APUSH APUSH Period 7 1890 1945 The Roaring Twenties Consumerism Jazz Age Harlem Renaissance Scopes Trial

Why This Matters

The Roaring Twenties, spanning from 1920 to 1929, was a pivotal period in American history marked by a surge in consumerism, the rise of jazz music, and the Harlem Renaissance. This era's significance lies in its representation of the American Identity theme, where the country's values, culture, and politics underwent a profound shift. The Roaring Twenties embodied the ideals of modernity, freedom, and individualism, which would later contribute to the Great Depression and the rise of totalitarianism in the 1930s.

Key Events & People

• The 19th Amendment (1920): granted women the right to vote, marking a significant milestone in the women's suffrage movement.
• Jazz Age (1920s): a cultural phenomenon characterized by the rise of jazz music, flappers, and a more liberated social atmosphere.
• Harlem Renaissance (1920s-1930s): a literary and artistic movement that celebrated African American culture and identity.
• Scopes Trial (1925): a highly publicized trial in which John Scopes was accused of teaching evolution in a Tennessee school, sparking a national debate on science and religion.
• Charles Lindbergh (1927): made history by becoming the first person to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Harlem Riot (1929): a violent clash between African American and white communities in Harlem, highlighting racial tensions and social inequality.
• Herbert Hoover (1929-1933): the 31st President of the United States, who struggled to address the economic crisis of the Great Depression.
• F. Scott Fitzgerald (author): wrote The Great Gatsby, a classic novel that captured the essence of the Roaring Twenties.
• Langston Hughes (poet): a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, known for his powerful and expressive poetry.
• William Jennings Bryan (lawyer): defended the state of Tennessee in the Scopes Trial, arguing against the teaching of evolution.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rise of consumer culture and mass production in the 1920s led to increased economic growth and prosperity.
• Effect: This growth created a sense of optimism and confidence among Americans, contributing to the Jazz Age and the Harlem Renaissance.

• Long-term consequence: The unsustainable economic growth of the 1920s ultimately led to the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression.

• Cause: The Scopes Trial highlighted the tension between science and religion in American society.

• Effect: The trial sparked a national debate on the role of science in education and the limits of government intervention in personal affairs.

• Long-term consequence: The Scopes Trial contributed to the growing divide between fundamentalist Christians and the scientific community, shaping American politics and culture.

• Cause: The Harlem Riot was a symptom of deeper racial tensions and social inequality in American society.

• Effect: The riot highlighted the need for greater understanding and cooperation between African American and white communities.
• Long-term consequence: The Harlem Riot contributed to the growing Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Consumer culture*: a society that prioritizes the purchase and consumption of goods and services.
  • Example: The rise of department stores like Macy's and Sears in the 1920s exemplified the growth of consumer culture.
• *Jazz Age*: a cultural phenomenon characterized by the rise of jazz music, flappers, and a more liberated social atmosphere.
  • Example: Louis Armstrong's music embodied the spirit of the Jazz Age, with its blend of African American and European influences.
• *Harlem Renaissance*: a literary and artistic movement that celebrated African American culture and identity.
  • Example: Langston Hughes's poetry captured the essence of the Harlem Renaissance, with its powerful and expressive portrayal of African American life.
• *Scopes Trial*: a highly publicized trial in which John Scopes was accused of teaching evolution in a Tennessee school.
  • Example: The Scopes Trial highlighted the tension between science and religion in American society, with William Jennings Bryan arguing against the teaching of evolution.
• *Flapper*: a young woman who rejected traditional social norms and values, embracing a more liberated and independent lifestyle.
  • Example: The flapper culture of the 1920s was exemplified by women like Clara Bow and Louise Brooks, who embodied the spirit of modernity and freedom.
• *Mass production*: the production of goods on a large scale using assembly lines and other industrial techniques.
  • Example: The introduction of the assembly line by Henry Ford in the 1920s revolutionized the production of automobiles, making them more affordable and accessible to the masses.
• *Prohibition*: a law that banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors in the United States.
  • Example: The Prohibition era of the 1920s was marked by widespread bootlegging and organized crime, as seen in the rise of figures like Al Capone.
• *Racial tensions*: the conflict and hostility between different racial groups, often resulting in violence and social unrest.
  • Example: The Harlem Riot of 1929 highlighted the deep-seated racial tensions between African American and white communities in Harlem.
• *Stock market crash*: a sudden and significant decline in the value of stocks and securities, often leading to economic downturns and recessions.
  • Example: The stock market crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression, with widespread unemployment and economic hardship.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Harlem Renaissance was a brief cultural movement that occurred in the 1920s.
• Correction: The Harlem Renaissance was a longer-term movement that spanned the 1920s to the 1940s, with a peak in the 1920s and 1930s.

• Memory trick: Think of the Harlem Renaissance as a "Renaissance" that lasted for two decades, with a focus on African American culture and identity.

• What students often get wrong: The Scopes Trial was a trial in which John Scopes was accused of teaching evolution in a school in the 1950s.

• Correction: The Scopes Trial occurred in 1925, with John Scopes being accused of teaching evolution in a school in Tennessee.

• Memory trick: Remember the Scopes Trial as a trial that took place in the 1920s, with William Jennings Bryan arguing against the teaching of evolution.

• What students often get wrong: The Harlem Riot was a peaceful protest that took place in Harlem in the 1920s.

• Correction: The Harlem Riot was a violent clash between African American and white communities in Harlem in 1929.
• Memory trick: Think of the Harlem Riot as a violent event that highlighted the deep-seated racial tensions between African American and white communities.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of consumer culture in shaping American society during the 1920s. How did the rise of consumer culture contribute to the growth of the middle class and the decline of traditional social norms?
  • Evidence: The growth of department stores like Macy's and Sears, the rise of mass production and advertising, the emergence of the flapper culture.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Scopes Trial on American society. How did the trial reflect the tension between science and religion in American culture?
  • Evidence: The trial itself, the arguments of William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow, the reaction of the public and the media.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the significance of the Harlem Renaissance in American cultural history. How did the movement reflect the experiences and aspirations of African Americans during the 1920s and 1930s?
  • Evidence: The poetry and literature of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, the visual art of Aaron Douglas and Jacob Lawrence, the music of Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

Quick Self‑Check

1. What was the main cause of the stock market crash of 1929?
   • Correct answer: Overproduction and underconsumption of goods, leading to a surplus of inventory and a decline in stock prices.
   • Explanation: The Roaring Twenties saw a surge in consumer spending and production, but many Americans were unable to afford the goods being produced, leading to a surplus of inventory and a decline in stock prices.
2. Who was the defendant in the Scopes Trial?
   • Correct answer: John Scopes.
   • Explanation: John Scopes was a high school biology teacher who was accused of teaching evolution in a Tennessee school, leading to the highly publicized Scopes Trial.
3. What was the name of the law that banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors in the United States?
   • Correct answer: Prohibition.
   • Explanation: Prohibition was a law that was enacted in 1919 and remained in effect until 1933, leading to widespread bootlegging and organized crime.

Last‑Minute Cram Sheet

• The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote.
• The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s to the 1940s, with a focus on African American culture and identity.
• The Scopes Trial took place in 1925, with John Scopes being accused of teaching evolution in a Tennessee school.
• The stock market crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
• The Harlem Riot of 1929 was a violent clash between African American and white communities in Harlem.
• The Roaring Twenties saw a surge in consumer spending and production, but many Americans were unable to afford the goods being produced, leading to a surplus of inventory and a decline in stock prices.
• The Harlem Renaissance was characterized by the emergence of African American artists and writers, including Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington.
• The Scopes Trial highlighted the tension between science and religion in American culture, with William Jennings Bryan arguing against the teaching of evolution.
• The Harlem Riot of 1929 highlighted the deep-seated racial tensions between African American and white communities in Harlem.
• The Roaring Twenties saw a rise in organized crime, with figures like Al Capone becoming notorious for their bootlegging and gangster activities.
• ⚠️ The "Gilded Age" was named by Mark Twain – it means glittering on the outside, corrupt inside.