4.1 Social Change in the Roaring Twenties
Learning Target 17: Describe how racial intolerance, anti-immigrant attitudes and the Red Scare contributed to social unrest after World War I.
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Racial intolerance, anti-immigrant attitudes and the Red Scare contributed to social unrest after World War I.
The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the South to the North in the first half of the 20th century. They sought to escape prejudice and discrimination and secure better paying jobs. The Great Migration to northern cities increased racial tensions there and led to a series of urban race riots in about 25 cities in 1919. The riots became known as “Red Summer” (meaning “bloody”). In Chicago, 15 whites and 23 African Americans died, hundreds more were injured, and about 1,000 black families were left homeless from arson.
Lynchings and the enforcement of Jim Crow legislation continued in the South during the post-war era. Lynching refers to the practice of executing people by mob action. Lynching was an act of terror meant to spread fear among African Americans.
Racial intolerance was also seen in the revival of the Ku Klux Klan across the United States. The Second Ku Klux Klan use terror tactics to intimidate many groups including African Americans, Roman Catholics, Jews, and immigrants.
An increase in immigration to the United States from southern and eastern Europe preceded World War I. Nativism after the war was reflected in the passage of immigration quotas.
The success of the communist Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, labor strikes in the U.S., and a series of bombs sent to public and business officials in the U.S. stirred fears of revolution among Americans. The Red Scare of 1919-1920 was a reaction to these perceived threats. The Palmer Raids led to the imprisonment and deportation of many foreign-born residents perceived as radicals.
The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the South to the North in the first half of the 20th century. They sought to escape prejudice and discrimination and secure better paying jobs. The Great Migration to northern cities increased racial tensions there and led to a series of urban race riots in about 25 cities in 1919. The riots became known as “Red Summer” (meaning “bloody”). In Chicago, 15 whites and 23 African Americans died, hundreds more were injured, and about 1,000 black families were left homeless from arson.
Lynchings and the enforcement of Jim Crow legislation continued in the South during the post-war era. Lynching refers to the practice of executing people by mob action. Lynching was an act of terror meant to spread fear among African Americans.
Racial intolerance was also seen in the revival of the Ku Klux Klan across the United States. The Second Ku Klux Klan use terror tactics to intimidate many groups including African Americans, Roman Catholics, Jews, and immigrants.
An increase in immigration to the United States from southern and eastern Europe preceded World War I. Nativism after the war was reflected in the passage of immigration quotas.
The success of the communist Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, labor strikes in the U.S., and a series of bombs sent to public and business officials in the U.S. stirred fears of revolution among Americans. The Red Scare of 1919-1920 was a reaction to these perceived threats. The Palmer Raids led to the imprisonment and deportation of many foreign-born residents perceived as radicals.
Learning Target 18: Describe how an improved standard of living for many, combined with technological innovations in communication, transportation and industry resulted in social and cultural changes and tensions.
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Following World War I, the United States experienced a period of successful advances in industry and an economic boom that improved the standard of living for many Americans. Standard of living refers to the level of wealth, comfort, material goods and necessities available.
Technological innovations in communication in this period included the first commercial radio broadcasts in 1922 and talking motion pictures in 1926. As printing became less expensive, newspaper and magazine prices were lowered. This led to wider circulation of newspapers and magazines. These innovations influenced the development of a popular culture and mass advertising.
Advances in transportation during this era include the Model A Ford and the airplane. The Model A replaced Ford’s long-running Model T in 1927. The first airplane took flight in 1903, but flying was not commonplace until after 1925. In that year, Congress passed the Air Mail Act and the Air Commerce Act which facilitated the growth of airlines.
In industry, mass production techniques continued to make factory production more efficient. These developments also contributed to an improved standard of living.
These innovations brought change. But some changes challenged traditional social customs and created tensions. Automobile ownership contributed to the growth of suburbs, as people could now live outside of central cities and commute to work. Automobiles also led the creation of new businesses, such as motels and gas stations, and led to the expansion of related production factories such as rubber, plate glass, petroleum, and steel. New surfaced roads were constructed to accommodate increased traffic.
But use of the automobile also challenged traditional family values and tried the patience of travelers. Young people used the car to exercise freedom from parental rules. Increased numbers of commuters had to face the problems of traffic congestion.
Technological innovations in communication in this period included the first commercial radio broadcasts in 1922 and talking motion pictures in 1926. As printing became less expensive, newspaper and magazine prices were lowered. This led to wider circulation of newspapers and magazines. These innovations influenced the development of a popular culture and mass advertising.
Advances in transportation during this era include the Model A Ford and the airplane. The Model A replaced Ford’s long-running Model T in 1927. The first airplane took flight in 1903, but flying was not commonplace until after 1925. In that year, Congress passed the Air Mail Act and the Air Commerce Act which facilitated the growth of airlines.
In industry, mass production techniques continued to make factory production more efficient. These developments also contributed to an improved standard of living.
These innovations brought change. But some changes challenged traditional social customs and created tensions. Automobile ownership contributed to the growth of suburbs, as people could now live outside of central cities and commute to work. Automobiles also led the creation of new businesses, such as motels and gas stations, and led to the expansion of related production factories such as rubber, plate glass, petroleum, and steel. New surfaced roads were constructed to accommodate increased traffic.
But use of the automobile also challenged traditional family values and tried the patience of travelers. Young people used the car to exercise freedom from parental rules. Increased numbers of commuters had to face the problems of traffic congestion.
Learning Target 19: Describe social changes that came from the Harlem Renaissance, African-American migration, women’s suffrage and Prohibition.
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During the 1920s, Harlem became the center of African-American culture, attracting African-American intellectuals and artists from across the U.S. and the Caribbean. The Harlem Renaissance was a celebration of African American culture and contributed to social change. The term renaissance means “rebirth.” The themes of African-American art and literature gave pride to people of African heritage and increased awareness of the struggles related to intolerance and life in large urban centers. Jazz music flourished during the Harlem Renaissance and became an established American music genre.
During the 1910s and 1920s, the African-American population of major cities in the North and Midwest increased dramatically. The large numbers of African Americans moving to northern cities during the Great Migration increased competition for jobs, housing, and public services. Access to housing became a major source of tension between African Americans and whites during this period. Many cities adopted residential segregation ordinances to keep African Americans out of predominantly white neighborhoods.
During World War I, many supporters of women’s suffrage argued that granting women the right to vote would prove that the allies were fighting for democracy. The women’s suffrage movement saw the achievement of its goal with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. The change brought more women into the political process, eventually including women running for public office.
Led by the Anti-Saloon League and Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the movement to prohibit alcohol resulted in the ratification of the 18th amendment. The 18th Amendment banned the production, transport and sale (but not the private possession or consumption) of alcohol. Prohibition had mixed results. Establishments that openly sold liquor closed their doors. However, enforcing the law proved almost impossible, and smuggling and bootlegging were widespread. It led to speakeasies and increased organized crime. Prohibition also lacked popular support. It further divided the nation along secularist/ fundamentalist, rural/urban, and modern/ traditional lines. Prohibition was repealed with the 21st Amendment in 1933.
During the 1910s and 1920s, the African-American population of major cities in the North and Midwest increased dramatically. The large numbers of African Americans moving to northern cities during the Great Migration increased competition for jobs, housing, and public services. Access to housing became a major source of tension between African Americans and whites during this period. Many cities adopted residential segregation ordinances to keep African Americans out of predominantly white neighborhoods.
During World War I, many supporters of women’s suffrage argued that granting women the right to vote would prove that the allies were fighting for democracy. The women’s suffrage movement saw the achievement of its goal with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. The change brought more women into the political process, eventually including women running for public office.
Led by the Anti-Saloon League and Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the movement to prohibit alcohol resulted in the ratification of the 18th amendment. The 18th Amendment banned the production, transport and sale (but not the private possession or consumption) of alcohol. Prohibition had mixed results. Establishments that openly sold liquor closed their doors. However, enforcing the law proved almost impossible, and smuggling and bootlegging were widespread. It led to speakeasies and increased organized crime. Prohibition also lacked popular support. It further divided the nation along secularist/ fundamentalist, rural/urban, and modern/ traditional lines. Prohibition was repealed with the 21st Amendment in 1933.
