CULTURAL
DEVELOPMENTS AND
INDIVIDUAL
CONTRIBUTIONS
DURING THE 1920S
SS5H4 The student will describe U.S. involvement in World War I and post- World War I America.
b. Describe the cultural developments and individual contributions in the 1920s of the Jazz Age (Louis
Armstrong), the Harlem Renaissance (Langston Hughes), baseball (Babe Ruth), the automobile (Henry
Ford), and the airplane (Charles Lindbergh).
The Jazz Age

The first years of the 1920s were called the
Jazz Age.

Jazz: a new form of music that made its way
from New Orleans to northern cities in the
early 1900s.
Louis Armstrong

Born and raised in New Orleans

He was born into poverty and was raised by his
mother.

His formal education, or schooling, was neglected
so he could help support his family.

Louis was placed in a home for teens in 1912 where
he learned to play several instruments and sing in a
band.
Louis Armstrong - Jazz Age

His favorite instrument was the cornet.

The cornet is a brass instrument similar to
a trumpet.

Louis’ natural ability and talent was envied by
many; but, he could not afford his own cornet.

He joined a Jazz band and was noticed by many
popular musicians.

Louis rose from poverty to become a legend in
jazz.
Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance was an important
movement among the African American
community.

This was a time when African American writers,
artists, and musicians expressed their talents.

It was named for Harlem, New York, the
community where it began.
Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was a poet whose
popularity grew during the 1920s and 1930s.
He wrote “Jazz Poetry.”

Jazz poetry is poetry that
"demonstrates jazz like rhythm or
the feel of improvisation.”
Improvisation – not following a script or set pattern;
“playing it by ear”
Langston Hughes –
Harlem Renaissance

Poets like Langston Hughes incorporated the
rhythms and repetitive phrases of blues and jazz
music into their writing.

Many of Hughes' poems sounded similar to the
popular jazz and blues songs of the period.

He was one of the most famous writers during the
Harlem Renaissance.
Henry Ford
Moving Assembly Line = Mass Production




Henry Ford revolutionized the automobile
He developed the first moving assembly
which led to mass production of the Model T.
industry.
line
Ford’s assembly line increased production by moving the
parts along the line to each worker. The workers did not
have to move positions.
The workers stayed at their location and specialized in
only one part of the automobile. This decreased the
amount of time spent on each part and on each car.
Henry Ford:
Assembly Line = Mass Production= Lower Prices




This style assembly line, decreased production time and
increased the number of automobiles produced each
day.
Production was quicker and easier.
If productivity increased because of more efficient
methods, then the production costs decreased.
If cars cost less to make, then they could be sold for
less.
Henry Ford:
Mass Production = Lower Prices

The first automobile to be mass produced, was the Ford Model T.
(It was not the first car invented!)

Mass production began in 1917.

More Americans could afford to buy a car
because the prices of cars, decreased.

Ford also paid his employees very reasonable
salaries which allowed them to save enough
money to purchase a car.
STOP & THINK: Do you think Henry Ford was a smart business man when he paid his
employees higher salaries? Why or Why not?
Domino Effect: Example…

If more employees purchased cars, then Ford’s company made more money or
profit. If the company made more money, then they could pay their employees
even more. If the employees made more money, they could then spend more
money in the markets and this would boost the economy!
Babe Ruth


Babe Ruth was a very famous baseball player who
shocked the nation with his “power” hitting!
He was known by many names. His legal name was,
George Herman Ruth, Jr.
 Several
Nicknames Include:
1. The Sultan of Swat
2. The Great Bambino
3. The King of Crash
4. The Babe
5. The Colossus of Clout
Babe Ruth





Babe Ruth’s first baseball team was, the
Boston Red Sox.
Babe Ruth was left handed. He pitched and played
outfield.
In 1918, the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the New
York Yankees because he demanded a higher
salary.
The Red Sox’s owner did not want to pay or deal
with Ruth anymore, so he traded Ruth.
Babe Ruth held the homerun record, with 714
homeruns, until Hank Aaron broke Ruth’s record.
Charles Lindbergh




Charles Lindbergh was the first pilot to make a solo
flight from New York to Paris, France.
Charles was working as a mail pilot when he decided
to make the dangerous flight.
On May 20, 1927 Lindbergh took flight in his plane
called, “The Spirit of St. Louis.”
Lindbergh arrived in Paris, France on
May 21, 1927. His famous flight took him
less than 34 hours.
Charles Lindbergh



Lindbergh used only a magnetic compass, an
airspeed navigator, and luck to find his way.
Lindbergh’s flight was being funded, or paid for, by
several businesses from St. Louis. They were paying to
build the plane Lindbergh designed.
If Charles Lindbergh, successfully made the flight he
would win $25,000. Lindbergh did NOT stop at all!