Unit VIII – Boom Times Unit VIII – Boom Times and Challenges (1919-and Challenges (1919-

1945)1945)

Chapter 24 Section 3Chapter 24 Section 3

The Jazz AgeThe Jazz Age

The Jazz AgeThe Jazz Age

The Big Idea

Musicians, artists, actors, and writers contributed to American popular culture in the 1920s.

Main Ideas

• Radio and movies linked the country in a national culture.

• Jazz and blues music became popular nationwide.

• Writers and artists introduced new styles and artistic ideas.

Entertainment: The Movies, Radio, and Sports (06:30)

Main Idea 1:Main Idea 1:Radio and movies linked the country in a Radio and movies linked the country in a

national culture.national culture.

Opened new worlds for audiences

1927 movie The Jazz SingerThe Jazz Singer was the first talkie, or motion picture with sound

Became big business

Movie starsMovie stars became national heroes.

Radio

National radio networksNational radio networks, such as NBC and CBS, formed.

New access to music, news, political speeches, sports music, news, political speeches, sports broadcastsbroadcasts, and more

Allowed Americans everywhere to share common experiences

Sports Fans packed stadiums and listenedlistened on radios as

athletes played and broke new records.

BaseballBaseball was incredibly popular and had its own celebritiescelebrities, such as Babe Ruth.

Movies

Radio Drives Popular CultureRadio Drives Popular Culture

Radio Station Boom• The growing popularity of

those simple broadcasts caught the attention of Westinghouse, a radio manufacturer.

• In October 1920, October 1920, Westinghouse started Westinghouse started KDKAKDKA, the first radio station.

• By 1922 the U.S. had 570 1922 the U.S. had 570 stationsstations.

• Technical improvements in sound and size helped popularity.

• Americans now had a shared experience.

During the 1920s, the radioradio went from being a little-known novelty to being standard equipmentstandard equipment in every American home.

Rise of the Radio

• GuglielmoGuglielmo Marconi Marconi invented the radio in the late 1800s, and by the early 1900s the military and ships at sea used them.

• In 1920, most Americans still didn’t own radios, and there was not any programming.

• In 1920, a radio hobbyist near Pittsburgh started playing records over his radio, and people started listening.

MoviesMovies

Talkies and Cartoons

• Another important innovation was the introduction of films with sound, or “talkiestalkies.”

• In 19271927 filmgoers were amazed by The Jazz The Jazz SingerSinger, a hugely successful movie that incorporated a few lines of dialogue and helped change the movie industry forever.

• In 1928, the animated 1928, the animated film film SteamboatSteamboat Willie introduced Mickey Mouse and cartoons.

Movies exploded in popularity during the 1920s for several reasons.

New Film Techniques

• In early years movies were short, simple pieces.

• During World War I, filmmaker D. W. Griffith produced D. W. Griffith produced The The Birth of a NationBirth of a Nation, a controversial film that some consider racist.

• The film nonetheless introduced innovative movie techniquesinnovative movie techniques and helped establish film as an art form and widened its audience.

• Woodrow Wilson, after seeing the movie, said, “it’s like writing history with lightning.”

By the end of the 1920s, Americans bought 100 million movie tickets a week, though the entire U.S. population was about 123 million people.

Film Star HeroesFilm Star Heroes

• The great popularity of movies in the 1920s gave rise

to a new kind of celebrity—the movie star.• One of the brightest stars of the 1920s was Charlie Charlie

ChaplinChaplin, a comedian whose signature character was a

tramp in a derby hat and ragged clothes.• Rudolph ValentinoRudolph Valentino, a dashing leading man of romantic

films, was such a big star that his unexpected death in

1926 drew tens of thousands of women to the funeral

home where his body lay.• Clara BowClara Bow was a movie star nicknamed the “It Girl.”“It Girl.”• Mary PickfordMary Pickford was considered “America’s Sweetheart”“America’s Sweetheart”

and was married to Douglas Fairbanks JrDouglas Fairbanks Jr., a major star

of action films.• Their home, called “Pickfair,” was in Hollywood, the

center of the motion picture industry.

1920’s Movies1920’s Movies

Fairbanks and Pickford

Janet Gaynor

Rudolph ValentinoRudolph Valentino

Charlie Chaplin

Buster Keaton- The Great Stone Face

Charles Lindbergh

• Charles Lindbergh was a daredevil pilotCharles Lindbergh was a daredevil pilot who practiced his skills as an airline pilot, a dangerous, life-threatening job at the time.

• Lindbergh heard about a $25,000 prize for the first aviator to fly a nonstop transatlantic flighttransatlantic flight, or a flight across the Atlantic Ocean, and wanted to win.

• He rejected the idea that he needed a large plane with many engines, and developed a very light single-engine craft with room for only one pilot.

• On May 21, 1927May 21, 1927, Lindbergh succeeded by touching down in Paris, France after a thirty-three-and-a-half-hour flightthirty-three-and-a-half-hour flight from New York.

• Lindbergh earned the name “Lucky Lindy”“Lucky Lindy” and became the most beloved American hero of the time.

• A little over a year after Lindbergh’s flight, Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart became the first first woman to fly across the Atlanticwoman to fly across the Atlantic, returning to the U.S. as a hero.

• She went on to set numerous speed and distance records as a pilot.

• In 19371937 she was most of the way through a record-breaking flight around the world when she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Pilot Heroes of the TwentiesPilot Heroes of the Twenties

Amelia Earhart

Charles Lindbergh - May 20, 1927 Charles Lindbergh - May 20, 1927 (03:12)(03:12)

Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh Lindbergh Does It! To Paris in 33 1/2 Hours; Lindbergh Does It! To Paris in 33 1/2 Hours;

Flies 1,000 Miles Through Snow and Sleet; Flies 1,000 Miles Through Snow and Sleet; Cheering French Carry Him Off FieldCheering French Carry Him Off FieldNew York TimesNew York Times, May 21, 1927, May 21, 1927

Lindbergh, Charles Augustus (1902-1974), an Lindbergh, Charles Augustus (1902-1974), an American aviator, made the first solo nonstop American aviator, made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20-21, flight across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20-21, 1927. Other pilots had crossed the Atlantic 1927. Other pilots had crossed the Atlantic before him. But Lindbergh was the first person before him. But Lindbergh was the first person to do it alone nonstop. to do it alone nonstop.

Lindbergh's feat gained him immediate, Lindbergh's feat gained him immediate, international fame. The press named him international fame. The press named him "Lucky Lindy" and the "Lone Eagle." Americans "Lucky Lindy" and the "Lone Eagle." Americans and Europeans idolized the shy, slim young and Europeans idolized the shy, slim young man and showered him with honors. man and showered him with honors.

Before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Lindbergh campaigned against voluntary Lindbergh campaigned against voluntary American involvement in World War II. Many American involvement in World War II. Many Americans criticized him for his Americans criticized him for his noninvolvement beliefs. After the war, he noninvolvement beliefs. After the war, he avoided publicity until the late 1960's, when avoided publicity until the late 1960's, when he spoke out for the conservation of natural he spoke out for the conservation of natural resources. Lindbergh served as an adviser in resources. Lindbergh served as an adviser in the aviation industry from the days of wood the aviation industry from the days of wood and wire airplanes to supersonic jets.and wire airplanes to supersonic jets.

Crossing the AtlanticCrossing the Atlantic

The The Spirit of St. LouisSpirit of St. Louis fought wind, ice, clouds, fought wind, ice, clouds, and darkness- all challenges Lindbergh had faced and darkness- all challenges Lindbergh had faced before as a mail pilot.before as a mail pilot.

He couldn’t sleep at all before the flight, and the He couldn’t sleep at all before the flight, and the crossing itself took a day and ½.crossing itself took a day and ½.

The plane offered no forward visibility, it was The plane offered no forward visibility, it was almost 10:00 at night, and he was dangerously almost 10:00 at night, and he was dangerously exhausted.exhausted.

Radio reports from Ireland, where he had been Radio reports from Ireland, where he had been spotted, reached Paris in time for thousands of spotted, reached Paris in time for thousands of people to surprise and welcome him.people to surprise and welcome him.

It was the radio which was first to share his It was the radio which was first to share his success when he arrived. success when he arrived.

1920’s Fads 1920’s Fads His name was Alvin Kelly but he His name was Alvin Kelly but he was best known as "Shipwreck" was best known as "Shipwreck" Kelly. Employed as a professional Kelly. Employed as a professional stuntman in Hollywood, Kelly stuntman in Hollywood, Kelly decided to attempt to sit on a decided to attempt to sit on a flagpole in response to a dare from flagpole in response to a dare from a Hollywood friend. He sat upon the a Hollywood friend. He sat upon the pole for 13 hours and 13 minutes pole for 13 hours and 13 minutes and began a national spectacle. and began a national spectacle.

Kelly's stunt occurred in 1924 and Kelly's stunt occurred in 1924 and within weeks hundreds of people within weeks hundreds of people were trying to call themselves the were trying to call themselves the "King of the Pole." One man sat for "King of the Pole." One man sat for 12 days, another for 17 and another 12 days, another for 17 and another for 21 days. Public fascination was for 21 days. Public fascination was phenomenal as huge crowds would phenomenal as huge crowds would gather to watch the participant. gather to watch the participant. With such a large audience, the With such a large audience, the publicity-hungry Kelly decided that publicity-hungry Kelly decided that he must once again be King. In he must once again be King. In Atlantic City, New Jersey, Kelly sat Atlantic City, New Jersey, Kelly sat atop a flagpole for a record 49 days atop a flagpole for a record 49 days in front of an audience of 20,000 in front of an audience of 20,000 admirers.admirers.

1920’s 1920’s Fads Fads

In the early 1930s, during the height of The In the early 1930s, during the height of The Depression, young people across America Depression, young people across America gathered to participate in Dance Marathons. gathered to participate in Dance Marathons. These endurance contests offered the These endurance contests offered the unemployed hopes of temporary fame, small unemployed hopes of temporary fame, small fortune, and the opportunity to dance their fortune, and the opportunity to dance their cares away. Prizes ranged anywhere between cares away. Prizes ranged anywhere between $1000 to $5000, but many contestants $1000 to $5000, but many contestants participated solely for the promise of food participated solely for the promise of food and shelter. Serious competitors danced for and shelter. Serious competitors danced for days, even weeks at a time. The record days, even weeks at a time. The record stands at 5,148 hours and 28.5 minutes. The stands at 5,148 hours and 28.5 minutes. The contestants were usually allowed a mere 15 contestants were usually allowed a mere 15 minutes of rest for every hour of dancing. minutes of rest for every hour of dancing. Success came to those who had the ability to Success came to those who had the ability to keep their partner moving at all times; style keep their partner moving at all times; style was irrelevant.was irrelevant.

Hot toys included the Hot toys included the erector seterector set, , tinker toystinker toys, , and and lincolnlincoln logs logs. The . The Ouija BoardOuija Board became became popular. Sales of this game soared.popular. Sales of this game soared.

Sports HeroesSports HeroesRadio helped inflame the public passion for sports, and millions of Americans tuned in to broadcasts of ballgames and prize fights featuring their favorite athletes.

Helen WillsHelen Wills:Played powerful tennistennis, winning 31 major tournaments and two Olympic gold medals. Her nerves of steel earned her the nickname “Little Miss Poker Face.”

Red GrangeRed Grange:College footballfootball player who earned the nickname the “Galloping Ghost” for his speed. He turned professional after college, which was shocking at the time.

Babe Ruth:Babe Ruth: Known as the “Sultan of Swat,” Ruth was legendary on the baseballbaseball field for his home runs. His legend lives on today in baseball circles and popular culture.

Bobby Jones:Bobby Jones: Jones won golf’s first Grand Slam, meaning he won the game’s four major tournaments, and remains the only golfergolfer to get a Grand Slam for matches in one calendar year.

Babe Ruth - 5:37 min.Babe Ruth - 5:37 min.

1920’s 1920’s SportsSports

Up until 1922, no swimmer, male or female, had been able to Up until 1922, no swimmer, male or female, had been able to swim the 100 meters in under a minute's time. American swim the 100 meters in under a minute's time. American Johnny Weissmuller (1904 - 1984), an exception to the Johnny Weissmuller (1904 - 1984), an exception to the record books, broke the record with 58.6 seconds swimming record books, broke the record with 58.6 seconds swimming freestyle on July 9. This, however, was not Weissmuller's freestyle on July 9. This, however, was not Weissmuller's only feat. He went on to win three gold medals at the 1924 only feat. He went on to win three gold medals at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France, and two gold medals at the 1928 Olympics in Paris, France, and two gold medals at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam. In his career, he claimed 52 U.S. Olympics in Amsterdam. In his career, he claimed 52 U.S. titles and 28 world distance records. 1st “Tarzan” in the titles and 28 world distance records. 1st “Tarzan” in the movies.movies.

Gertrude Ederle (1906 - ), who was born on October 23, Gertrude Ederle (1906 - ), who was born on October 23, 1906, was a superb swimmer. Not only did she win three 1906, was a superb swimmer. Not only did she win three Olympic medallions and break several records, but to top it Olympic medallions and break several records, but to top it all off, she went on to become the first woman to swim across all off, she went on to become the first woman to swim across the English Channel. When she swam the 21 miles on August the English Channel. When she swam the 21 miles on August 6, 1926, Ederle was only nineteen. Her time: 14 hours and 31 6, 1926, Ederle was only nineteen. Her time: 14 hours and 31 minutes - good enough to beat the previously set men's minutes - good enough to beat the previously set men's record.record.

George Herman Ruth (1895 - 1948), often known to his fans George Herman Ruth (1895 - 1948), often known to his fans as Babe Ruth, hit a total of 60 home runs in 1927. This as Babe Ruth, hit a total of 60 home runs in 1927. This record-breaker would remain a record itself until 1961, record-breaker would remain a record itself until 1961, when Roger Eugene Maris (1934 - 85) hit 61 home runs. when Roger Eugene Maris (1934 - 85) hit 61 home runs. Babe Ruth, who earned more than $2 million in his career, Babe Ruth, who earned more than $2 million in his career, was known by several other names as well. These included: was known by several other names as well. These included: the Bambino, the Behemoth of Bust, the Blunderbuss, the the Bambino, the Behemoth of Bust, the Blunderbuss, the Colossus of Clout, the Mammoth of Maul, the Mauling Colossus of Clout, the Mammoth of Maul, the Mauling Mastodon, the Mauling Monarch, the Prince of Powders, the Mastodon, the Mauling Monarch, the Prince of Powders, the Rajah of Rap, the Sultan of Swat, and the Wazir of Wham. Rajah of Rap, the Sultan of Swat, and the Wazir of Wham. Among all of his other accomplishments, this southpaw Among all of his other accomplishments, this southpaw pitcher was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.pitcher was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

1920’s 1920’s SportsSports

Like Babe Ruth is to baseball so is Man O' War is to Like Babe Ruth is to baseball so is Man O' War is to horse racing. The horse they called Big Red burst onto horse racing. The horse they called Big Red burst onto the scene as a two year old and would win 20 of 21 races. the scene as a two year old and would win 20 of 21 races. As a three-year-old he did not lose when he did race he As a three-year-old he did not lose when he did race he often gave 30 pounds to his rivals. Although he did not often gave 30 pounds to his rivals. Although he did not win the Triple Crown it was only because he did not race win the Triple Crown it was only because he did not race in the Kentucky Derby.in the Kentucky Derby.

Legendary Notre Dame Football coach Knute Rockne in Legendary Notre Dame Football coach Knute Rockne in 1924 featured one of the greatest backfields in college 1924 featured one of the greatest backfields in college football history. They were Harry Stuhldreher, Jim football history. They were Harry Stuhldreher, Jim Crowley, Don Miller and Elmer Layden. They got their Crowley, Don Miller and Elmer Layden. They got their nickname the four horseman by sports writer Grantland nickname the four horseman by sports writer Grantland Rice who compared them to those of biblical fame. " Rice who compared them to those of biblical fame. " Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the four Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the four horseman rode again”horseman rode again”

Red Grange became a household name when he scored 5 Red Grange became a household name when he scored 5 touchdowns against Michigan. However his biggest touchdowns against Michigan. However his biggest accomplishment was probably establishing the pro game. accomplishment was probably establishing the pro game. Up to that point the NFL was in the same category as Up to that point the NFL was in the same category as monster truck shows are today. Well that changed when monster truck shows are today. Well that changed when Red Grange decided to go pro after his final college game. Red Grange decided to go pro after his final college game. “Galloping Ghost” “Galloping Ghost”

Jack Dempsey was not just the greatest heavyweight of Jack Dempsey was not just the greatest heavyweight of the decade but usually makes anyone short list for the the decade but usually makes anyone short list for the best of all-time. He was a fierce fighter and usually best of all-time. He was a fierce fighter and usually awarded boxing fans with exciting fights. This made him awarded boxing fans with exciting fights. This made him very popular figure of the day, along with Babe Ruth he very popular figure of the day, along with Babe Ruth he was probably the most well known sportsmen of his time. was probably the most well known sportsmen of his time. He also took par in one of the most famous fights in He also took par in one of the most famous fights in boxing history " The Long Count fight in a rematch with boxing history " The Long Count fight in a rematch with Gene Tunney.Gene Tunney.

The four Horsemen

Man O’ War

Red Grange

A National CultureA National Culture

IdentifyIdentify – Name two national radio – Name two national radio networks.networks.

CompareCompare – What was the difference – What was the difference between the between the The Jazz SingerThe Jazz Singer and and the movies made before it?the movies made before it?

Make GeneralizationsMake Generalizations – In what – In what way did radio help build a new way did radio help build a new national culture?national culture?

A National CultureA National Culture

IdentifyIdentify – Name two national radio networks. – Name two national radio networks. CompareCompare – What was the difference between – What was the difference between

the the The Jazz SingerThe Jazz Singer and the movies made and the movies made before it?before it?

Make GeneralizationsMake Generalizations – In what way did – In what way did radio help build a new national culture?radio help build a new national culture?

Make InferencesMake Inferences – By what means do you – By what means do you think Americans heard about baseball, think Americans heard about baseball, swimming events and the flights of Lindbergh swimming events and the flights of Lindbergh and Earhart?and Earhart?

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:Jazz and blues music became popular Jazz and blues music became popular

nationwide.nationwide. An explosion in the popularity of jazz music gave the

1920s a nickname– the Jazz AgeJazz Age. Jazz developed in New OrleansNew Orleans. Blending of African American, European, and West African American, European, and West

AfricanAfrican harmonies and rhythms

Jazz was popularpopular with young Americans. Loved the music and the fast-paced dances that swept the

nation

Jazz musicians were innovatorsinnovators. Artists like Louis Armstrong and Edward “Duke” Louis Armstrong and Edward “Duke”

EllingtonEllington made major contributions to music.

Blues musicBlues music also became popular in the 1920s Originated in the rural Southrural South of the Mississippi Delta Began as an expression of the sufferingexpression of the suffering of African

Americans during slavery

Harlem Performers and MusiciansHarlem Performers and Musicians

Musicians

• Harlem was a vital center for jazzjazz, a musical blend of several different forms from the Lower South with new innovations in sound.

• Much of jazz was improvised, or composed on the spot.

• Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong was a leading performer on the Harlem jazz scene.

• Other performers included Bessie Smith,Bessie Smith, Cab Calloway, and composers Duke Ellington and Fats Waller.

The Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance helped create new opportunities for African American stage performers, who only began being offered serious roles on the American stage in the 1920s.

Performers

• Paul RobesonPaul Robeson came to New York to practice law but won fame onstage, performing in movies and stage productions like Othello.

• Robeson also played in the groundbreaking 1921 musical Shuffle Along, which had an all-black cast.

• Josephine BakerJosephine Baker was also in that show, and she went on to a remarkable career as a singer and dancer in the U.S. and in Europe, where black performers were more accepted.

Popular MusicPopular Music

IdentifyIdentify – Name three dance crazes – Name three dance crazes of the Roaring Twenties.of the Roaring Twenties.

Draw ConclusionsDraw Conclusions – What did “Jelly – What did “Jelly Roll” Morton’s grandmother think of Roll” Morton’s grandmother think of his music?his music?

RateRate – Justify the following – Justify the following statement: Jazz musicians enjoyed statement: Jazz musicians enjoyed their work.their work.

Main Idea 3:Main Idea 3:Writers and artists introduced new styles Writers and artists introduced new styles

and artistic ideas.and artistic ideas.

The Harlem neighborhood of New York City became the center of the Harlem Harlem RenaissanceRenaissance, a period of African American artistic accomplishment.Many African Americans came to Harlem in the

Great Migration.Harlem Renaissance writers made lasting

contributions to American culture.Langston Hughes wrote poems, plays, and novelsLangston Hughes wrote poems, plays, and novels

about African American life.Claude McKay was a poetClaude McKay was a poet and activist who spoke

out against racial discrimination.Zora Neale Hurston’sZora Neale Hurston’s writings reflected the

experiences of African American women.African American women.

Painting

• Painters experimented with new styles.

• Edward Hopper painted images of loneliness of modern urban life.

• Georgia O’Keeffe was known for detailed paintings of flowers and of the Southwest.

New Directions in ArtNew Directions in Art

Architecture

• Architects of the 1920s embraced a new style called art deco.

• Buildings constructed in this style had clean, sharp lines resembling machines.

Life in HarlemLife in Harlem New York City was one of the northern cities many African

Americans moved to during the Great Migration, and by the early 1920s, about 200,000 African Americans lived in the 1920s, about 200,000 African Americans lived in the city.city.

Most of these people lived in a neighborhood known as Harlem, which became the unofficial capital of African American culture and activism in the United States.

A key figure in Harlem’s rise was W.E.B. Du BoisW.E.B. Du Bois, a well-educated, Massachusetts-born African American leader.

In 1909 Du Bois helped found the National Association for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in New York City.

Du Bois also served as editor of a magazine called The CrisisThe Crisis,, a major outlet for African American writing and poetry, which helped promote the African American arts movement.

This movement was known as the Harlem Renaissance.

The Lost GenerationThe Lost Generation Writers who criticized American society in Writers who criticized American society in

the 1920sthe 1920s became known as the Lost Lost Generation.Generation. Wrote of their experiencesWrote of their experiences living in the United States

and abroad Often felt feelings of disillusionmentdisillusionment with American

society Many moved to ParisMany moved to Paris in the 1920s and formed a

community of expatriatesexpatriates, people who leave their home country to live elsewhere.

Writers of the Lost Generation Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway wrote short stories and novels and

gained fame for his powerful and direct writing style. F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald wrote about the loss of morality

during the Jazz Age in his novel The Great Gatsby. Sinclair LewisSinclair Lewis was the first American to receive the

Nobel Prize in literature.