The New Era: The Roaring Twenties

I. Introduction

• Warren G. Harding's Presidency: Took office in March 1921, advocating for "normalcy" after WWI.
• Post-WWI Instability: Nation faced racial violence, Red Scare, economic downturn, and labor strikes.
• Cultural Shifts: The 1920s were marked by mass production, new technologies, loosening social norms, and cultural conflicts.
• Contrast in Society: While some retreated to old traditions, others fought for equal rights, marking a decade of conflict.

II. Republican White House, 1921-1933

• Harding's Policies: Focused on stability, high tariffs, and dismantling wartime controls; administration known for corruption (e.g., Teapot Dome scandal).
• Calvin Coolidge's Presidency: Continued Harding's policies, supported business, and saw low taxes; known for "active inactivity."
• Political Changes: Women's activism post-19th Amendment; rise of National Woman's Party advocating for ERA.
• 1928 Election: Herbert Hoover defeated Al Smith, marking Protestant vs. Catholic political tensions.

III. Culture of Consumption

• Consumerism Boom: Rise in advertisements, department stores, and credit systems fueled consumer culture.
• Women's Influence: Targeted as primary consumers, representing 90% of household expenditures.
• Automobile Industry: Ford's Model-T popularized credit buying, increasing car ownership.

IV. Culture of Escape

• Popular Culture: Growth of automobiles, movies, and jazz reshaped American culture.
• Entertainment: Rise of Hollywood, radio, and jazz music; cultural icons like Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh provided escapism.

V. The New Woman

• Flapper Image: Young women challenging traditional norms with new fashion and behaviors.
• Workforce Changes: More women in work but often limited to clerical roles; rise in women's independence.
• Societal Contradictions: New freedoms vs. ongoing domestic expectations; increased premarital activity.

VI. The New Negro

• Harlem Renaissance: Cultural movement highlighting African American achievements in arts and literature.
• Great Migration: Increased African American population in northern cities, leading to a richer cultural landscape.
• Marcus Garvey and UNIA: Promoted Black nationalism and economic independence.

VII. Culture War

• Nativism and Immigration Restrictions: National Origins Act limited immigration, reflecting nativist sentiments.
• Sacco and Vanzetti: Trial exemplified fear of foreign radicals.

VIII. Fundamentalist Christianity

• Debate on Modernism vs. Fundamentalism: Conflict over religious interpretations, crystallized in the Scopes Trial (1925).
• Scopes Trial: Highlighted tensions between religious beliefs and scientific theories.

IX. Rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

• Expansion and Influence: The KKK grew significantly, targeting multiple groups; had political influence in many areas.
• Violence and Vigilantism: Engaged in acts of violence; declined by the end of the 1920s.

X. Conclusion

• Economic and Social Tensions: Despite prosperity, the decade was fraught with economic risks and inequality.
• Onset of the Great Depression: The 1920s' cultural and economic facade crumbled as the Great Depression approached.

References and Further Reading

• Includes links to primary sources and reference materials for further exploration of the topics discussed.