New York: CosmopolisSusan HinerHist 141-Fall 2011

The Roaring 20’s

• The great boom of 1920 saw the increased production of consumer goods and New York was the center of the marketplace and media

• Second industrial revolution and a ten year period of growth. Income and economic growth increased as well as the living conditions.

• First radio ad in 1922 was announced, followed by motion pictures• New York attracted the African American population and they had

their own place of residence in Harlem. In 1924, Jazz, the most exciting music of the era was being performed by black musicians. They also contributed as writers and poets

• Our two cultures were mixed and the music was integrated leading to the songs made by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong

• New forms of entertainment were created including Broadway musicals

• By 1927 New York was the capital of the American culture

Heights and Depths• In 1929 Walter P. Chrysler wanted to have the title of building the tallest

skyscraper in the world. Their was major competition between his building and the Bank of Manhattan.

• It appeared that the Bank of Manhattan building would win until one week after they finished, the Chrysler building erected the 185ft spire that was secretly built inside. The Chrysler building won at 1,048 feet

• October 23, 1929, the stock prices on Wall Street crashed and 10 billion dollars were wiped out.

• 16 million shares traded and 14 billion lost• Lost ten times more than the government budget• Houses and life savings lost• Bank withdrew funds• Led to the beginning of the Great Depression

Empire State

• After Al Smith was defeated by Hubert Hoover in the 1928 presidential election, John Jacob Raskob, a financial executive and key supporter of Smith, told him that he would build the tallest building in the world and make him president of it.

• Built on 34th street, the plan was to make it a port of call for air ships and use the interior for office space

• The construction began in 1929 with the demolition of the Waldorf Astoria• It was built with steel and bricks. The steel beams were made in

Pennsylvania and sent by rail within 20 hours. The beams were still warm when the construction crew received it

• Over 3,000 talented construction men finished the building in record time, 13 months. It opened on May 1, 1931 and stood as the tallest building for 40 years

• Mr. Raskob,’s plan for its commercial use failed due to the location of the building. Less than 30% of the office space was rented and the mooring mast was abandoned as well