1920's & The Jazz Age
The term "roaring 20s" was an accurate description of this time. America had great economic development, expanding cities, increasing luxuries, inventions, women had more rights, the entertainment industry flourished.
Social
Normalcy
This was the period of time after the war where people were looking to return to their lifestyles prior to the war. (like a recovery period) The idea was brought about by President Harding, and he supported his idea by saying in order to create stability within society we must return to genial manner, or "normalcy". |
Flappers
Women during this time starting becoming more independent and doing things their own way and in their own style. Flappers were northern, urban single, and stylish young women who rebelled by smoking, drinking and going to clubs. They held day jobs and engaged in an active night life in the city. They cut their hair to shoulder length, hemed their dresses to knee length, and began using cosmetics more frequently. |
Economic
Mass Production
Large scale product manufacturing usually done by machinery. This was trending in the 1920's and created more supply and reduced consumer costs. Helped re-shape the economy and allowed industries to emerge. Along with mass production came the assembly line, welfare capitalism, and open shop. |
Open Shop
A work place where employees were not required to join a union. This included no contract, and a boss was limitless regarding wages/treatment. You were not required under contract to join or financially support a union. For business, this was a good thing but from the workers stand point, bosses could now take advantage of their workers not part of a union which wasn't such a great thing. |
PoliticalOhio Gang
President Harding's cabinet of "poker playing friends." These men included Charles Hughes, Herbert Hoover, and Andrew Mellan. They were often found smoking, drinking and playing poker rather than fullfilling their political positions. Members of the group were Hardings childhood friends, and often abused their positions to sell governemment jobs, pardons and for protection. |
Teapot Dome Scandal Under Harding, Albert B Fall (secretary of interior) was bribed to secretly allow private interests to lease lands with Us navy oil reserves in exchange for $300k plus. As a result of the scandal, Fall was the first officer in history to go to prison. This was another faulter during Hardings presidency, and Calvin Coolidge who assumed the presidency after Harding's death, handled the problem very systematically and his administration avoided any damage to their reputation. |
Additional Terms
Warren G Harding: A heavily critiqued President, and had many blunders during his presidency. His Ohio Gang butchered his reputation, the teapot dome scandal occured under him, and he was very lax and careless. He let his interests take over his responsibilites.
Kalvin Coolidge: Came into office after Harding, had his "gang" and cabinet memebers fired. Coolidge had the best interest for the government rather than his personal life, he was a believer in laissez faire economics, and his motto was "Keep Cool".
NBC & CBS:
NBC (1926): National Broadcasting Company. Established a permenant network of stations to distribute daily programs. By 1927, almost 700 stations were established around the country. During the 20's radio's became a popular common house item and stations were now beginning to play music as well as cover news events.
CBS (1928) Colombia Broadcasting System: Created coast to coast network of stations to rival NBC. Both sold advirtising time and hired musicians, actos and comedians from Vauderville to air on their networks. Americas received first full coverage of elections this way.
Kalvin Coolidge: Came into office after Harding, had his "gang" and cabinet memebers fired. Coolidge had the best interest for the government rather than his personal life, he was a believer in laissez faire economics, and his motto was "Keep Cool".
NBC & CBS:
NBC (1926): National Broadcasting Company. Established a permenant network of stations to distribute daily programs. By 1927, almost 700 stations were established around the country. During the 20's radio's became a popular common house item and stations were now beginning to play music as well as cover news events.
CBS (1928) Colombia Broadcasting System: Created coast to coast network of stations to rival NBC. Both sold advirtising time and hired musicians, actos and comedians from Vauderville to air on their networks. Americas received first full coverage of elections this way.
How did the 1920's lead into the Great Depression?
Things were beginning to look up for Americans in the 20's, economically and strides were made in society, but the underlying consequences erupted into the Great Depression. The unequal distribution of wealth during this time was a major problem, there was not a large sustaining middle class and although many workers saw wage increases, they were not enough to keep up with the new cost of living. This problem goes hand in hand with another major problem after the 20's, credit debt. People were purchasing everything with credit, and when the bills for this type of "installment buying" came in.. they were unable to be paid off. Also, high tariffs on foreign treades and war debt piled up, and spread this depression slump outside of the United States. I would call this an era of progress because we were boosting the economy, radio exploded and women were beginning to make bold statements and becoming more independent.