Name:______________________
Period: _____________
1920’s Group Research Project
Directions –
Your groups will be assigned one of the topics
below to research and you will create a museum display with an artifact, as well as
write a mini research paper on your topic.
Topics –
1. Between 1920 and 1929, automobile registration rose from eight million
to twenty-three million. What effects have automobiles had on the lives
of the American people (pollution, gas use, industry, roads and car
accidents)? What contribution did Henry Ford make to the automobile
industry?
2. How did women’s fashion change in the 1920s? Have these styles survived
or ever been revived? How do they reflect the new freedoms many
women were enjoying in the twenties?
3. Due to Prohibition, organized crime rose in the 1920s. Research criminal
activity in the 1920s, concentrating on specific individuals (i.e. Al Capone)
and their impact upon society and government.
4. Discuss the stock market crash of 1929. Why did it happen and what was
its aftermath? How did it lead to the Great Depression?
5. Research the major literary figures of the 1920’s. Discuss their
contributions to American Literature. Some of these writers include F.
Scott Fitzgerald, James Weldon Johnson, Ernest Hemingway, Robert
Frost, and Zora Neal Hurston.
6. When was the KKK started? What were its goals? Major effects on lives
of people in the US ? Is it still around today?
7. What were the music styles of the 1920’s? Who were the major “stars”
of this time? What were the titles of some hit records of the day?
8. Research the case of Sacco/Vanzetti. How did their case demonstrate
the changes in American attitudes toward immigration? How did it
demonstrate the fear of Communism and anarchy present in America at
the time?
9. Investigate the advent of cinema that was popular at the time. What
were the important aspects? Who were the famous actors of the time
and famous movies?
10. Research the introduction of planes into society. Who were two of the
most famous pilots and how did they revolutionize the transportation
industry?
11. The 18th amendment was passed in the 1920s outlawing alcohol. Research
the reasons for the amendment and the impact it had on society.
12. Research the Harlem Renaissance. Who were the major artists, writers,
musicians and poets of the time period? How did the Harlem Renaissance
impact African American culture in the 1920s?
13. Research the Red Scare of the 1920s. Be sure to include information
concerning its origins and its impact upon American politics and society in
the 1920s.
14. Investigate the major sports figures of the 1920s. What allowed these
individuals to become so popular? How did they change the face of sports
forever?
15. Research the impact of the radio on the 1920s culture/society.
16. During the 1920s, several scandals rocked the nation. Research the
Teapot Dome Scandal during Harding’s administration. How did this scandal
reflect on Harding and his administration?
17. Immigration was limited during the 1920s. Explore the reasons behind
this and its impact on society.
18. Many new inventions and products emerged in the 1920s. Research
these new products and their impact on daily life and explain how America
became a consumer society.
19. Research the Scopes Trial of 1925. What was the subject being
debated? How did this trial demonstrate the changing ideals in American
society in the 1920s?
20. Research one of the three Republican presidents of the 1920s. What
important policies occurred during their administration? Who do their
policies benefit the most and how will this impact America later?
Requirements –
 Display board for the museum gallery walk with concise information as
well as appropriate clip art/photos and a properly formatted Works Cited
page.
 An artifact that accompanies the display board and directly relates to
the topic. The artifact needs to be unique, creative, and neatly
portrayed. You may also use technology to create an artifact (ie movie,
pictures, etc).
 Research paper on your topic that answers the question and provides
additional information about your topic relating it to current events and
political, social and economic impacts during the 20s and beyond. 3-5
pages. Times New Roman with sources in MLA format.
 Due Date – March 26, 2015
Grading Rubric for 1920s Group Research Project
4
3
2
1
Organization
Information is very
organized with wellconstructed
paragraphs and
subheadings.
Information is
organized with wellconstructed
paragraphs.
Information is
organized, but
paragraphs are not
well-constructed.
The information
appears to be
disorganized. 8)
Quality of
Information
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. It includes
several supporting
details and/or
examples.
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. It provides 1-2
supporting details
and/or examples.
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. No details
and/or examples are
given.
Information has little
or nothing to do with
the main topic.
Artifact
The artifact directly
relates to the topic
and displays a key
aspect of the time
period and topic
presented. It is
unique, neat and
creative.
The artifact directly
relates to the topic
and displays a key
aspect of the time
period and topic
presented. It is
unique, neat and
creative.
The artifact
somewhat relates to
the topic presented.
It is neat and
creative.
The artifact does not
relate to the topic
presented.
Sources
All sources
(information and
graphics) are
accurately
documented in MLA
format.
Most sources
(information and
graphics) are
accurately
documented, but a
few are not in MLA
format.
Some sources
(information and
graphics) are
accurately
documented, but
many are not in MLA
format.
Few sources are
accurately
documented.
Mechanics
No grammatical,
spelling or
punctuation errors.
Almost grammatical,
spelling or
punctuation errors
Several grammatical,
spelling, or
punctuation errors.
Many grammatical,
spelling, or
punctuation errors.
CATEGORY
Points
Total Points Earned _________ out of 20.