1/5/15
Welcome back my people……..unfortunately, we will have to “dive into the new
container of ice cream” (start a new unit) without me present as parental, medical
duties call. However, you are in the hands of an outstanding guest teacher, so rock
and roll!
1920’s Unit- Essential Questions’s…..Review…
 How/why/with what effect were the 1920’s “roaring”?
 How/why/with what effect did the 1920’s feature conflict between traditional
and modern America?
Brainstorm why these below represented conflicts present in the 20’s..

City life vs. Agrarian life-

Religion vs. Science-

Freedom vs. Regulation-
Brainstorm…….Why might the 20’s be looked back on as “roaring”??
Prohibition……..epitomized conflict present within America during the 1920’s and
it is just a gosh darn interesting phenomena to investigate, ponder!
Prohibition, 1920-1933 = An attempt by the federal government to prohibit citizens from
engaging in behavior/activities that are harmful to them. Despite the fact that there may
have been good reasons to enact this law, it didn’t work………Ponderings related to
broader issues, today. KEEP IN MIND, PROHIBITION IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF
THE CONSTITUTION BEING AMENDED TO TAKE AWAY INDIVIDUAL
RIGHTS/LIBERTIES!
Background of Prohibition from pbs.org read, discuss, understand…
To add to, emphasize something briefly mentioned in the handout…the tax, tax income
implications of Prohibition were a HUGE factor in when/why it came into effect and
when/why the amendment was repealed, ending Prohibition!
Write down your answers as an individual to the following:
1) Is the government’s role, to modify and “improve” citizens’ behavior and
choices?
2) Guess as to why Prohibition didn’t this work… How could it have worked better?
3) What are other examples today (think of 5) of the government attempting to help
citizens make personal decisions?
4) Are these examples “working” or not?
5) How/why are your examples different, similar to prohibition in the 1920’s?
If you are “done” with 1-5 above…..which means you have thoughtfully and insightfully
answered the above questions in writing and are ready to discuss them Tuesday, you may
then get started on the responses below as they are a part of this unit as well.
Utilize your book to write down the following…in other words, “do”
1) Chapter 12, Section 1- “nativism, isolationism, communism” (pages 412413)…what do these terms mean, why prevalent in the 1920’s?
2) Read Chapter 12, Section 2 to understand the Ford-McCumber tariff
and the Teapot Dome Scandal.
3) Read Chapter 12, Section 3 to understand how and why America’s economy
boomed in the 20’s but also why it was a false, superficial prosperity.
History of US—The Booming, “roaring” of American society.. (handout below given to
students 1/6/15)
(The following given to students in “half sheet” form………)
Mr. Johnson / U.S. History
Name___________________________
America – The Story of Us - “Boom”
Directions: Provide information that explains the importance and/or significance of
each of the following.
1.
“Black Gold”:
2.
Oil Drilling:
3.
“Petroleum Age”:
Interaction…What would be a long term challenge associated with the overnight oil
boom in the US?
4.
Henry Ford ; Production Line; Model “T”:
Interaction….Predict why Henry Ford was the first industrialist to pay his workers
well, treat them well, etc??
5.
Los Angeles; Water :
6. Chicago, 1919; Political Power
Interaction…to what degree did the “Great Migration” result in all that migrating
African Americans were hoping for?
7. Prohibition:
8.
Bootlegging; “Muscle Cars” :
9. Organized Crime:
10. St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
11. “Ballistic” Forensic:
12. The 21st Amendment:
Agree or disagree……..Prohibition’s failure proves that the
government “can’t legislate morality”..... You agree with that????
In general, to sum it up for now:
1) Why were the 20’s “Roaring”?
2) Why was there a conflict between traditional America and
modern America?
1/8 and 1/9/15 (along with finishing video)
Consumerism discussion and ponderings…
1) Why did consumerism start in the 1920’s?
2) In your opinion, was consumerism in the 1920’s a positive or
negative development?
3) Compare/contrast consumerism then vs. now.
Simulation, discussion, article of buying products on credit,
overproduction-under consumption, and issues with the stock
market that produced a “false boom” economically in the 20’s, that
would ultimately “bust” and lead to the Great Depression
beginning in 1929 and on into the 30’s.
1/8-9-12/15…..Examples, why evidence of “roaring/booming”?
( a review)

Automobiles

Population, suburban booms

Change…….Great Migration, different groups of Americans (African
American/Whites for example) now living and working together. This led to
positive developments (Harlem Renaissance) and negative (race riots).

The explosion of criminal activity in the U.S., in large part due to the illegal
alcohol trade. This led to new advancements in law enforcement.
4) Chapter 13, Section 1…only read “enough” to answer Critical thinking #3 on
page 439
5) Chapter 13, Section 2….read pages 440-441 and understand “flapper” and
“double standard”.
6) Chapter 13, Section 3……..why did pop culture “blow up” in the 1920’s? What
were some examples of pop culture in the 1920’s?
7) Chapter 13, Section 4…simply understand the Harlem Renaissance and why this
was important.
OK, SO THAT’S REALLY IT FOR THE 20’S UNIT AND THE ENTIRE UNIT
IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE AND THIS MATERIAL WILL BE
TESTED ON THURSDAY 1/15/15!