most farmers, especially those in the Deep South, the 1920s were in the Deep South, the 1920s were difficult:difficult:

• Increased production of crops Increased production of crops decreased prices.decreased prices.

• Tariffs placed on imports created a Tariffs placed on imports created a backlash against American backlash against American agricultural products in foreign agricultural products in foreign markets.markets.

• President Coolidge did not support President Coolidge did not support farmers. When Congress passed the farmers. When Congress passed the McNary-Haugen Bill that allowed McNary-Haugen Bill that allowed government to purchase surpluses government to purchase surpluses to support farmers, Coolidge vetoed to support farmers, Coolidge vetoed it. Unlike the airline industry, it. Unlike the airline industry, farmers received no government farmers received no government help.help.

NativismNativism

• While the economy prospered in the 1920s, While the economy prospered in the 1920s, racial fears and ethnic intolerance grew. The racial fears and ethnic intolerance grew. The aftermath of World War I saw prejudice toward aftermath of World War I saw prejudice toward Germans and Communists. Crime and other Germans and Communists. Crime and other social problems were often blamed on social problems were often blamed on immigrants. This led many Americans to support immigrants. This led many Americans to support nativism—the belief that immigrants threatened nativism—the belief that immigrants threatened the American way of life and that the United the American way of life and that the United States must take steps to keep its culture, States must take steps to keep its culture, society, and people safe from outsiders.society, and people safe from outsiders.

Sacco & VanzettiSacco & Vanzetti• The murder trial of Italian immigrants Nicola The murder trial of Italian immigrants Nicola

Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti increased anti-Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti increased anti-immigrant sentiment. The men, who were immigrant sentiment. The men, who were anarchists (a person who believes that there anarchists (a person who believes that there should be no government), were found guilty should be no government), were found guilty and executed despite flimsy evidence.and executed despite flimsy evidence.

KKKKKK• The Ku Klux Klan, which had sought to terrorize The Ku Klux Klan, which had sought to terrorize

African Americans in the South after the Civil War, African Americans in the South after the Civil War, expanded in the 1920s to target Catholics, Jews, expanded in the 1920s to target Catholics, Jews, immigrants, and other “un-American” groups. Its immigrants, and other “un-American” groups. Its goal was to preserve the United States as a nation goal was to preserve the United States as a nation they believed belonged to white Protestants.they believed belonged to white Protestants.

• William J. Simmons founded the new Ku Klux Klan in William J. Simmons founded the new Ku Klux Klan in 1915, with a pledge to preserve America’s whites. 1915, with a pledge to preserve America’s whites.

• By 1924, membership was close to 4 million as it By 1924, membership was close to 4 million as it spread beyond the south into the North and West.spread beyond the south into the North and West.

• Klan membership began to decline in the late Klan membership began to decline in the late 1920’s, mainly due to scandals and power struggles 1920’s, mainly due to scandals and power struggles among its leaders. among its leaders.

A Clash of CulturesA Clash of Cultures

WOMEN

• Suffrage PassageSuffrage Passage of the Nineteenth Amendment led of the Nineteenth Amendment led women to push for social change in other aspects of women to push for social change in other aspects of American life. For example, changing attitudes American life. For example, changing attitudes toward marriage emphasized the romance, pleasure, toward marriage emphasized the romance, pleasure, and friendship between partners.and friendship between partners.

• Social MoresSocial Mores The automobile allowed young people to The automobile allowed young people to socialize in public rather than at home. Shorter socialize in public rather than at home. Shorter “bobbed” hair and movie-star glamour changed “bobbed” hair and movie-star glamour changed fashion. Women known as flappers smoked fashion. Women known as flappers smoked cigarettes, drank liquor, and wore more revealing cigarettes, drank liquor, and wore more revealing clothing.clothing.

• Educated Professionals Educated Professionals Increasing numbers of Increasing numbers of working-class married women worked to support their working-class married women worked to support their families. Single women entered the workforce to families. Single women entered the workforce to establish financial independence. Women’s earnings establish financial independence. Women’s earnings allowed them to become greater consumers. Women’s allowed them to become greater consumers. Women’s colleges encouraged their students to pursue careers colleges encouraged their students to pursue careers and to challenge traditional ideas about women’s and to challenge traditional ideas about women’s roles in society.roles in society.

Religious Religious FundamentalismFundamentalism

Religious FundamentalismReligious Fundamentalism• While many Americans embraced the new morality, While many Americans embraced the new morality,

others did not welcome these changes and feared others did not welcome these changes and feared that the country was losing its traditional values.that the country was losing its traditional values.

• Many joined a religious movement known as Many joined a religious movement known as Fundamentalism.Fundamentalism.

• Fundamentalists believed the Bible was literally Fundamentalists believed the Bible was literally true and without error. They rejected Charles true and without error. They rejected Charles Darwin’s theory of Darwin’s theory of evolutionevolution (which said that all (which said that all life forms had developed from lower forms)life forms had developed from lower forms)..

• They embraced They embraced creationismcreationism (the belief that God (the belief that God created the world as described in the Bible)created the world as described in the Bible)..

• TemperanceTemperance Some Americans supported a ban on the Some Americans supported a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol. Formed in the 1830s, the sale and consumption of alcohol. Formed in the 1830s, the American Temperance Society spearheaded the American Temperance Society spearheaded the Temperance Movement—as it was known—for religious Temperance Movement—as it was known—for religious and social reasons.and social reasons.

• Enforcement Failures Passed in 1920Enforcement Failures Passed in 1920, the Eighteenth , the Eighteenth Amendment, or Volstead Act, proved very difficult to Amendment, or Volstead Act, proved very difficult to enforce. Under the Volstead Act, U.S. Treasury personnel enforce. Under the Volstead Act, U.S. Treasury personnel had authority to enforce the new law, but many Americans had authority to enforce the new law, but many Americans ignored it. In cities they bought alcohol in "speakeasies"; ignored it. In cities they bought alcohol in "speakeasies"; in rural areas, they bought it from bootleggers.in rural areas, they bought it from bootleggers.

• Organized CrimeOrganized Crime flourished by smuggling and flourished by smuggling and distributing liquor. Gangsters such as Al Capone paid off distributing liquor. Gangsters such as Al Capone paid off politicians and law enforcement officials to turn a blind politicians and law enforcement officials to turn a blind eye to the illegal activity. The struggle by federal agents eye to the illegal activity. The struggle by federal agents to enforce the law was a bloody one, claiming the lives of to enforce the law was a bloody one, claiming the lives of more than 70 agents. In 1933 the Twenty-first Amendment more than 70 agents. In 1933 the Twenty-first Amendment ended Prohibition.ended Prohibition.

Cultural InnovationsCultural Innovations

• Listen to this Listen to this musicmusic of the 1920’s of the 1920’s

• What strikes you about the music of the era?What strikes you about the music of the era?

• In what ways does jazz music “match up” with In what ways does jazz music “match up” with or reflect the more individual, unconventional or reflect the more individual, unconventional attitude of the 1920s?attitude of the 1920s?

John MarinJohn Marin• One of the most influential early modern artists, One of the most influential early modern artists,

he was best known for abstract landscapes and he was best known for abstract landscapes and watercolors depicting cities as living landscapes.watercolors depicting cities as living landscapes.

Charles SheelerCharles Sheeler• An artist who was among the first to An artist who was among the first to

incorporate photography into his work, Sheeler incorporate photography into his work, Sheeler emphasized linear precision in his work.emphasized linear precision in his work.

Edward HopperEdward Hopper• A realist painter, Hopper’s work emphasized A realist painter, Hopper’s work emphasized

isolation across both rural and urban America.isolation across both rural and urban America.

Georgia O’KeefeGeorgia O’Keefe• Mainly known for her naturalistic imagery, Mainly known for her naturalistic imagery,

O’Keefe was chiefly responsible for legitimizing O’Keefe was chiefly responsible for legitimizing American art across the globe.American art across the globe.

Literature of the 1920sLiterature of the 1920s

•Diverse writing stylesDiverse writing styles

•Carl Sandburg – Used poetry to glorify Carl Sandburg – Used poetry to glorify everyday life and common placeseveryday life and common places

•F. Scott Fitzgerald – Fostered a criticism of F. Scott Fitzgerald – Fostered a criticism of upper classesupper classes

•Eugene O’Neill – Wrote to express realism Eugene O’Neill – Wrote to express realism and tragedyand tragedy

•Ernest Hemingway – Developed a literature Ernest Hemingway – Developed a literature of the postwar “Lost Generation”of the postwar “Lost Generation”

Popularity of Movies, Radio, and SportsPopularity of Movies, Radio, and Sports

• Silent films and “talkies” took the nation Silent films and “talkies” took the nation by storm, creating a new breed of celebrity by storm, creating a new breed of celebrity and entertainment.and entertainment.

• Movie theaters became especially popular Movie theaters became especially popular in Southern states like Florida because in Southern states like Florida because they provided air-conditioning.they provided air-conditioning.

• Popularity of radio broadcasts increased as Popularity of radio broadcasts increased as several powerful radio broadcasters several powerful radio broadcasters developed.developed.

• Thanks to the new media technologies, Thanks to the new media technologies, sports such as baseball became more sports such as baseball became more popular than ever.popular than ever.