The Roaring Twenties Notes
1920-1929: The economic BOOM following World War I



After World War I, people were tired of being so serious. People wanted to “let their hair down” and get
back to enjoying life.
People became more carefree and adventurous.
Women held jobs outside the home and went to college.
Flappers: carefree young women with short hair, heavy makeup, and short skirts.
Prohibition: The 18th amendment made it illegal to manufacture, transport, and sell alcohol.

Speakeasies: illegal establishments created as place for people to drink alcoholic beverages.
Gangsters and Bootleggers
 Bootleggers made and smuggled alcohol illegally and promoted organized crime.
 Prohibition repealed by the 21st Amendment
Consumer Society




Consumer = a person who buys and uses goods and services
Consumer goods – products made for personal use
When WWI ended many factories began making labor saving products
Labor saving products – products that save time for work and increase leisure activities
1. Vacuum
2. Washing Machine
3. Electric Oven



These products were made possible by electricity and electric lighting
People couldn’t buy everything at once so they used credit to pay for things.
This allowed them to pay a certain amount and take it home then pay monthly until it was paid for.
What led to a boom in the economy in the 1920s?
1. Consumer Goods
2. Buying with Credit
3. Advertising
Movies




Because of increase leisure time, people were able to enjoy movies
Most movies were silent (no sound)
Steamboat Willie by Walt Disney was the first animated movie to include sound
Charlie Chaplin was a big star in silent films
Sports
 Because of increased leisure time, people were also able to enjoy sports
 Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees were a very famous baseball team
 Boxing became very popular with boxers like Jack Dempsey
The Great Migration
• Jobs for African Americans in the South were scarce and low paying
• African Americans faced discrimination and violence in the South
• During World War I, African Americans moved to northern cities in search of jobs
• African Americans also faced discrimination and violence in the North and West