The Roaring Twenties Flashcards
What kind of music was popular in the 1920s?
Jazz music (known for improvisation, fast tempos and lively rhythms). It appealed to young people in particular, becoming the most popular musical style in dance halls, bars and nightclubs in northern cities like Chicago and New York. It provided great opportunities for black musicians like Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith. New dances were popular, like the Charleston, the Tango and the One Step. It originated in the Southern States among African Americans and spread north as they moved in search of work
Why did some people criticise jazz?
The older generation in particular were critical of jazz, saying it encouraged drunkenness and that the dances were too sexual.
How much did weekly cinema audiences grow in the 1920s?
They grew from 35 million in 1919 to 100 million in 1930
How many films did Hollywood make by 1929?
By 1929, Hollywood film studios were making over 500 films a year, giving employment to thousands and entertainment to millions
What was the first film to include sound?
The jazz singer (1927) was the first ‘talkie’
Why did cinema become so popular in the 1920s?
The ‘star system’ was used to promote actors. Stars had to do magazine interviews, photo shoots, appearances on radio shows and public appearances. Charlie Chaplin, Rudolf Valentino and Clara Bow became household names.
Why did some people not like cinema?
Many older Americans were worried about the sexual content of some films and the impact this would have on the young.
What was the hays code and why was it introduced?
It was a strict set of rules that all films had to follow, including a ban on nudity. It was introduced because several states had threatened to ban films.
How much did some sportspeople make in the 1920s?
Babe Ruth (baseball) earned $80,000 a year by 1930 (around £7 million today)
Why did sports become so much more popular in the 1920s?
- Radio broadcasts, newspapers and magazines helped bring major sporting events to a mass audience.
- cars meant that people could drive to stadiums to watch games
- some stadiums offered family discounts, which caught the interest of women and children
What were some ‘crazes’ of the 1920s?
- mahjong (Chinese board game)
- crossword puzzles
- marathon dancing (dancing for as long as you can)
- flagpole sitting (see how long they could sit on top of a pole without falling off)
