Mr. Cairl – U.S. History 8
1920’s Research Project
The decade of the 1920’s is a very important time in American History. Because
there were so many events that occurred in such a short period of time, we will not be
able to cover them all in class. For this unit, you will choose a topic from the list below
that interests you and research it on your own. You will be given class time to perform
research and guide your own learning. The topics are very diverse and should have
something for everyone. If you are interested in researching a topic of the 1920’s that is
not listed below, see me and we can arrange it.
1. Red Scare: The Sacco and Vanzetti Case
What is this new threat called Communism, and why are people so afraid of it?
2. Automobile I: The Life and Times of Henry Ford
Look at Ford, the innovator, and discuss what impact he himself had on society.
3. Automobile II: The new world of Automobility
How did the automobile change society?
4. The Mass Media I: Radio
Describe the new mass culture created by the radio.
5. The Mass Media II: The birth of movies and movie stars.
Detail the impact of this new phenomenon.
6. Changing roles of Women
Describe the styles and lifestyles of the Flapper as well as the women's struggle for
equality.
7. Evolution and the Scopes Trial
Describe the rise of religious fundamentalism and the clash between religion
and science.
8. Fighting Racism
Discuss the importance of the NAACP, the UNIA, Marcus Garvey, and/or Black
Nationalism.
9. Jazz Age I
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
The origins and nature of jazz and its various styles should be examined.
Jazz Age II (can be duplicated)
Discuss the importance of the musician’s work. Highlight one specific musician or piece.
Painters of the Harlem Renaissance (can be duplicated)
Examine the contributions of artists to the Harlem Renaissance. Highlight one specific
artist or piece.
Poets of the Harlem Renaissance (can be duplicated)
Examine the contributions of literature to the Harlem Renaissance. Highlight one specific
author, poet or piece.
Heroes of American Aviation (two separate topics)
Discuss the importance of either Charles Lindbergh or Amelia Earhart to American culture
by describing their life and times.
American Sports (can be duplicated)
Discuss America’s love affair with baseball and Babe Ruth, or The Black Sox Scandal or
any other 1920’s popular sport.
15. Organized Crime
Examine the crime bosses in Chicago and detail Al Capone’s life and legacy.
16. Racism and Nativism in the 20s
Describe the impact that the Ku Klux Klan had on 1920’s society.
17. Immigration Restriction
Explain the philosophy behind the Comprehensive Immigration Law of 1924 and the
quotas it established.
Ways to present your information:
Video:
Create a clever video that showcases your research. The video can contain a recreation or just be a
documentary with images and primary sources.
News Broadcast:
Written Report:
Write a report of at least three pages in length citing at least three (non-internet & internet) sources. The
report must focus on the chosen topic and explore it in some detail.
Newspaper:
Make a newspaper that has a number of articles about the various aspects of your topic. Include pictures,
headlines, advertisements and other elements one would expect to see in a newspaper. The paper must
have four complete pages containing at least four different articles and two advertisements.
Timeline:
Create a timeline that covers at least ten important events and or people relating to your topic. For each
event, either on the timeline itself or on a separate sheet of paper, you must tell me what the event was
and why it was important to your overall topic. You must include at least three (3) pictures, photos, charts
or graphs or any combination. Your timeline must cover the time period between 1920 and 1930. The
timeline can be put on a poster board or PPT and the pictures, photos, charts or graphs must be of a
format that they can easily be seen.
Poetry/Literature Poster:
On a poster, display a sample of writing from a 1920’s author or poet. Provide a brief interpretation or
analysis of the particular work you chose. The analysis must contain a brief biography of the author, it
must explain what you think the author is trying to say in the piece, and it must describe why the work is
typical of the 1920’s. You must provide at least two (2) pictures, photos, charts or graphs or any
combination, to illustrate some important aspect of 1920’s literature.
Event Poster:
Using a poster, display information about a major event that deals with your topic. You will need some
graphic representation of the event as a centerpiece to your poster. Around your graphic should be a brief
explanation of what the event was, an analysis of the event and an explanation of why the event was
important to the 1920’s, more specifically, to your topic. The poster needs to be able to stand alone.
Someone looking at it does not need to have any prior knowledge about the 1920’s to understand the
significance of your event.