1920s Character Simulation
Purpose: To demonstrate the conflicts between the modern and traditional during the 1920s.
We will conduct a 1920s simulation in class, and you will assume the role of one of the historical figures listed below. During
the simulation, you will explore multiple perspectives on the issues of the 1920s by interviewing each other (in character) about
your conflicting or supporting beliefs. On the day of the simulation, you should come your poster, in costume (extra credit),
and bring food or drink to share.
Cast of Characters
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Herbert Hoover—president
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Calvin Coolidge—president
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A. Philip Randolph—civil rights
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Marcus Garvey—civil rights
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A. Mitchell Palmer-attorney general
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Margaret Sanger—women’s rights/birth
control
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Georgia O’Keeffe—artist
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Bartolomeo Vanzetti—political dissident
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William Jennings Bryan-Scopes trial
attorney
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Clarence Darrow— Scopes trial attorney
Assignments
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Aimee Semple McPherson-preacher from
California
Billy Sunday—baseball player/preacher
Eliot Ness—prohibition agent
Langston Hughes— writer
Zora Neale Hurston—writer
Margaret Mead—anthropologist
Henry Ford—businessman
Harry Houdini—performance artist
Sinclair Lewis—writer
F. Scott Fitzgerald—writer
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Zelda Fitzgerald—flapper/writer
Louis Armstrong—jazz musician
Duke Ellington—jazz musician
Bessie Smith—jazz singer
Babe Ruth—baseball player
Helen Wills Moody—tennis player
Clara Bow—flapper/actress
Charles Lindbergh—aviator
Dorothy Parker—writer/satirist
Amelia Earhart—aviator
Ernest Hemingway—writer
DUE: Wednesday, Nov. 12
Poster (25 project points)
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Create a small poster (8 ½ x 11 inches or smaller) that includes the following:
o Your historical figure’s name
o A good-quality image of your person
o 1-2 paragraphs explaining why your person was significant to the 1920s
o An interesting quote by your person
o Other relevant symbols or images
o Be creative but also clear and neat in your work.
o On the back: list your bibliographic sources in correct MLA format (use easybib)
Steps
1. Conduct research in class (in the computer lab) and outside of class on your historical figure. You must have at
least one page of notes written or typed in your own words. List at least 2 sources for this information.
2. Type 1-2 paragraphs about your historical figure in your own words. You do not need to include all biographical
information, but just the information that is relevant to the 1920s. Answer these questions: why was this person
was significant in the 1920s? What important ideas, issues, or trends were they associated with during that era and
why? Put this paragraph(s) on your poster.
3. On the day of the simulation, be prepared with the following:
 Poster with the above information about your historical figure.
 Wear a costume on the day of simulation (extra credit).
 Bring food or drink (or help set up and clean up) on the day of the simulation.