THE ROARING

‘20s

The 1920s• During the 1920s, the U.S.

experienced an incredible amount of change.

• The 1920s have been called the first “modern” decade of the 20th century.

• Many trends that started then still influence our lives and culture today.

The Roaring ‘20s Have Been Called…

• The Jazz Age• Prohibition

• The Age of Automobile• The Golden Age of Radio• The Golden Age of Film

• The Decade of Intolerance • The Golden Era of Sports• The Republican Decade

Themes of the 1920s1) Liberation – African-Americans and

women, encouraged by their gains made during WWI, looked to improve their place in society and gain equal rights.

2) Creativity – New types of music (jazz & blues) became popular. Poets and authors created some of the greatest American literature.

3) Birth of “Pop Culture” – Sports, music, & movie stars emerged as celebrities. Movies, radio, magazines, and newspapers created new American heroes.

4) A Consumer Culture – Americans began to crave new, modern conveniences and household appliances – cars, radios, refrigerators, etc. Consumers often bought on credit or installment plans, creating a large amount of debt.

Themes of the 1920s

5) Fear – Many Americans feared ‘foreign’ radical political ideas such as socialism, communism, and anarchism. People also feared the new cultural changes that challenged their traditional beliefs.

Themes of the 1920s

Popular Personalities of the

’20s• Americans idolized sports and

entertainment stars of this time.

“Babe” Ruth• Greatest baseball

player of the 1920s

• Known for hitting home runs – ended career with record of 714

• Appeared in movies and ads

Jack Dempsey• The “Manassa

Mauler”• First boxer to

draw $1 million gate

• Defended championship 5 times in the 1920s

Dempsey FightsDempsey vs. Jess Willard, July 4, 1919, Toledo, OH

Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney, Sept 22, 1927 at Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

Charlie Chaplin• Most famous

comic actor of the silent movies

• Portrayed “The Little Tramp” character in films

• Co-founder of United Artists movie studio

Chaplin – “The Kid” (1921)

Rudolf Valentino

• Most popular romantic leading man in silent films

• The Sheikh (1921)• His death at age 29

caused thousands of women to mourn

Valentino – “The Sheikh” (silent film)

Major Literary Figures

•Some of the greatest American literature was written during the 1920s

Langston Hughes• Most famous poet, writer of Harlem Renaissance

• The Weary Blues (1926) – poetry collection

• Wrote about the realities of life for African-Americans

Hughes – “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” (1922)

I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of

human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went

down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers.My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

Hughes – “Mother to Son” (1922)Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal

stair.It's had tacks in it,And splinters,And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on the

floor --Bare.But all the timeI'se been a-climbin' on,And reachin' landin's,And turnin' corners,And sometimes goin' in the darkWhere there ain't been no light.So boy, don't you turn back.Don't you set down on the steps'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.

Don't you fall now --For I'se still goin', honey,I'se still climbin',And life for me ain't been no crystal

stair.

F. Scott Fitzgerald•The Great Gatsby (1925)

•Wrote stories of the rich and famous of the “Jazz Age”

•Part of the “Lost Generation” of writers

Ernest Hemingway• WWI veteran,

greatly affected by war

• The Sun Also Rises (1926) and A Farewell to Arms (1929)

• Also part of the “Lost Generation”