Social Changes 1920-45 Flashcards
Name the 6 main causes for social change in the 1920s
Economy Radio Literature Cinema Sport Jazz
How did the economy lead to social change? (Give 2 specific examples)
There was an economic boom in the 20s leading to the age of consumerism. This was shown by the rise of the automobile as people were rising in social status enough to have a car (Model T). Also there were groundbreaking construction projects to symbolise a time of prosperity like the Golden Gate Bridge.
How did the rise of Jazz create social change? (Give 2 examples)
Originating in black culture in urban centres like Chicago and Harlem the rise of jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Count Basie showed the new African American presence after the Great Migration of 1916.
Also new dance styles came from jazz like the Charleston which were embraced by the youth and especially urban young women called Flappers.
How could it be argued that jazz did not have much a social impact everywhere?
In rural areas jazz wasn’t prevalent at all even as radio expanded and they stuck to listening to country music associated with their dance The Hoedown.
How did radio create social change?
It expanded rapidly from the first one KDKA in Pittsburgh 1920 to hundreds by the end of the 20s even in rural areas and small towns. This meant everyone had access to up to date music and news showing increased equality and prosperity.
This was also linked to consumerism as radio brought with it the spread of advertising
How could it be argued that radio wasn’t that important?
As there were so many stations people in the country would often not be listening to the same music as those in urban areas and may have felt culturally disconnected. Also radio wasn’t as big a media influence as cinema was.
How did the rise in sport popularity create social change? (Give an example)
This was the era of mass spectator sport and the most popular was baseball. The domination of the New York Yankees created the first sport celebrities in people like Babe Ruth one of the only players to hit home runs.
How did revolutionary literature create social change? (Give 2 examples)
They gave great insight into 1920s American life with 2 of the most important authors being F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. These 2 showed a different side to the materialistic 1920s focused on parties and possessions instead showing how it was a disillusioning facade.
The 1920s was also the time of African American Renaissance in literature centred in Harlem which showed an entirely different voice in literature.
How did the rise of cinema create social change? (Give 3 examples)
Hollywood was the centre of the global film industry with America having the biggest stars. They were leading the revolution of cinema giving a sense of national pride and prosperity - in 1927 they were the first to create a talking picture and in 1928 the first Oscars were held to celebrate.
This affected almost every citizen as even very small towns had a picture house so there was equal entertainment for all - cinema became the main form of entertainment
Possible exam question: “women made little progress towards equality in the years 1919-1939” give 3 views for this
Economically - agree
Socially - disagree
Politically - disagree
Give 2 political examples of how women’s position improved
Voting - 19th Amendment 1920 - women achieved the vote and by 1925 Nelly Taylor Ross became Governor of Wyoming and Frances Perkins became the first woman in cabinet in 1933. Also when Eleanor Roosevelt was First Lady she campaigned her own independent issues from her husband
Women’s issues - Margaret Sanger opened the Brownsville Family Planning Clinic in 1916 as part of the campaign for birth control. Former suffrage campaigners formed the Woman’s Joint Congressional Committee which lobbied for Child Labour Amendment 1925 and the Infancy Protection Act of 1921.
Give 4 examples of how women’s position did not improve politically
Only 9 women had entered politics by 1939 and fewer women voted than men until 1980.
There were still groups that opposed progress like the National Association Opposed to Women’s Suffrage
Margaret Sanger was arrested 8 days after opening her birth control clinic showing how much hatred there was towards women’s sexual health
Give 2 examples of how women did not improve economically
By 1930 still only a quarter of women 15 and older worked and those in rural and poorer areas usually remained in their traditional role. Even suffragettes with the exception of people like Florence Kelly usually returned to the home after getting the vote.
Women who did work were always in low paid jobs and paid less than men which was legal. Also FDR’s new deal did little for women for example it’s pension scheme was based on the assumption that men worked and women stayed at home.
Give an example of how women’s lives were improved economically
The war provided women with jobs and a disposable income and 75% of women wished to continue working. By the 1920s 2 million more women were working than before, usually in careers like shop assistance or secretarial work.
Give 2 examples of how women’s lives improved socially
There was revolution among urban youth in the creation of flappers who removed restrictive clothes for short skirts. They did typically male activities like smoking and were usually sexually active before marriage. This was a change for women as they had their own money and leisure time to dance and buy clothes advertised to them.
