The 1920’s and Present

Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture

Esther Chia, Kathleen David, Olivia DiTrolio, and Jen Ondish

The Automobile: 1920’sEconomicThe Automobile first became popular in the 1920’s. In 1913 there were only 1.2 million cars registered but, in 1929 there were 26.5 million cars registered. That was an average of one car per family. The car industry had replaced the railroad industry, but other industries such as; rubber, steel, glass, and rubber all now relied on the car industry. SocialThe car dramatically changed everyday life for Americans. It affected the way Americans shopped, commuting to work, traveled for pleasure, it even changed dating. This changed culture because now men could start driving to work. Also, the dating scene changed, allowing for it to become less strict. This is another example of the young defying the old, through their cars young people could go on dates by themselves and that dramatically helped US culture to change.

The Automobile: TodayEconomic As of 2009 there were over 250,000,000 cars registered in the US. Today cars has very advanced technology. American now also rely heavily on foreign oil creating many conflicts overseas and in American politics.Social The car is still a major part of today’s society. Today the car is a representation of social standing. For example, a CEO would own a Ferrari, but a middle class family would own a Ford. How expensive the car is can be telling of how much money the driver owns, and therefore telling of social class.From Bluetooth to rear view cameras, cars have evolved greatly since the 1920’s. Cars today have made it simpler to drive and live while in the car.

The Automobile: SimilaritiesCars were and still are a major part of US culture. Cars are still used for the same everyday activities, shopping, going to work, going on vacation, dates, etc. Cars still have the same purpose and still have the same affect on society by allowing for people to travel as they please. Cars changed the culture in the 1920’s and are still changing society today.

Prohibition1920’sProhibition, through the 18th Amendment was the outlawing of manufacturing and selling of alcoholic beverages. This of course, did not stop anyone from drinking. Speakeasies were created to hide their drinking. Women were first allowed into bars at this time. This was an example of how women’ rights, socially, were changing and society’s view of women was changing. All of the illegal drinking showed the rebellious side of the young people of the 1920’s. They were going against their parents’ values. Going out and partying was the opposite of what their parents did. This shows the changing beliefs of the 1920’s because the young people went out and partied, especially girls, when that was not happening a decade before. TodayAlthough the 18th Amendment was repealed, the US still has laws in place against drinking. For example one must be 21 and over to consume alcohol. Also, the US is very strict about laws against driving while intoxicated. Although many people, especially the young break these laws.

Prohibition: SimilaritiesSimilaritiesAll laws against drinking all are passed because alcohol creates problems. Many deaths can be related to alcohol and people sober is much safer. The 18th Amendment, the age restriction, and driving while intoxicated laws were all passed because there were too many alcohol related deaths. This demonstrates American ideals are helping people and to make the world safer. On the flip side, these laws also demonstrate the rebellious side of the young people. They do not care about safety, only defying their parents. This can be seen in the 1920’s and today. Overall, these laws show the protecting side of the older Americans and the rebellious side of the young. This was a new belief of the 1920’s that is still true today.

Nativism/KKK: 1920’sNativismDuring the 1920’s immigration and the American’s people view on immigration and foreigners changed. After World War I many Americans started to fear foreigners, because of job competition or fear that they would start a revolution. This fear led the politicians to pass quota laws that restricted immigration to America. After WWI Americans did want to engage in European affairs and that included the people. There was a rise in the dislike of immigrants. This shows how American ideals and beliefs changed because America is a country of immigrants and now there were strict restrictions. KKKThe second rise of the KKK also shows a change in American ideals because in the first rise of the KKK they mostly attacked blacks. Now they also attacked Catholics, Jews, foreigners, and suspected communists. This shows a change because it shows that Americans prejudice has grown past blacks. It shows that Americans were suspicious of more groups of people than before, therefore Americans ideals have changed because

their prejudices have expanded.

Nativism/KKK: TodayToday, immigration is a major topic in American politics. More specifically illegal immigrants from Mexico crossing the border. Americans dislike all the immigrants because they fear they are competition for jobs. Also Americans dislike the fact that their taxes pay for medical bills of these illegal immigrants. It has become a controversial topic of debate in politics. Obama is said to shield 5 million illegal immigrants.

Nativism/KKK: Similarities

Fortunately, the KKK has losts its power in modern day society. But, there are similarities between modern day nativism and nativism in the 1920’s. In both times the nativists fear the immigrants, the fear of the immigrants taking Americans’ jobs. The government both times tried to control the situation by passing immigration laws. It is ironic that in the 1920’s Mexicans were exempt from the quotas and today that is whom Americans are trying to kick out. The belief of not letting anymore immigrants through as remained the same since the 1920’s. It shows that Americans are nativist that this belief that changed in the 1920’s is still true today.

Women: 1920sDuring the 1920s, gender roles began to change in women. The flapper concept became especially popular; a flapper was typically a north urban, single, middle-class woman who often sported knee length dresses and hair bobs. Flappers were one of the many symbols of how the younger generation of women were becoming more independent as opposed to the traditional, conservative women in the ages before the 1920s. Women of the twenties partook in activities such as smoking, going to bars, driving, and holding office jobs to show that they could do what men could too. Although most women were still housewives, the number of women in the workforce rose by 25%.Additionally, women revolted against sexual taboos and

promoted birth control. Women like Margaret Sanger pushed to pass the acceptance of birth control since it was against

the law in most states.Women’s suffrage also created divorce laws so that women would would be able to divorce abusive or incompatible husbands. The rate of divorce increase to a 1:8 ratio during the 1920s after this divorce laws were passed.

Women: Today● Most women of the 1920s were housewives and some entered the workforce in

which their jobs consisted of clerks, nurses, and teachers. However, in modern time, women work almost any job that men work.

● Women earn just as much money as men and sometimes even more● Women’s fashion has changed from the flapper image and has become more

diverse and about individuality/self-expression● Stereotypes of women being obligated to marry and become housewives/mothers

has diminishedo many women of today do not have families but are more independent in

pursuing their educations or careerso women have become more powerful and influential whether politically,

socially, or economically since the number of high school/college graduates for females is even higher than in the 1920s

Women: SimilaritiesBoth women in the 1920s and in modern time consist of strong feminists and advocate the idea of independence of women with equal opportunities to men. Many of the feminists are part of the younger generation.

Many of the laws passed and cultural movements during the 1920s are still promoted today.

● use of birth control ● divorce● influence of movie actresses● getting a job in the workforce● value of education ● fashion

Entertainment: 1920’sDuring the 1920’s, the first revolutionary device for entertainment was the radio. It drew the nation together by bringing the news, sports, shows, and often racial stereotypes.

● popularity ranged by ⅓ of all U.S. homes had radios● 800 stations & 10 million radios● prompted the creation of the NBC (1924) and CBS (1927) allowing connection one

end of the country to listen to the same programsThe second revolutionary entertainment in the 1920’s was the movie industry. It was centered in Hollywood, California and going to the movies attractions became a habit in cities, suburbs, and small towns.

● created a national idolization of movie stars ● that affected a new behavior, dress, and sophistication of society

Entertainment: TodayToday, in contrast regarding the radio, it is less popular than it was in the 1920’s. More people have downloaded music rather than listening to the radio and waiting for songs to play. Now the radio is majorly music as well as more commercials that are advertized. There are less sports and less news that is broadcasted because of other social platforms that you can look up instead of listen to. Also, the radio is more “politically correct” in that there are no racial stereotypes today. There are restrictions in that you can’t say anything against in a negative way towards a race, group, or people.Today, in contrast regarding the movie/film industry, it is less popular to go out to the movies than it was in the 1920’s. More Americans download movies on devices rather than going to the theatres to see the movie. Also, in terms of the quality of movies, due to the increase of technology movies today have better effects as well as animation.

Entertainment: Similarities

Entertainment in the 1920’s and today have similar ideas based on society. Americans have the same idolization towards movie stars that reflect their behavior. There also is the same national interest regarding popularity of the radio and movies.

Religion: 1920’sDuring the 1920’s, traditional, fundamental religious perspectives clashed with the growing modernist point of view during the 1920’s, which caused a severe amount of controversy.

Monkey Trial of 1925: The debate between science v.s. religion was evident in the 1920’s, but was highlighted through the Scopes “Monkey Trial” of 1925. In Dayton Tennessee, High school biology teacher John Scopes, faced court proceedings on the charge of having taught evolution in violation of the Butler Act. Under Scopes’ defense was Clarence Darrow while William Jennings Bryan argued for his persecution. Although he was fined $100 for being convicted guilty, fundamental beliefs were put under the spotlight and held in public ridicule, leading to a greater divide in religious stances.

Fundamentalists Modernists

•Theory of Creationism: God created the world in seven days [Book of Genesis]•believed in high moral codes and the literal interpretation of the Bible•blamed liberals and modernists for the decline of morals during the Jazz Age

•Theory of Darwinism: theory of evolution by Charles Darwin claiming that organisms arise and develop through natural selection •believed in new scientific and social changes in society•had critical historical and scientific views on many passages of the Bible

Religion: TodayReligion in the modern day shifted to become less “cut-throat” due to the introduction of the media and exposure to scientific principles, being classified as more secular. In the United States, Christianity is considered the most popular religion. The nature of religion decreased its dominance over society and instead now based upon the individual’s faith in terms of private personal belief.

• different religions and beliefs present itself with practical knowledge about subjects as diverse as ethics, agriculture, hygiene, and economics However, as a result of the diverse amount of religions, different philosophies provide alternative ways to understanding the world.

Individualism: moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual.Secularism: principle of the separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries

Ideals away from Religion

Charles Darwin: Evolution

Religion: Similarities

In regards to religion, people in the 1920’s and current day still have opinionated religious views. Although one would feel less pressured to conform to the ideals of a certain religion in present day America as opposed during the 1920’s, religions still remain distinct from each other.

Due to the fading significance of religion (because of media), there are still missionaries who work to strengthen the numbers of their faith by exposing people to their beliefs in hopes of them conforming.