THE ROARING TWENTIES Flashcards
What were the Roaring Twenties known for in the United States?
The Roaring Twenties were known for massive economic growth, the expansion of consumer society, and significant social changes. It was a period when the nation’s wealth doubled, and for the first time, more Americans lived in cities than on farms.
What symbolized the “New Woman” of the 1920s, and what freedoms did women gain during this time?
The “New Woman” of the 1920s was symbolized by the flapper, a young woman with bobbed hair and short skirts who embraced more freedom in behavior and appearance. Women gained the right to vote (19th Amendment, 1920), greater access to white-collar jobs, and the ability to participate more in the consumer economy.
What role did automobiles play in the social changes of the 1920s?
Automobiles, particularly affordable models like the Ford Model T, gave young people freedom to travel and socialize more independently, contributing to the era’s social changes. The car became a symbol of personal freedom and a necessity by the end of the decade.
What was the impact of the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act during the 1920s?
The 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act, which enforced Prohibition, banned the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors in the U.S. This led to the rise of illegal speakeasies, organized crime, and figures like Al Capone, who profited from the underground liquor trade.
What were some of the cultural tensions during the 1920s, and how did they manifest?
Cultural tensions in the 1920s included racial tensions due to the Great Migration and the visibility of Black culture, which alarmed many white Americans. This led to the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan. Additionally, nativist sentiments fueled by the Red Scare resulted in restrictive immigration laws like the National Origins Act of 1924.
What was Fordism, and how did it revolutionize production and the consumer economy in the 1920s?
Fordism refers to the large-scale mechanized and standardized mass production methods pioneered by Henry Ford, particularly on assembly lines. This allowed for the affordable mass production of goods, like the Ford Model T, which became widely accessible to the middle class.
What was the significance of the Ford Model T in the 1920s?
The Ford Model T was significant because it epitomized mass production and made automobiles affordable to the average American. By 1927, over 15 million Model Ts had been sold, revolutionizing personal transportation and contributing to the economic growth of the decade
How did mass culture develop in the 1920s, and what were some examples?
Mass culture developed through the widespread availability of consumer goods and the rise of entertainment industries like radio and movies. Examples include the proliferation of radios (with more than 12 million households owning one by the end of the 1920s) and the popularity of movie theaters, which were visited by three-quarters of the American population weekly.
What were some of the economic disparities during the Roaring Twenties?
While urban areas and many workers in industry saw economic growth, farmers in rural and Southern states struggled due to overproduction and falling agricultural prices. This sector, employing 30% of the active population, did not benefit from the prosperity that characterized much of the decade.
How did the Jazz Age influence American culture in the 1920s?
The Jazz Age brought new music styles like jazz to the forefront of American culture, with jazz bands playing in dance halls and being broadcast on radio stations. It symbolized the era’s freedom and modernity, despite some older generations viewing it as vulgar and morally concerning.
