Unit 1.3 - Society and Culture Flashcards
What was the social impact of cinema?
- By 1917 Movies were the biggest entertainment media in the USA.
- Movie theatres boomed post war.
- Movie theatres gave the public an entire evening out.
- In the 1930s most movie theatres changed their ‘feature’ twice a week.
When was the first ‘Talkie’?
In 1927, ‘The Jazz Singer’
How many seats were there in movie theatres by 1941?
- 10,500,000
- One seat for every 12.5 people.
What was a ‘B-movie’?
- Cheapest movies.
- Had a budget of $50,000-$100,000.
- Featured no stars.
- Short cartoon.
- Travelogue.
- Trailers.
- Newsreel.
Who was Clara Bow?
- Known as the ‘It’ girl.
- Specialised in ‘flapper’ roles.
- Many young women who saw her films wanted to look and dress like her.
- It was common for young women to ask for a Clara Bow cut at the hairdressers.
During the 1930s and 1940s where were the majority of films made worldwide?
- 90% of all films were made in Hollywood.
Where did the power lay within Hollywood?
- With the studios.
- There were 8 companies that worked together and had almost total control of stars, staff and the industry as a whole.
- They chose the movies that would be shown.
- Classified the movies to their own suitability ratings.
- Major studios could blacklist celebrities making it impossible to find work. (Happened during second Red Scare.)
How many movies did Clara Bow make in 1925?
- 15 movies.
What was the opposition to movies?
- Many said that female stars were too scantily dressed and drank and smoke all the time.
- The ‘Gangster’ genre made violence and crime look attractive.
What did all movies from 1930-1966 have to conform to?
- The Hays Code.
What was the Hays Code?
- A strict code that implied that all movies should improve society.
- Studios began building a ‘morality clause’ into their contracts to ensure the stars signed up to a good living.
What were some of the Hays Codes rules for movies?
- Crimes should not be shown in enough detail to be copied.
- The white slave trade could never be shown.
- Family life should be portrayed as a good thing and adultery should be portrayed as a bad thing.
Why did people dislike Jazz?
- Conservatives in the 20s considered it to be morally lax.
- Jazz dances such as the Charleston & the Black Bottom were sexually suggestive.
- Many Jazz and Swing players were Black, giving people racist reasons to dislike it.
What percentage of homes owned a gramophone by 1929?
- 50%.
- Industry that made records was booming.
Why did record sales drop by 1935?
- Radio sales had taken off.
- Radios played popular music for free.
- Records has become a luxury due to the Depression.
When did the first commercial radio station begin broadcasting?
- KDKA.
- 2nd November 1920 (Presidential Election Day)
- The radio could broadcast the results before the papers could print them.
How many commercial radio stations were there by 1924?
- 600 commercial stations.
When did the first radio advertisement air?
- Aired in August 1922.
What types of people used the radio to spread their message?
- Politicians.
- Religious Leaders.
Who was Father Coughlin?
- Priest.
- Broadcasted a series of sermons criticising the KKK.
- By 1930 he had about 40 million listeners.
- During the Depression he criticised banks and supported Roosevelt.
- Called the New Deal ‘Christ’s Deal’
- When Roosevelt didn’t go far enough for him he criticised him cost him a loss of support.
Why was radio so influential?
- Mass production made radios cheaper.
- Hire purchase made them more accessible.
- On NBC everyone heard the same thing at the same time, people felt part of a mass culture.
What did television programmes and advertisements create amongst citizens in America?
- A national culture.
- more influential than radio.
What year was the first television advertisement including a Black American in?
- 1963.
What president used television during their 1952 campaign?
- President Eisenhower.
Why was television influential to Americans view on the presidents?
- Americans could see their presidents in action.
- It became important that a political candidate looked right and interviewed well live.
Why did television work well for Kennedy?
- Kennedy was good looking.
- Kennedy was a persuasive speaker.
Why did television work less well for Nixon?
- Nixon was uncomfortable on air and it was obvious.
When were the Kennedy-Nixon debates?
- 1960.
What were the Kennedy-Nixon debates?
- 4 debates between the two presidential candidates.
- The first debate reached an audience of about 70 million.
- Broadcasted on both television and radio.
Why did these debates contribute to Nixons wariness of the media?
- Kennedy looked better and spoke better seeming more in control.
- Nixon saw how image could manipulate viewers and the way in which they voted.
What did the poll Nixon-Kennedy debate poll suggest?
- A poll of people who watched the televised debate suggested they thought Kennedy was more impressive.
- A poll of radio listeners suggested that Nixon had won.
- Poll emphasised the importance of appearance.
What percentage of television was recorded live in 1953?
- 80%.
What percentage of television was recorded live in 1960?
- 36%.
What were one of the two only programmes to be televised live in the 1970s?
- Sport.
- The News.
What were criticisms of television?
- Religious groups and Conservatives disliked the glamorisation of crime.
- It was believed programmes are manipulated and Quiz Shows were accused of telling the contestants the answers.
When was the Public Broadcasting Service set up?
- 1969.
What was the Public Broadcasting Service?
- National station, made up of groups of local stations.
- Education was their main aim.
- mostly run for non-profit.
- PBS channels were free from sponsors but contained their own liberal messages.
What did Sesame Street teach children?
- Racial tolerance.
- Sharing.
- Counting.
- Reading.
- Its popularity meant that white children absorbed a positive message of other races.
What was the significance of documentaries?
- People could become more informed on major issues.
- Those who didn’t want to buy newspapers could quite happily sit and get their news from the TV instead.
- The danger of this was the watcher inheriting the same slanted view of issues as the programme-maker.
What was the significance of Black Americans comedy shows?
- Showed black Americans in their homes leading normal lives.
- Contrasted their usual portrayal as servants/slaves or gang members.
- Whites who had little contact with Black Americans came to perceive them as normal people instead of exotic, foreign and dangerous.
What was the significance of political satire?
- Rowan and Martins Laugh-in became one of the first sketch shows to openly make fun of and criticise politicians.
- This way of making fun of politicians reached many more members of the public as opposed to criticism in newspaper, radio or television debates.
- People became less respectful and more critical towards presidents.
- Books, films and TV programmes began focussing on government conspiracies and cover-ups in the 60s&70s.
What was the influence of Broadcast News?
- Quicker way of getting news to people than newspapers.
- A voice seemed more authoritative than text so made a deeper impression.
- Radio played an important part in the Depression. Reports of Stockmarket crisis fuelled fears causing people to sell shares.
- Equally, the radio also helped settle the crisis through FDR’s Fireside chats.
- Radio reported events in WW2 quicker than movie newsreels.
- March 1954 See it Now did a show on McCarthy exposing him as a liar and a bully. The show helped produce a shift in public opinion away from McCarthy.
- In the 1960s there was live coverage of events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Moon Landing.
- Radio still covered the news in the 60s but people preferred the TV because of pictures.
- The TV version of controversial issues was the one most members of public believed.
- Watergate coverage was vital in the change of public opinions about presidency and government.
How did Broadcast news shape opinions?
- Broadcast news didn’t only show what happened but also gave their own interpretations.
- News reports had anchormen who explained the situation generally. They became seen as the ‘teacher’ figures and the ones the pubic could trust.
What was the significance of Walter Cronkite?
- Famous broadcast journalist.
- His 1968 critical documentary on the Vietnam War was shocking to so many people because someone they trusted was criticising a government they were uncertain about. Confirming their fears.
- Cronkite showed that not only were the government pursuing a war the people didn’t want, it was doing it wastefully and incompetently.
How did Broadcast Media change after the Vietnam War?
- Broadcast news gave their own interpretation of events. Shaping its presentation in order to fit their interpretation.
- Many Americans were unaware of the extent to which the news was giving an interpretation.
What was the relationship like between the Media and Jimmy Carter?
- Initially Carter was portrayed by the media in a positive light. Having high levels of support from media & public in the early months.
- Once it became clear his administration was managing congress and policy making badly the media decided he was incompetent.
- The media could find not presidential error so looked to Carter’s brother instead.
- October 1979 Carter was shown collapsing during a marathon negatively impacting public opinion as they didn’t want a physically or morally weak president.
What was the impact of WW1 on women?
- Granted women the opportunity to work however once it ended they were fired.
- Gave women the chance to vote (1917).
- League of Women’s Voters established in 1920.
- Women’s votes often influenced by husbands.
- Many poorer women didn’t vote.
- Few black women voted especially in South.
- Only educated white women felt that the vote was a significant change.
What was the impact of the Roarings 20s on Women?
- Many believed women’s war work had been an exception and that they shouldn’t take jobs away from men.
- Most married women who had to work were obliged to work at home for very low wages.
- Some jobs such as teaching were simply off limits for women.
- Many employers made it a rule not to employ women.
- Single, well-off, predominately white women were most open to change:working in typing pools.
- Between 1910-1940 the number of working women went up from 7,640,000 to 13,007,000.
When was the Women’s Bureau of Labour Established?
- Aimed to improve women’s working conditions.
- Campaigned for the wider Employment of Women.
What was the significance of Flappers?
- Young, independent women.
- Worked.
- Cut their hair short.
- Some smoked and drank.
- Behaved like young men.
- Flappers only made up a very small percentage of female population.
- Many reverted back into a domestic role after marriage.
What impact did the Great Depression have on Women?
- Women who were divorced, deserted or widowed had to take responsibility for themselves and find any work in order to survive.
- 1932 Women’s Bureau of Labour report on women workers in slaughtering and meat packing found that 97% of them worked out of necessity as opposed to desire.
How was the Women’s Bureau of Labour perceived during the Great Depression?
- Largely ignored due to its sole focus on women.
- Many women saw it as hindering their progress both when it supported and pushed for legislation.
- Supported Muller v Oregon (Women’s working hours should be 10hrs max)
- Pushed for minimum wage legislation yet men were excluded from this.
What was the impact of World War 2 on women?
- Proved women could do mens work just as well.
- Before USA entered war the 1940 Selective Training and Service Act prepared to draft men and train men to fill their space.
- 1941 Lanham Act’s childcare provision was extended and 130,000 children were in day care by 1944.
- Percentage of women in the workplace rose from 15%-23%.
- Women’s Land Army of America was reformed and had its own newsletter.
How did Post WW2 changes impact women?
- About 50% of married women who worked during the war left work through choice, social pressure or because federally funded day cares closed in 1946.
- Before the war many women were banned from certain jobs, restrictions were lifted during war and rarely reinstated after leaving more job prospects for women.
- Black and non-white women who had been trained (as nurses/office workers) often continued to work after war.
- More married, white women wanted to enter workforce and were often hired before non-white women.
- Married women’s attitudes had also changed. During the war they learnt many skills which enabled them to work, causing them to develop both an aptitude and appetite for work.
What changes did Suburban living make to the lives of women during 1941-1960?
- The image of suburbia suggest that the husband went to work while the wife stayed at home. If both parents worked they would have to get childcare which made suburban living more expensive.
- Women who worked were often excluded from the friendship groups of this who didn’t.
- The suburban ideology of the woman: an individual with too much time on her hands. Became the thing to aspire towards.
- As people left the cities for the suburbs, those left behind were left with deteriorating conditions and had to be exceptional and work exceptionally hard in order to progress their circumstances.
What were the positive results published by the 1961 Commission of Enquiry on the status of women?
- Praised Equal Pay Act (published by congress that year)
- Praised the wider job opportunities available for women in federal government.
- 1958 Education Act demanded job councillors be implemented within schools to offer job advise to young girls.
What were the negative results published by the 1961 Commission of Enquiry on the status of women?
- Equal Pay Act badly needed enforcing.
- Women made up 1/3 of all workers yet were discriminated against in terms of access to refining, work and promotion.
- Women’s wages were uniformly lower and minimum wage regulations did not apply to low-paid work many women did (cleaning).
- Wasn’t enough daycare to help married women work effectively.
- Report found from a young age girls were not encouraged to work.
What did Betty Friedan do and what was the impact of this?
- Published the Feminine Mystique in 1963.
- Book was about the constraints of Suburban life and the problems of white, educated married women.
- Book created exposure and was widely debated on TV.
What group was Betty Friedan involved in and when was it set up?
- National Organisation for Women.
- Betty Friedan was one of NOW’s founding members.
What did NOW do?
- Held meetings.
- Collected petitions and data.
- Lobbied politicians for change.
- Their work was educating people, campaigning about problems and providing services and support for women.
Who were the young radicals?
- Second strand to Women’s Liberation Movement.
- Members were mostly under 30, white and middle class.
What was the opposition to the Women’s Liberation Movement?
- Attracted a large amount of opposition as men were seen as the enemy.
- Conservatives rejected the movement as they considered it ‘un-American’.
- Phyllis Schlafly objected to demands for equal rights and set up STOP ERA in 1972.
What happened in 1970 in regards to women’s rights?
- There was a strike for the 50th anniversary of women getting the vote.
- Some women didn’t go to work, others took part in countrywide marches and demonstrations with slogans like ‘Don’t Iron while the Strike is Hot’.
- All women/groups involved made the same 3 demands:
Equal Opportunities in jobs and education.
Free Childcare.
Free abortion on demand.
How was NOW’s membership impacted from the 1970 strike, and what was their membership in 1967 compared to 1974?
- Rose by over 50%.
- NOW’s membership rose from 1000 in 1967 to 40,000 in 1974.
What were some gains made for Women’s rights?
1972 Eisenstatdt v Baird- allowed access to contraception to married and unmarried women.
1973 Roe v Wade - Abortion made legal.
1967 - Johnson extended his executive order calling for affirmative action to improve implement conditions for those discriminated against on the grounds of race, creed or colour to cover sexual discrimination as well.
What were some limitations to advancement for Women’s rights?
- 1972 Equal Rights Act was never ratified even after congress set a deadline of 10 years for the ratification. 15 States were still refusing to ratify ERA in 1982.
- USA didn’t sign up to the 1979 UN policy of introducing non-discrimination against women in all aspects of life.
- Women’s Liberation Movement disintegrated due to conservative opposition and many women fighting for different issues.
- Many working-class and non-white women felt excluded from the movement and set up separate groups.
What were some of the groups created by working-class women and non-white women?
- Congress of Labour Union Women (CLUW) - Focussed on rights of working women, particularly in industrial work.
- Mexican American Women’s Organisation.
- National Alliance of Black Feminists.
What were the 4 Immigration Acts?
1917 Emergency Immigrant Act - Lists a number of undesirable people (criminals) and imposes a literary test for anyone over 16.
1921 Emergency Quota Act - Restricts number of immigrants from any country to 3% of the total number of people from that country living in USA in 1910.
1924 Johnson Reed Immigration Act - Caused changes to the Quota system to 2% from the country of origin in the 1890 census until 1927. After that the number of immigrants was to be fixed at 150,000 and the quota based on 1920 census.
1929 National Origins Formula - Confirms 150,000 limit and bans Asian immigrants.
What were the 4 things that changed attitudes towards immigration?
- Dillingham Commission.
- isolationism.
- First Red Scare.
- Increased unemployment.
What was the Dillingham Commission?
- Report in 1911 investigating lives of immigrants. Outlined that immigration has the capacity to be a ‘serious threat’ to society.
- Concluded there were ‘old’ immigrants (Irish, English) that adapted well to American living.
- ‘New’ immigrants were less easily adapted (Asians)
How did isolationism impact immigration?
- Government used this policy to have less contact with the rest of the world.
How did the First Red Scare impact immigration?
- People were suspicious of immigrants, assuming they were Communists.
What were the benefits of immigration?
- There was a spike in unemployment so the immigrants filled the spots where labour was needed.
- Cost of labour decreased.
What was a byproduct of immigration?
- Ghettos.
- Ethnic Communities.
What were the percentages of foreign-born immigrants?
- Italian Americans 14.2%.
- German Americans - 10.8%.
- Japanese - less than 1%.
How did Americans treat Alien Immigrants?
- 120,000 Japanese US citizens were shut up in internment camps.
- Fewer than 1% of Germans and Italian interned.
How did Alien Immigrants progress?
- Enemy Aliens volunteered to join US military.
- Second generation Aliens volunteered to join military.
What were the war immigration policies from 1940-57?
- 1940 Alien Registration Act
- 1948 Displaced Persons Act
- 1952 McCarren-Walter Act
- 1954 Operation Wetback
- 1957 Refugee-Escapee Act
What was the 1940 Alien Registration Act?
- Requires non-citizens to register with Federal Government.
- Wartime measure but became normalised after the war.
- Green card system entitled non-citizens to live and work in America.
What was the 1948 Displaced Persons Act?
- Allows for immigration of 415,000 people displaced by war over 4 years but within quota limit.
What was the 1952 McCarran-Walter Act?
- Revises terms of immigration - retains a limit of immigrants to be admitted (150,000).
- As a result from the 1920 census:
85% of immigrants came from Northern and Western Europe.
Act allows 100,000 Asian immigrants. - Introduces a preference system for skilled workers.
What was the 1953 Refugee Act?
- Extends 1948 Displaced Persons Act.
- Allowed for 214,000 refugees from Europe - this time they are dealt with outside the set numerical limit.
What was the 1954 Operation Wetback?
- Begins deporting ‘illegal’ immigrants (those who entered the country without being registered)
- Predominantly Mexicans.
What was the 1957 Refugee-Escapee Act?
- Refugee legislation is expanded to cover those escaping from communist countries.
What were the immigration policies from 1960-76?
- 1965 Hart-Celler Act.
- 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act.
- 1968 Armed Forces Neutralisation Act.
- 1976 Immigration and Nationality Act expanded.
What was the 1966 Cuban Administration Act?
- Gives citizenship to Cubans entering the country after 1959.
What was the 1968 Armed Forces Neutralisation Act?
- Amends 1965 Act to make anyone a U.S citizen who had fought for America during WW1, WW2, Korea or Vietnam or any other wars.
What evidence is there for the USA not being a ‘melting pot’?
- Most urban areas were informally segregated into separate sections which had different parts for ethnic groups. e.g. Little Italy kept Italian customs.
What were 2 negative and positive aspects of for newly arrived immigrants?
- Newly arrived immigrants were exploited and made to work in small family businesses. Laissez-Faire policies meant that they remained exploited.
- In 1920 there were examples of Irish politicians, lawyers and policemen in Boston, and Italian ones in New York who had worked their way into power.
Where in America had the largest immigrant population?
- Detroit.
- Helped create a strong labour force for Henry Ford.
What was the majority of Ford’s Labour Force and what did he do for them?
- Most of his workers were foreign-born.
- Went out of his way to ‘Americanise’ his immigrant labour force to make working relations easier.
- Taught to speak English.
- In 1917 88% of Ford’s workers could speak English (Compared to 59% in 1914.)
- Also taught to be patriotic about America.
