The Roaring Twenties: The Jazz Age

What was the Jazz Age?

The Jazz Age is another name for the 1920s, referring to the cultural movement in which new music and dances emerged, especially jazz music. The movement spread across the United States, especially in the cities like Chicago and New York, and eventually hit England and other European countries.

After World War I, the United States had emerged as a world power and experienced an economic boom, which resulted in increased time spent on frivolous entertainment, like going to the movies, listening to music, and attending speakeasies. Speakeasies became a platform for jazz musicians to perform and a place for people to drink and dance.

With the growing popularity of radio, music was able to spread quickly, becoming popular across the entire nation. People also had greater mobility starting in the 1920s, as owning a car became commonplace. The movement of people added to the far range of fads and culture, like dances, and music.

Who were the prominent figures of the jazz scene in the 1920s?

Louis Armstrong’s talent on the trumpet, scat abilities, and distinctive voice made him a favorite across all demographics, influencing the genre for generations to come.

Bessie Smith and Ella Fitzgerald were two of the most prominent female singers of the 1920s. Bessie Smith was one of the most prominent Blues singers at the time, who along with Louis Armstrong, strongly influenced the jazz genre, especially for future stars like Billie Holliday.

Ella Fitzgerald was also known as “First Lady of Song” and was also a vocalist and scat singer.

Other prominent musicians of the jazz scene were Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, and Nat King Cole.

What were the effects of the Jazz Age on society?

Jazz began in African Americans societies, but soon spread to middle-class white communities, where the style continued to evolve. The popularity and acceptance of Jazz music benefited the African American community, as many white people began accepting parts of African American culture and, in turn, accepting members of the African American community. Contact between African Americans and middle-class white people increased, which helped both sides mesh. The scene

What kinds of dances were popular during the Jazz Age?

The Charleston, the Cake Walk, and the Black Bottom were three popular dances during the Jazz Age. These new dances marked an extreme break from tradition, and were considered outrageous and inappropriate for this era.

What cities were at the center of the Jazz Age?

Jazz music was influenced mainly by styles from the South, but the movement caught on and eventually traveled around the whole United States and even parts of Europe. The centers for jazz music were in New York City and Chicago. New York City’s famous borough, Harlem, was the heart of the Harlem Renaissance, with venues like the Cotton Club, where jazz musicians performed every night.

What was the Harlem Renaissance?

The New York City neighborhood, Harlem, was originally a Dutch settlement. Beginning in around 1910, around 2 million blacks relocated from the U.S. South to the North, in what became known as the (first) Great Migration. There was a general movement of both black and white people from small, rural towns to big cities during this time period, since it was easier to find jobs and opportunities in the city. Many of the 2 million blacks who relocated to the North chose New York City as their destination, eventually settling down in Harlem, partly because of residential discrimination in white neighborhoods. They were not only looking for better opportunities in the North, but also hoping to escape the racist attitudes of the South.

The community in Harlem became a place of great cultural growth, with the emergence of new musical and literary styles that popularized and gave a voice to the lives and hardships of blacks in the United States.

Both the literature and music appealed not only to blacks, but also to the middle class whites, and helped bridge the distance between the two communities, though many of the older generation resisted. The more rebellious, younger generation who wanted to separate from previous generations, readily embraced jazz music and the new styles of dance.

The Harlem Renaissance saw the emergence of a new black identity, and the beginnings of liberation from middle class society’s racism and discrimination.

What were the popular performance venues during the Jazz Age?

The speakeasies around cities were the place people gathered in the evenings to have a drink and have fun. They also became the location of many musical performances, and became a platform for musicians to share their talents.

The Cotton Club was a Harlem nightclub where many of jazz music’s legends performed and launched their careers, eventually opening other locations in Chicago and even California. The Cotton Club was a popular spot for celebrities and rich white people, and while many black entertainers graced the stage, the Cotton Club refused to allow black people to enter the club.

The Apollo Theater is also in Harlem, and is known for being the biggest venue for black performers. Ella Fitzgerald began her career on the Apollo’s stage. The Apollo continued to hold performances long past the 1920s, and even still has occasional shows.

The Roaring Twenties: Prohibition

What was Prohibition?

“Prohibition” refers to a period in United States history during the 1920s when the sale of alcohol was prohibited by the Eighteenth Amendment and the National Prohibition Act in an attempt at governmental control of social mores. The movement was referred to by President Herbert Hoover as the “Noble Experiment.” Alcohol consumption and saloon culture was viewed as corrupt and immoral, an idea fueled by the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and other similar organizations.

The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1919, banned the production, sale, and import of intoxicating liquors in the United States. The National Prohibition Act, or the Volstead Act, defined the meaning of “intoxicating liquors” as any drink with more than 0.5% alcohol. The Act also allowed for enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment by both Federal and State governments. Woodrow Wilson, who was President of the United States at this time, vetoed the National Prohibition Act, but his veto was quickly overridden by congress. In January of 1920 the ban on alcohol was put into effect, forcing every bar and saloon to close.

The movement toward Prohibition began during a period of religious revivalism in the early 1800s, along with the temperance movement, which pushed for changes in laws to reduce alcohol consumption. Maine was the first state to enact a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol in 1851, but protests and riots from the citizens pushed the state to repeal the law in 1856. A temporary ban on the manufacture of alcohol was enacted during World War I, so that all grain would be used in food production. These bans opened the door/paved the way for the Eighteenth Amendment.

What were the effects of Prohibition?

Those in favor of the ban believed it would reduce crime, solve social problems, protect families, and help promote Protestant values. What actually happened was the exact opposite.

Because prohibition was more strictly enforced in places where the law was supported (rural communities), enforcement was more difficult and looser in large cities. Prescriptions for whiskey could be easily obtained for medical purposes from doctors. People began to find places to gather to drink, discovering creative ways of buying alcohol or making it at home. This homemade liquor became known as “moonshine” because of the way it was made and sold illegally, usually at night. Those who smuggled alcohol into the country illegally were called bootleggers, in reference to a flask filled with liquor stashed in a boot.

Prohibition ultimately encouraged illegal activity in general, as people who were not normally inclined to break the law began to see laws as arbitrary. More women drank during Prohibition than ever before, with the evolution of the flapper, or New Woman.

Prohibition also helped fund organized crime, leading to the rise of Al Capone and other gangsters in Chicago. Gangsters profited from bootlegging and running speakeasies, and began to live extravagant lifestyles. Capone’s mob, known as “The Chicago Outfit” eventually controlled nearly all speakeasies in Chicago. Turf-wars between rival gangs caused violence in Chicago to rise dramatically, culminating in the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929.

What is a speakeasy?

Speakeasies were underground bars that illegally served alcohol, or allowed people to bring their own liquor, that were established around the country, especially in large cities like New York City and Chicago. The secretive nature of these establishments earned them the name “speakeasy,” as patrons were told to “speak easy,” or quietly, when they were inside, so they wouldn’t be heard. Though they were necessarily secret operations, many speakeasies were well known, high-class establishments.

When did Prohibition end?

Prohibition ended during the Great Depression, when the government realized that the production and sale legalized liquor would help create jobs and raise revenue. The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution was repealed December 5, 1933 with the Twenty-first Amendment. Some states continued their own prohibition laws for many years, some so recent as 1966. Today, there are still “Dry Counties” whose governments prohibit the sale of alcohol around the United States, though they are primarily located in the South.

The Roaring Twenties

What were the Roaring Twenties?

The Roaring Twenties refers to the period of social and political shift that occurred during the 1920s, primarily in the United States. The major symbols that represent this era are the flapper, the automobile, jazz music, and speakeasies. The Roaring Twenties were an era of cultural revolution that gave way to a cultural civil war between the small town conservatives, and the multicultural and liberal city dwellers. Those living in cities embraced the societal changes and advancements, and began to break with traditions and rebel against them, turning to a new lifestyle. Rural communities opposed the changes, fearing they would negatively affect their families and traditions.

What were the causes of the culture shift of the Roaring Twenties?

Economy: After World War I the United States first experienced a brief period of recession, which quickly rebounded and turned into an economic boom, establishing the nation as a world power

Prosperity gave people extra money to spend, which led to the increase of spending on forms of entertainment, like movie theaters, music, dancing, and drinking. The increased prosperity of the middle-class led to consumerism, or the need to spend money and accelerate consumption.

Inventions: With Henry Ford’s use of the assembly line to mass produce the Ford Model T beginning in 1914, automobiles became affordable, and soon necessary, for the middle class. The mobilization and freedom that automobiles created were influential in the transformation of society. Infrastructure, service stations, and motels began to spread across the country.

Mass production also increased the affordability of household appliances, such as electric washing machines and dishwashers, which became common in middle-class homes during the 1920s. These appliances increased efficiency and reduced the amount of time necessary to perform chores in the home, freeing many women from their domestic duties. Women were able to seek jobs outside the home and had more free time for entertainment.

Radios became very common, which allowed for the spread of culture from coast to coast, creating mass culture. Advertisements on radio meant that people, driven by consumerism, bought the same products across the country.

Increased wealth and free time meant more people spent their time and money on entertainment and pleasure. The movie theater and dance clubs became popular hangouts.

These advancements in technology gave Americans a sense of security after the War, making them optimistic about the future.

Urbanization: For the first time in United States history, more people were living in the cities than in rural areas. Immigration booms increased the populations of many large cities, especially New York. The Great Migration, or the mass movement of African Americans from the South to the North, also led to increases in big city living.

How did the role of women change during the Roaring Twenties?

The 1920s turned out to be a very important decade for women, drastically redefining the role of women in society as well as the home. Increasingly, women began pursuing higher education at universities and jobs outside the home.

On August 18, 1920, the 19^th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, was ratified. Susan B. Anthony’s years of activism with the women’s suffrage movement finally paid off with the success of this Amendment, making way for more freedom and equalities to follow.

The assistance of household appliances liberated women from the home, giving them the ability and time to secure jobs and other activities outside the home.

The fight for women’s rights continued in 1921, as Margaret Sanger led the fight to give women the option of birth control. This resulted in sexual liberation for women by giving them the choice of not having children.

These factors soon led to the emergence of a new type of woman who broke free from traditions that were seen as oppressive, opting for short skirts, short hair worn in a bob, and new fashions. These women became known as flappers, a term which may be derived from baby birds flapping their wings, or slang for teenage girls or even prostitutes.

What are the characteristics of flappers?

Flappers were known for their short, boyish hair and French-influenced fashion that also made them look more boyish. Flappers broke free from the traditional restrictive corset, which had served to accentuate curves, and opted instead for the loose, drop-waist dresses that disguised any natural curves. They created a new version of feminine, wearing high heels, showing their legs, and wearing heavy makeup.

These style choices symbolized their break from tradition by rebelling against the gender roles imposed on them. Until this point, societal rules insisted that women needed to be proper, and both physically and socially constricted to be considered feminine. Flappers were pushing the boundaries, as well as breaking them.

The behavior of flappers was also quite different than that of the traditional woman. Flappers smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol, and danced freely. They voiced their opinions and asserted themselves, living a hedonistic lifestyle.

Many people criticized flappers, calling them brash and manly for stepping out of their gender roles. Some men claimed they were trying to act like men, or even disguise themselves as men, in order to gain power. Some of the women who had fought for women’s suffrage even criticized flappers, believing they were vapid and brainless for their fun and promiscuity.

Independence Day

Why is the 4th of July America’s national holiday?

 It was on the 4th of July, 1776, that the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. They had actually voted to declare independence from Great Britain two days prior, on July 2nd, but did not finalize the document until the 4th. Future President John Adams and others even predicted after the vote that July 2nd might become America’s national holiday, but it turned out that the date of the Declaration of Independence’s finalization became far more well-known amongst the public.

What was the Continental Congress?

 The Continental Congress was made up of delegates from the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. The object of the First Continental Congress (in 1774) was to make joint decisions regarding colonial rights in the face of British rule, while the Second Continental Congress (1775-1776) had to decide what to do about the future in light of the military conflicts that had already taken place. All of the colonies were represented except Georgia, which later sent representatives to be part of the Second Continental Congress in time for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Continental Congress governed the United States during this time and instituted its first federal government with the Articles of Confederation. Later on, all of this would form the basis of the U.S. Constitution, and everything that defines the nation as we know it today.

Who signed the Declaration of Independence?

 The Declaration of Independence was signed by a total of fifty-six men representing the thirteen original colonies of Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. The largest and most famous physical signature on the document is that of John Hancock, who was the President of Congress at the time. It also includes the signatures of notable Founding Fathers such as Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Historians have often debated whether the Declaration of Independence was, in fact, signed on July 4th rather than a later date. The truth of the matter can never be completely known, but a large number of historians believe that it was not signed all at once, and that many of the signers added their names on or after August 2nd of 1776.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

The main author of the Declaration of Independence is considered to be Thomas Jefferson, one of the major Founding Fathers of the United States. However, it is known that the Continental Congress made some changes to the document in order to make it acceptable to all the representatives of the various colonies. The Declaration of Independence was also never intended to be an expression of any one person’s opinions, but a summation of the colonies’ frustrations with Great Britain and their intentions to break away from the rule of its government.

 Did the Declaration of Independence end the Revolutionary War?

 The American Revolution had been raging for a year before the Declaration of Independence was adopted, but all the most decisive battles were yet to come. After some major defeats of revolutionary forces by the British, the latter demanded that the Declaration of Independence be withdrawn in exchange for peace. This was not done, and the battles continued for several more years. The point was at last made moot in 1783, when the Treaty of Paris ended the hostilities between Great Britain and the United States, acknowledging the American claim to independence.

When did Americans start celebrating the 4th of July?

 Americans have been celebrating on this day since the Declaration of Independence was first signed in 1776. However, it took a long time for it to become the official national holiday of the United States. “Independence Day,” as it began to be called in the early 1790s, was recognized by some states but did not become a federal holiday until the year 1870. Nevertheless, this important anniversary has been recognized by most Americans, whether formally or informally, since the birth of the nation.

 How has Independence Day been observed over the years?

 Americans traditionally celebrate their Independence Day with picnics, barbecues, nighttime fireworks displays, and other patriotic actions such as flying the American flag. Many of the earliest kinds of celebrations, which still continue to this day, encompass military demonstrations such as the thirteen-gun salute in honor of the thirteen original colonies. There are also tons of unique or whimsical celebrations, like the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York (said to have resulted from a dispute between four immigrants as to who was the most patriotic). The 4th of July has come to be one of the most beloved holidays among the American people, signifying both the potential for summer fun and the pride that comes along with freedom.

The Oregon Trail

How long is the Oregon Trail?

The Oregon Trail covers a total distance of roughly 2,000 miles (more than 3,000 kilometers). It is actually a series of routes that stretch from the city of Independence, Missouri to various locations in Oregon and California. The Oregon Trail was the primary means by which American settlers reached the Pacific Coast in the nineteenth century.

How long did it take to traverse Oregon Trail?

The journey was difficult and could take anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the circumstances. Emigrants left in groups made up of several families, carrying their belongings in covered wagons drawn by livestock. These settlers would face many dangers along the way, such as injury, disease, bad weather, or raids by Native Americans. Surviving the journey, and the amount of time that it took, was usually a matter of luck.

What was the importance of the Oregon Trail?

Perhaps most importantly, the Oregon Trail was what allowed the massive westward migration of hundreds of thousands of Americans, one that forever changed the character of the entire conteninent. The influx of American settlers also allowed the United States to make a stronger claim on the region, which was in dispute between the U.S., Spain, Canada, and Russia. The United States eventually gained control of the territory through a series of treaties, but this would not have been possible had so many Americans not already been living there. Even a century later, as the national highway system came into being, the routes and towns established during the heyday of the Oregon Trail formed the basis for a pathway that continues to be used by countless travelers.

Why did everybody want to get to the West Coast?

Each settler had their own individual reasons for traveling across the Oregon Trail, but most were looking to make a new life for themselves and their families. Land was cheap and plentiful in Oregon and California, and brought with it the possibility of economic fortune. Many of the emigrants were Mormons fleeing religious persecution, settling in large numbers in what is now the state of Utah. Others were religious missionaries that wanted to bring Christianity to the lawless West. The collective desire among Americans to travel westwards had no one cause or goal, but the promise represented by the American West remains a powerful force in the nation’s culture.

Who created the Oregon Trail?

The first Europeans to explore the territory were the lone explorers and fur trappers that came to the area on their own, looking for trade. Lewis and Clark showed up with a greater cause in mind, and were the first explorers to bring back maps of the region to the East. None of the passes that they discovered through the Rocky Mountains proved to be amenable to large groups of settlers and wagons, however. Over time, thousands of individuals, such as the well-known “mountain men,” developed the area for commerce and wagon traffic.

Who were the mountain men?

The term “mountain man” is used to refer to any of a diverse group of hunters, traders, and explorers that populated the Rocky Mountain area from the late eighteenth century up until the early twentieth century. They flourished during the boom years of the fur trade during the first half of the 1900s, and their discoveries contributed the most to the European-American settlers’ development of the area. When the fur trade began to decline, many mountain men fell into a natural role of helping to guide Oregon Trail pioneers across the Rocky Mountains. They have often been romanticized in the American consciousness, especially figures like Kit Carson and Jedediah Strong Smith (whose rediscovery of the South Pass was partially responsible for the boom in westward expansion).

What was the South Pass?

The South Pass is an area in what is now southwestern Wyoming that provides the least difficult crossing point for land traffic across the Rocky Mountains. The first European-American to discover it was Robert Stuart, as part of an 1812 scouting expedition for the Pacific Fur Company. His discovery, however, was not widely publicized, and the South Pass remained unknown to American settlers until Jedediah Strong Smith found it again in 1824. The pass greatly eased the difficulty of transporting wagons to the Pacific Coast, and made the phenomenon of the Oregon Trail possible.

How long was the Oregon Trail active?

The Oregon Trail was the most active between the years of 1841 and 1848, with the so-called “Great Migration” of over 800 emigrants at once taking place during 1843. Many others followed, and over the course of these boom years, hundreds of thousands of people crossed the Rockies. Emigration slowed after that, but remained active as late as the 1890s. The construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, however, was the main reason the Oregon Trail ultimately became obsolete.

What was the First Transcontinental Railroad?

Railroads were already crisscrossing the eastern United States, profoundly changing the business of transport and travel. After a six-year effort, a railway line was completed that finally connected the Pacific Coast to the American Midwest, making travel and commerce between the two areas easier than ever before. This breakthrough made the long, difficult journey by wagon a far less attractive prospect, and ultimately led to the decline of the Oregon Trail.