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GCSE History 03 — The USA, 1918–41

Public

Topics include Republican Dominance & Isolationism (1920s), The Economic Boom: Causes & Features, The Roaring Twenties: Society, Leisure & Media, Women in the 1920s, Intolerance in the 1920s: Immigration & Red Scare, Race Relations & The KKK, The Monkey Trial: Religion vs Modernism, and Prohibition & Gangsterism.

History EN
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The Roaring Twenties: Society, Leisure & Media

The explosion of mass entertainment, sport, and culture in the 1920s, often referred to as the 'Jazz Age'.

Key points

  • Cinema: Became a weekly habit for 100 million Americans; transition from silent movies to 'talkies' (e.g., The Jazz Singer, 1927).
  • Jazz: African American music (Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington) became mainstream, influencing dance (Charleston) and youth rebellion.
  • Sport: The 'Golden Age of Sport' with celebrities like Babe Ruth (baseball) and Jack Dempsey (boxing).
  • Advertising: Brands used psychology (creating anxiety/desire) and radio to sell consumer goods.

Worked example

Question

Describe two features of the 'Jazz Age'.

Solution

One feature was the popularity of new music styles like jazz, which originated in black communities but became popular in white speakeasies and clubs. Another feature was energetic dance crazes like the Charleston and the Black Bottom, which were seen as rebellious by older generations.

Common pitfalls

  • Thinking cinema was unregulated; the Hays Code was introduced to censor 'immoral' content.
  • Underestimating the influence of Radio; it was the internet of its day, connecting the nation culturally.

Prerequisites

  • Urbanisation
  • Disposable income
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