THE GREAT GATSBY - context Flashcards
What is the difference between Old Money vs New Money?
New Money: recently required money
Just beginning to build own fortunes.
Wealth from industry
Investing money
Old Money: Wealth acquired long ago and passed down through generations.
Well established families.
Respected backgrounds
Heritage
What were some of the social reform changed in society happening during the early 1900s?
- Prohibition
- More opportunities for women after the war.
- Growth and prosperity
- Corruption.
What was alcohol like in 1920s?
Between 1920-1933 the Government of the US implemented prohibition.
Based on religious beliefs: alcohol was a sin.
what are some of the ironies of prohibition?
- Volstead’s intent was to stop drunkness.
- There ended up being the highest rates of alcohol consumption every recorded and it never ended up at the same rate before 1920s again.
What did prohibition and increased rules enhance throughout the 1920s?
Increased crime
What were some frequent organised crimes during the 1920s?
Saloons and bars became known underground as “speakeasies”. Speakeasies unlike normal bars encouraged women to work and invited everyone.
gangsters such as Al Capone made their fortunes from organising the importing of alcohol to sell illegally. Capone made 60 million dollars in one year.
What was a famous dance in 1920s?
The Charleston.
How were women included in organised crime?
As flapper girls, they were given more rights to smoke, drink, dance, wear revealing clothing and work.
What were the popular genres of music in the 1920s?
Jazz, blues… Black American originated music.
What was the big idea of the Great American Dream?
The American Dream was to be rich, successful, happy and to be one of the elites. However, the few that got there were named under “New Money”.
