Warren G. HardingWarren G. HardingA return to normalcy A return to normalcy

Time of economic growth Time of economic growth After Recession of 1921-1922 After Recession of 1921-1922 Manufacturing rose 60% in 1920s Manufacturing rose 60% in 1920s

Per Capita income grew by 34%Per Capita income grew by 34%

Cause: Cause: European industry debilitated European industry debilitated

Rise in technology Rise in technology

Businesses tended to concentrate in Businesses tended to concentrate in large corporationslarge corporations

U. S. SteelU. S. SteelGeneral MotorsGeneral MotorsTextile industriesTextile industries

Throughout industry: strong concern for Throughout industry: strong concern for over-productionover-productionThe dream was to stabilize the economy The dream was to stabilize the economy

More than 2/3 of Americans lived no More than 2/3 of Americans lived no better than “minimum comfort level”better than “minimum comfort level”

Half of that 2/3 below level of “subsistenceHalf of that 2/3 below level of “subsistence and poverty”and poverty”

Henry Ford Henry Ford Shorter work weekShorter work weekRaised wagesRaised wagesPaid vacations Paid vacations

U. S. Steel U. S. Steel

Tried to improve safety Tried to improve safety and sanitationand sanitationWorkers became eligible Workers became eligible for pensions on retirement for pensions on retirement

Welfare capitalism Welfare capitalism Paternalistic techniques adopted by some Paternalistic techniques adopted by some employers to avoid disruptive labor employers to avoid disruptive labor unrest and forestall the growth of unrest and forestall the growth of independent trade unions.independent trade unions.Brought many workers important Brought many workers important economic benefits—but did not help themeconomic benefits—but did not help them gain any real control over their fates gain any real control over their fates

Wage & work situation 1920s Wage & work situation 1920s Workers: increases proportionately far Workers: increases proportionately far below increases in production and profits below increases in production and profits Unskilled workers: 2%--1920-1926Unskilled workers: 2%--1920-1926Average annual income of workersAverage annual income of workers

$1,500; $1,800 considered $1,500; $1,800 considered necessary to maintain a decentnecessary to maintain a decent standard of livingstandard of livingAmerican workers relatively impoverished American workers relatively impoverished and powerlessand powerless

Wage & work situation 1920s Wage & work situation 1920s Large portion of work force: out of work Large portion of work force: out of work for at least some period during the for at least some period during the decadedecadeTechnology made many jobs obsoleteTechnology made many jobs obsoleteWilliam Green (AFL) opposed strikes William Green (AFL) opposed strikes

Wage & work situation 1920s Wage & work situation 1920s Pink Collar Jobs Pink Collar Jobs Low-paying service occupations:Low-paying service occupations:secretaries, sales clerks, telephone secretaries, sales clerks, telephone operators operators

A. Philip Randolph A. Philip Randolph Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Porters

19251925Vigorous unionVigorous unionLed to increasedLed to increased wages, shorterwages, shorter working days,working days, other benefitsother benefits

Japanese immigrants Japanese immigrants Issei: born in Japan and Issei: born in Japan and emigrated to U. S. emigrated to U. S.

Nisei: children of Japanese Nisei: children of Japanese immigrants, born in USA immigrants, born in USA

Anti-Filipino riots in CAAnti-Filipino riots in CA in 1925in 19251934—legislation that 1934—legislation that eliminated immigration fromeliminated immigration from PhilippinesPhilippines

Mexican immigrants Mexican immigrants 1920s: 500,000 1920s: 500,000 Most lived in cities of Most lived in cities of CA, TX, AZ and NMCA, TX, AZ and NMBarrios: few services Barrios: few services

Farmers Farmers Increased production Increased production

Did not stimulate Did not stimulate consumer demandconsumer demandResultResult OverproductionOverproduction Decline in food pricesDecline in food prices Severe in drop in Severe in drop in farmer incomefarmer income Average farmer made 25% of average Average farmer made 25% of average non-farmernon-farmer >3 million people left farming >3 million people left farming

The Media The Media Sensational stories helped newspaper Sensational stories helped newspaper circulation continue to rise.circulation continue to rise.Tabloids published by Tabloids published by people like William people like William Randolph Hearst Randolph Hearst

The Media The Media Mass circulation magazines Mass circulation magazines also flourished also flourished

Radio emerged as the most Radio emerged as the most powerful means of mass powerful means of mass communication in the 1920s communication in the 1920s

The Media The Media

For the first time, Americans For the first time, Americans heard news as it happened heard news as it happened

News, sports, and music; but News, sports, and music; but also drama, comedy and variety also drama, comedy and variety

Leisure Leisure 1929—Americans spent $4.5 billion 1929—Americans spent $4.5 billion for entertainment.for entertainment.Age of fads and new leisure pastimesAge of fads and new leisure pastimessuch as crossword puzzles and such as crossword puzzles and playing the Chinese game of mahjongplaying the Chinese game of mahjong

Also a time of flagpole sitting, ultra-Also a time of flagpole sitting, ultra-races and dance marathons races and dance marathons

By 1925, filmmaking—nation’s fourth By 1925, filmmaking—nation’s fourth largest industry. largest industry.

More than 20,000 movie More than 20,000 movie houses within the U. S. houses within the U. S.

Hollywood, CA became Hollywood, CA became the movie capital of the the movie capital of the U. S. because of good U. S. because of good climate and varied terrain climate and varied terrain

Some great stars of silent films: Some great stars of silent films: Theda Bara (the vamp) and Charlie Theda Bara (the vamp) and Charlie Chaplin Chaplin

Others were Others were Tom Mix, Tom Mix, Mary Pickford,Mary Pickford,Douglas Douglas Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Clara Bow & Clara Bow & Rudolph Rudolph Valentino Valentino

1927: the first major film 1927: the first major film with sound: with sound: The Jazz Singer The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson starring Al Jolson

1928: the first sound 1928: the first sound movie starring a movie starring a cartoon character: cartoon character: Walt Disney’s Walt Disney’s Steamboat WillieSteamboat Willie featuring Mickey featuring Mickey Mouse.Mouse.

The 1920s: a time of great The 1920s: a time of great literature literature

F. Scott F. Scott Fitzgerald:Fitzgerald:The Great The Great Gatsby Gatsby

Eugene O’Neill: Eugene O’Neill: The Hairy ApeThe Hairy Ape

Forced people to look hard at social Forced people to look hard at social issues like isolationism and problems issues like isolationism and problems with wealthy America with wealthy America

Other great authors: Sinclair Lewis Other great authors: Sinclair Lewis ((Main StreetMain Street & & BabbittBabbitt)) , poet T. S. Eliot,, poet T. S. Eliot, and author Earnest Hemingway (and author Earnest Hemingway (The The Sun Also Rises Sun Also Rises & & A Farewell to Arms) A Farewell to Arms)

                                 

    

                

      

Great artists included Great artists included Georgia O’Keeffe—Georgia O’Keeffe—oil paintings that oil paintings that captured the grandeur captured the grandeur of New York. Later inof New York. Later inlife, she painted life, she painted Southwest landscapes Southwest landscapes

Great composers were Great composers were highlighted by George highlighted by George Gershwin: Gershwin: Rhapsody Rhapsody In BlueIn Blue and and Concerto Concerto In F.In F.

Another great composer: Another great composer: Aaron Copeland: Aaron Copeland: Music for the Theater Music for the Theater

Leisure Leisure Most popular sport was baseball.Most popular sport was baseball. Most successful Most successful professional team:professional team:

New York Yankees:New York Yankees: George Herman George Herman “ “Babe” Ruth and Babe” Ruth and Lou Gehrig Lou Gehrig

Overcame 1919 “Black Sox” scandal Overcame 1919 “Black Sox” scandal

Leisure Leisure Negro Leagues: excellent quality Negro Leagues: excellent quality baseball beginning 1920 baseball beginning 1920

Josh Gibson hit 89 Josh Gibson hit 89 home runs in a home runs in a single seasonsingle season

Leisure Leisure Most famous Negro Leagues Most famous Negro Leagues player: LeRoy “Satchel” player: LeRoy “Satchel” Paige.Paige.

Negro leagues declined Negro leagues declined after Jackie Robinson after Jackie Robinson broke into Major League broke into Major League baseball in 1947 baseball in 1947

Leisure Leisure Boxing: biggest star: Jack Boxing: biggest star: Jack Dempsey Dempsey Lost twice to Gene Tunney in epic Lost twice to Gene Tunney in epic

bouts (1926 & 1927) bouts (1926 & 1927)

College football: College football: Among the Among the great players:great players:Red Grange, the Red Grange, the Galloping Ghost, Galloping Ghost, of Illinois and of Illinois and George Gipp of Notre Dame.George Gipp of Notre Dame.Coach Knute Rockne of Coach Knute Rockne of Notre Dame 105 wins; 5 Notre Dame 105 wins; 5 undefeated seasons undefeated seasons

Professional football just Professional football just beginning, led by George beginning, led by George Hallas of the Chicago Hallas of the Chicago Bears.Bears.

Best athlete of the first Best athlete of the first 50 years of the 2050 years of the 20thth century helped get pro century helped get pro football moving: Jim football moving: Jim Thorpe Thorpe

Tennis and golf emerged.Tennis and golf emerged.

Bill Tilden Bill Tilden Helen WillsHelen Wills Bobby JonesBobby Jones

Gertrude Ederle—Gertrude Ederle— first woman to first woman to swim English swim English Channel Channel

Greatest race horse: Greatest race horse: Man o’ War Man o’ War

Heroes Heroes

Most popular: Charles A. Lindbergh Most popular: Charles A. Lindbergh

May 20-22, 1927—May 20-22, 1927—First non-stop solo First non-stop solo flight across Atlantic flight across Atlantic

33 hours, 29 minutes;33 hours, 29 minutes;New York to Paris New York to Paris

Heroes Heroes Lindbergh stood for honesty and Lindbergh stood for honesty and bravery—traits Americans seemed to bravery—traits Americans seemed to have lost in an era of have lost in an era of excess, crime and excess, crime and sensationalism.sensationalism.

Amelia Earhart Amelia Earhart becamebecamea female hero, following a female hero, following Lindbergh as an aviator Lindbergh as an aviator

FlappersFlappers No longer necessary to maintain a rigidNo longer necessary to maintain a rigid Victorian female respectability.Victorian female respectability.

Smoking, drinking,Smoking, drinking,dancing, seductive dancing, seductive clothes and makeup;clothes and makeup;liberated lifestyle liberated lifestyle

Women’s Rights Women’s Rights National Women’s Party: Alice Paul—National Women’s Party: Alice Paul—campaigned for equal rights amendment campaigned for equal rights amendment By 1929: clear that womenBy 1929: clear that womenvoters changed electoralvoters changed electoraloutcomes hardly at all;outcomes hardly at all;the female vote distributedthe female vote distributeditself almost preciselyitself almost preciselythe same as the male vote.the same as the male vote.Result: politicians felt LESSResult: politicians felt LESSconcern about opposingconcern about opposingdemands of female reformers demands of female reformers

Education Education 1914—about 1 million 1914—about 1 million Americans in high school Americans in high school

1926—4 million 1926—4 million Job market demanded Job market demanded higher educational standards higher educational standards 1920s high schools: college prep. 1920s high schools: college prep. plus vocational training & home plus vocational training & home economics. economics.

Education Education Also, high schools faced the demands Also, high schools faced the demands of teaching English to immigrants of teaching English to immigrants As schools offered more, taxes to As schools offered more, taxes to support the schools also increasedsupport the schools also increasedMid-1920s, the annual cost of U. S. Mid-1920s, the annual cost of U. S. education: $2.7 billioneducation: $2.7 billion

Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance

Cotton ClubCotton Club Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington

Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance

Claude McKayClaude McKayLangston HughesLangston Hughes

A Raisin’ in the SunA Raisin’ in the SunRadical politics in Radical politics in writings writings

Prohibition Prohibition

Prohibition Prohibition

January 1920: Eighteenth Amendment January 1920: Eighteenth Amendment Prohibited the manufacture, sale andProhibited the manufacture, sale andtransportation of alcoholic beveragestransportation of alcoholic beverages

Reformers: liquor = cause of Reformers: liquor = cause of corruption.corruption.Women’s Christian Temperance Women’s Christian Temperance Union Union Most support in South & West Most support in South & West

Prohibition Prohibition

Doomed from start Doomed from start

Most Americans tired of sacrifice Most Americans tired of sacrifice To many immigrants—nothing wrong To many immigrants—nothing wrong with drinking—natural part of with drinking—natural part of socializing socializing Many resented government meddling Many resented government meddling U. S. government: too few enforcers U. S. government: too few enforcers

Drinkers went underground Drinkers went underground Home made liquor (bathtub gin) Home made liquor (bathtub gin)

BootleggersBootleggersSpeakeasies Speakeasies Clever hiding places Clever hiding places A time of illegal cleverness A time of illegal cleverness

Prohibition Prohibition

Prohibition Prohibition Emergence of large-scale organized Emergence of large-scale organized crime crime Chicago: Al Capone Chicago: Al Capone Bootlegging empire Bootlegging empire netted over $60 netted over $60 million million a yeara yearEliminated competition: Eliminated competition:

522 gang killings 1920s 522 gang killings 1920s

Prohibition Prohibition Capone, Frank Nitty and others Capone, Frank Nitty and others pursued by Elliot Ness and the pursued by Elliot Ness and the Untouchables Untouchables Never totally defeated Never totally defeated the gangsters the gangsters Ness finally got Capone Ness finally got Capone on income tax evasion on income tax evasion Served time on Alcatraz Served time on Alcatraz

Prohibition Prohibition

Ended 1933 with passage of 21Ended 1933 with passage of 21stst Amendment Amendment Prohibition was a major example of Prohibition was a major example of Protestant Fundamentalism that Protestant Fundamentalism that swept primarily the rural U. S. swept primarily the rural U. S. Literal, non-symbolic interpretation Literal, non-symbolic interpretation of the Bible of the Bible

Immigration Immigration Americans returned to nativist Americans returned to nativist (anti-immigrant) (anti-immigrant) feelings after feelings after World War I.World War I.Associated immigrants with Associated immigrants with anarchist movement, revolution anarchist movement, revolution and Communism and Communism After World War I, need for After World War I, need for unskilled labor decreased.unskilled labor decreased.

Emergency Quota Act of 1921: set Emergency Quota Act of 1921: set up a quota system—a maximum up a quota system—a maximum number of people who could enter number of people who could enter the U. S. from each foreign country.the U. S. from each foreign country.

Immigration Immigration

3% of the number of a country’s 3% of the number of a country’s nationals living in U. S. in 1910.nationals living in U. S. in 1910.

Discriminated against East Discriminated against East Europeans—Jews and Catholics;Europeans—Jews and Catholics;completely excluded Japanese completely excluded Japanese

The National Origins Act of 1924The National Origins Act of 1924• Banned immigration from East AsiaBanned immigration from East Asia•Angered JapaneseAngered Japanese•Reduced quota for Europeans from 3%Reduced quota for Europeans from 3% to 2% and based it on the 1890 censusto 2% and based it on the 1890 census•Favored Nordic or Teutonic stockFavored Nordic or Teutonic stock•1929—set rigid limit of 150,000 new 1929—set rigid limit of 150,000 new immigrants a year immigrants a year

Immigration Immigration

Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan

The 1920s emerged as a time of The 1920s emerged as a time of conflict between city life and country, conflict between city life and country, or rural, life. or rural, life.

Rural/Small Towns Rural/Small Towns Conservative moral values Conservative moral values Close social relationshipsClose social relationshipsWealthy, established families Wealthy, established families set social standards set social standards Churches defined morality Churches defined morality

Thriftiness, Thriftiness, moderation,moderation, respectability respectability Disney’s Disney’s Pollyanna Pollyanna

During and after World War I more During and after World War I more people moved to citiespeople moved to cities

1921—51.4% of Americans lived 1921—51.4% of Americans lived in communities of 2,500-1 million in communities of 2,500-1 million

1920 census:1920 census: New York: 5.6 millionNew York: 5.6 million Chicago: 3 million Chicago: 3 million Philadelphia: 2 million Philadelphia: 2 million

68 cities in U. S. 100,000 or more 68 cities in U. S. 100,000 or more

City life: City life: Competition and change Competition and change New ideasNew ideas

Entertainment variety Entertainment variety Tolerance: drinking, gambling, Tolerance: drinking, gambling, casual dating casual dating

Achievement over background Achievement over background

Fundamentalism Fundamentalism

Skeptical of all scientific knowledge Skeptical of all scientific knowledge

All important knowledge in Bible All important knowledge in Bible

Bible inspired; all details were true Bible inspired; all details were true

One scientific theory rejected by One scientific theory rejected by Fundamentalists as blasphemous: Fundamentalists as blasphemous: Charles Darwin’s Theory of Charles Darwin’s Theory of EvolutionEvolution

Fundamentalism Fundamentalism Leading fundamentalist preacher: Leading fundamentalist preacher:

Billy Sunday Billy Sunday staged emotional staged emotional meetings across the meetings across the South South

Moderate Protestants Moderate Protestants and liberals concerned and liberals concerned

March 1925: Tennessee made the March 1925: Tennessee made the teaching of evolution a crime teaching of evolution a crime

The American Civil Liberties Union The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) promised to defend anyone (ACLU) promised to defend anyone who would challenge the law.who would challenge the law.

Biology teacher John Scopes, of Biology teacher John Scopes, of Dayton, Tennessee, accepted Dayton, Tennessee, accepted challenge.challenge.

Scopes “Monkey” Trial: July 1925Scopes “Monkey” Trial: July 1925

Clarence Darrow vs. William J. Bryan Clarence Darrow vs. William J. Bryan

Scopes “Monkey” Trial Scopes “Monkey” Trial

Trial not about Scopes’ guilt or Trial not about Scopes’ guilt or innocence; trial about legitimacy of innocence; trial about legitimacy of the Tennessee law.the Tennessee law.What was the role of science and What was the role of science and religion in U. S. public schools.religion in U. S. public schools.

Great public interest Great public interest

Scopes “Monkey” Trial Scopes “Monkey” Trial

Great national interest Great national interest Live radio coverage Live radio coverage Darrow frustrated at Darrow frustrated at first first Finally called Bryan as Finally called Bryan as an expert witness an expert witness

Scopes convicted; only fined $100.00Scopes convicted; only fined $100.00

The Election of 1920 The Election of 1920 Democrats: Democrats: James M. Cox and Franklin D. James M. Cox and Franklin D.

Roosevelt Roosevelt

Ohio governor Asst. Sec of Navy Ohio governor Asst. Sec of Navy

1920 election—American people 1920 election—American people desired a return to normalcy. desired a return to normalcy.

Republican candidates Republican candidates Warren G. Harding and Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge Calvin Coolidge

Scandal Scandal Some cabinet appointments were Some cabinet appointments were very good.very good.

Secretary of State:Secretary of State:Charles Evans HughesCharles Evans HughesCandidate for Candidate for President 1916; President 1916; later became a later became a Supreme Court Justice Supreme Court Justice

Scandal Scandal Secretary of the Treasury: Secretary of the Treasury: Andrew Mellon Andrew Mellon

One of nation’s One of nation’s wealthiest people; wealthiest people; reduced national reduced national debt by 1/3 by 1923debt by 1/3 by 1923

Scandal Scandal Secretary of Commerce: Secretary of Commerce: Herbert C. Hoover Herbert C. Hoover Outstanding WW I Outstanding WW I reputation for reputation for running Food running Food Administration & Administration & finding solutionsfinding solutions for refugee problems for refugee problems

Scandal Scandal But some in cabinet were Harding’s But some in cabinet were Harding’s poker-playing cronies from Ohio: poker-playing cronies from Ohio: the Ohio Gang. the Ohio Gang. Secretary of the Interior: Secretary of the Interior: Albert Fall Albert Fall Former lobbyist for Former lobbyist for tobacco & meatpacking tobacco & meatpacking companies; friend of companies; friend of some oil executives. some oil executives.

President Harding—President Harding—““in over his head.”in over his head.”

Scandal Scandal

Did not understand Did not understand many things he had many things he had to deal with. to deal with. Lost control of cabinet—corrupt Lost control of cabinet—corrupt cronies used offices to become cronies used offices to become wealthy through graft. wealthy through graft.

Scandal Scandal Teapot Dome Scandal Teapot Dome Scandal Oil-rich public land Oil-rich public land at Teapot Dome, WY at Teapot Dome, WY and Elk Hills, CA and Elk Hills, CA

Albert Fall got oil Albert Fall got oil reserves transferred reserves transferred from Navy Department from Navy Department to the Dept. of the Interior to the Dept. of the Interior

Scandal Scandal Teapot Dome Scandal Teapot Dome Scandal Fall secretly leased all Fall secretly leased all the land to two private the land to two private oil companies oil companies Fall claimed the move Fall claimed the move was in public interest; but received was in public interest; but received $325,000 in bonds and cash and $325,000 in bonds and cash and several ranches and livestock. several ranches and livestock.

Scandal Scandal Harding avoided any public disgrace Harding avoided any public disgrace and humiliation—largely because of and humiliation—largely because of his good-natured personality.his good-natured personality.

Instead of taking charge of his Instead of taking charge of his administration, spent most of his administration, spent most of his time playing golf. time playing golf.

A hurt and confused man by 1923.A hurt and confused man by 1923.

Summer, 1923, Harding embarked Summer, 1923, Harding embarked on a goodwill tour of Alaska. on a goodwill tour of Alaska.

Falls ill in San Francisco on return Falls ill in San Francisco on return trip.trip.Dies in S. F. on August 2, 1923 Dies in S. F. on August 2, 1923 Widely mourned throughout U. S. Widely mourned throughout U. S.

Replaced by V. P. Replaced by V. P. Calvin Coolidge Calvin Coolidge ““Silent Cal” restoredSilent Cal” restoredpeople’s faith in people’s faith in government and GOP.government and GOP.

 

  

 

  

 

  

1920’s:1920’s:Republicans in power Republicans in power Isolationism Isolationism Loans to Europe Loans to Europe

Disarmament & anti-war feeling Disarmament & anti-war feeling Nativism Nativism

Political scandal then Political scandal then restoration of public faith restoration of public faith