TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD THE 1920s IN AMERICA BE REMEMBERED AS
GOOD TIMES OR BAD TIMES?
INTRODUCTION
After World War I and the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, America
became isolationist….
During the 1920s the USA became the richest and most powerful country in the world…
However, in 1929 disaster struck…
The 1920s have been given many nicknames…
To some people the 1920s in America were the best of times, to others it was a period when
things were wrong. People have such different views about America in the 1920s for a
number of reasons.
1. THE ECONOMIC BOOM (p186-193 blue booklet)
 America turned its energies towards creating an economic boom.
This means…
 Reasons for the economic boom include…
 Examples of the economic boom include…
 To what extent did all Americans benefit from the boom? For
example, who were the winners, and who were the losers?
2. ENTERTAINMENT (p194-195 blue booklet)
 Describe some of the developments in radio, music, sport and cinema.
 To what extent did Americans enjoy these entertainments and see them as
positive?
 Were some Americans concerned by these entertainments, and why?
3. WOMEN (p 196-197 blue booklet)
 The lives of many American women
changed in the 1920s. Describe some of the changes.
 Some people felt these changes were good because…
 Some people felt these changes were bad because...
 Did the lives of all women change?
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4. PROHIBITION AND GANGSTERS (p 206-210 booklet)
 Prohibition means…
 Some people felt prohibition was good policy. Give reasons…
 Some people felt prohibition was wrong and the cause of
trouble. Give examples of reasons and the trouble caused.
5. THE EXPERIENCE OF BLACK AMERICANS (p 201-203 blue booklet)
 Black people had long been part of America’s history since the 17th century. By the
1920s many had suffered from slavery, racism and restrictions to their rights.
 For some black Americans, the 1920s brought improvements and new opportunities…
 For some black Americans there were still many problems…
6. THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS
 Immigrants (p198-200)
 Native American Indians (p 204)
7. THE WALL STREET CRASH AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION (p 211-215)
 What were the causes and events of the crash and depression?
 What were the results?
 Link your description to the question.
CONCLUSION
Answer the question, and give your most important examples to
support your arguments:
To some extent the 1920s in America are remembered as good times. Key reasons,
evidence and examples include…
However, to some extent the 1920s in America are remembered as bad times. Key reasons,
evidence and examples include…
Overall, my judgement is that…
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TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD THE 1920s IN AMERICA BE REMEMBERED AS
GOOD TIMES OR BAD TIMES?
Sort the following information boxes into the paragraphs suggested in the plan.
The motor industry became
Women were still paid less
the biggest industry,
than men, and did not
employing hundreds of
achieve equal political
thousands of workers
power. Only a few women
directly and indirectly.
were elected by 1929.
Organised gangs, for
Many farmers suffered
Younger city women
example the Chicago boss Al hardship during the 1920s
challenged traditional rules
Capone, made about $2
due to falling exports to
of behaviour by openly
billion from the sale of
Europe, Canadian wheat
smoking, drinking, wearing
illegal alcohol.
competition, falling
daring clothes and inventing
population, and
lively dances. They were
overproduction
sometimes called ‘flappers’.
Some conservative rural
Average work hours fell, and Some of the older generation
states felt Hollywood films
wages rose. Many people
saw jazz music and its links
focused too much on ‘It’
used their spare time and
to drink and sex as a
girls and sex. American
money for entertainment.
corrupting influence on
morals were being lost.
young people
Jazz music emerged, popular By the late 1920s about 20
Native Americans were in
with the Black Americans
million people held shares.
poor health, extreme poverty
and young white Americans Some Americans made
and losing their land and
in the cities
money from rising share
culture.
prices.
In 1924 native Americans
The Ku Klux Klan was a
In 1929 the Wall Street
were granted US citizenship white supremacy movement Crash led to people losing
and the vote.
which used violence to
money in shares and
intimidate Black Americans investments, and an
economic depression.
There were tensions and
The Anti-Saloon League and In the north, black
racism. Recent immigrants
Temperance Movement
Americans had a better
such as East Europeans,
believed alcohol was
chance of getting good jobs
Italians and Mexicans were
damaging family life.
and a good education.
looked down upon by more
established Americans.
The Great Depression spread The output of American
In a suburb of Los Angeles
around the world. In politics, industry doubled in the
called Hollywood, a multisome desperate people
1920s. Vast quantities of
billion dollar film industry
turned to extremists who
consumer goods were sold
developed. Hundreds of
promised jobs and hope.
on credit, including cars,
millions of tickets were sold
telephones, radios and
each week, and films
fridges.
exported worldwide.
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Y9 ASSESSMENT TASK: TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD THE 1920s IN AMERICA
BE REMEMBERED AS GOOD TIMES OR BAD TIMES?
Attainment levels (New National Curriculum 2007)
Level 3: Basic
 My essay has a little structure, and rarely explains key words.
 Throughout my essay I have shown basic knowledge and understanding.
 The main sections sometimes offer a view about whether 1920s in America can be viewed as good
times or bad times.
 It may have a conclusion with a brief judgement.
Level 4: Limited
 My essay has a clear structure in places, and occasionally explains key words.
 Throughout my essay I have shown some limited knowledge and understanding.
 The main sections offer a basic range of views about whether the 1920s in America can be viewed as
good times or bad times.
 I have written a conclusion with some judgements and examples, but needs explaining more.
Level 5: Sound
 My essay has a generally clear structure throughout, and explains key words in places.
 Throughout my essay I have shown sound knowledge and understanding.
 Some main sections offer a range of views about whether the 1920s in America can be viewed as good
times or bad times.
 I have written a conclusion by using a few of my own thoughts and judgements. My judgements in the
conclusion are backed up in a basic way with some evidence and examples.
Level 6: Good
 My essay has a clear structure throughout, and usually explains key words.
 Throughout my essay I have often shown detailed knowledge and understanding.
 Most main sections offer a range of views about whether the 1920s in America can be viewed as good
times or bad times.
 I have written a conclusion by using my own thoughts and judgements. My judgements in the
conclusion are backed up with some evidence and examples.
Level 7: Strong
 My essay has a clear structure throughout, and explains key words.
 Throughout my essay I have consistently shown detailed knowledge and understanding.
 The essay offers local, national and international examples.
 Each main section offers a wide range of views about whether the 1920s in America can be viewed as
good times or bad times.
 I have written a strong independent conclusion by using my own thoughts and judgements. My
judgements in the conclusion are substantiated (backed up with evidence and examples).
Level 8: Outstanding to Exceptional
 My essay has a clear structure throughout, and explains key words.
 Throughout my essay I have consistently shown detailed and sustained knowledge and understanding.
 The essay offers local, national and international examples.
 Each main section offers a wide range of views about whether the 1920s in America can be viewed as
good times or bad times.
 I have written an outstanding independent conclusion by using my own thoughts and judgements. I
have identified the most important or significant evidence and explained why it is so important. My
judgements in the conclusion are substantiated (backed up with evidence and examples).
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