The 1920s in America

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The 1920s in America

• A period of political and economic
• Conservatism, but,
• cultural experimentation

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The 1920s, summarized
Political conservatism
Economic prosperity
Rapid social and cultural change
Partial withdrawal from foreign involvements
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Conservatism
There was a conservative reaction to the
political and social conflicts of the
Progressive Era
liberalism, reformers, protesters and
do-gooders were attacked
A lets get back to the good old days sentiment
expressed a general desire to not have to think
too much about issues and conflicts
A return to normalcy slogan is coined by
President Harding
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Conservatism, continued
Reaction to the casualties and disruptions of
WWI, and the perception that the war had not
made the world safe for democracy
The Red Scare was a reactionary, hysterical
fear that a communist plot to overthrow the U.S.
government existed
This fear led to the violation of many peoples
constitutional rights by officials, police , and
even self-appointed vigilantes
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Conservatism, continued
During the 1920s(1920-1932), the U. S. had
conservative Republican presidents Harding,
Coolidge, and Hoover
They favored a laissez-faire approach to the
business community, and a rugged individualism
approach to social issues
They backed off the previous presidents efforts
to regulate and check abuses by big business
The businessman became a national hero
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Warren G. Harding
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Calvin Coolidge
Silent Cal
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Herbert Hoover
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Boom and Bust in the Economy
There was an extended period of growth in jobs
and business profits
Most Americans benefited from this expansion,
with the exception of farmers and unskilled
workers
Many Americans made large and small fortunes
by speculating (gambling) in the stock and real
estate markets
By 1929, the land and stock markets collapse like
a house of Cards, cutting the U.S. economy off
at the knees
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Cultural Change
New challenges to cultural traditions come into
conflict with sentiments to return to social
conservatism and old time religion
The Jazz Age reflects carefree lifestyles
The Harlem Renaissance- there was a flowering of
creativity in the African American community in
New York City, and elsewhere
There were challenges and debates about who is
American
The reactionary Ku Klux Klan movement rises, and
falls again
religion challenges science for the truth
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credits
http//www.travelphotobase.com/s/OHMPH.HTM
http//www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/cc30.
html
http//hoover.archives.gov/