6.2 Economic and social changes during the 1920s

The 1920s brought sweeping changes to American society. From Prohibition to women's suffrage, the decade saw major shifts in social norms and political power. The Great Migration reshaped cities, while racial tensions simmered beneath the surface.

Economic upheaval hit agriculture hard, forcing farmers to adapt. Meanwhile, cultural innovations like jazz music emerged, capturing the era's vibrant spirit. These developments set the stage for profound transformations in American life during the interwar years.

Social Movements and Changes

Prohibition and Women's Suffrage

Top images from around the web for Prohibition and Women's Suffrage

• 

  File:National Women's Suffrage Association.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Suffragette - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Women's suffrage in the United States - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:National Women's Suffrage Association.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Suffragette - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Prohibition and Women's Suffrage

• 

  File:National Women's Suffrage Association.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Suffragette - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Women's suffrage in the United States - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:National Women's Suffrage Association.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Suffragette - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Prohibition (18th Amendment) banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the United States led to the rise of speakeasies, bootlegging, and organized crime
• Women's Suffrage (19th Amendment) granted women the right to vote in 1920 after decades of activism by suffragettes such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
• Both Prohibition and Women's Suffrage were significant social and political movements that aimed to address perceived societal problems (alcohol abuse and gender inequality) through constitutional amendments
• The passage of these amendments demonstrated the growing influence of progressive ideals and the ability of organized movements to effect change in American society

Great Migration and Urbanization

• The Great Migration saw millions of African Americans move from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial discrimination and violence
• This mass movement led to the growth of African American communities in cities like Chicago, New York, and Detroit (Harlem Renaissance) and contributed to the development of new cultural expressions such as jazz and blues
• Urbanization more broadly was a major trend in the 1920s as people were drawn to cities by the promise of industrial jobs, entertainment, and modern amenities
• The rapid growth of cities led to challenges such as overcrowding, poor living conditions, and strain on infrastructure but also fostered new forms of social interaction and cultural innovation

Racial Tensions and the Ku Klux Klan

• The resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s was fueled by nativism, anti-Catholicism, and racism as the group targeted African Americans, immigrants, and other minority groups
• The KKK reached the height of its influence during this period with millions of members across the country and significant political power in some states (Indiana)
• Racial tensions were further heightened by events like the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 in which a white mob attacked the affluent African American community of Greenwood, destroying homes and businesses and killing hundreds
• The Scottsboro Boys trial in 1931, in which nine African American teenagers were falsely accused of raping two white women, also highlighted the racial injustice and discrimination faced by African Americans in the legal system

Agricultural Challenges and Adaptations

Boll Weevil Infestation and Diversification

• The Boll Weevil infestation devastated cotton crops in the South during the early 20th century as the insect fed on and destroyed cotton bolls leading to significant economic losses for farmers
• Farmers were forced to adapt by diversifying their crops and shifting to alternative cash crops such as peanuts, soybeans, and tobacco
• Agricultural diversification helped to reduce the South's dependence on cotton and led to the development of new agricultural industries and processing facilities (peanut oil, tobacco products)
• The Boll Weevil infestation also accelerated the mechanization of agriculture as farmers sought ways to increase efficiency and reduce labor costs in response to the crisis

Cultural Developments

The Jazz Age

• The 1920s were known as the "Jazz Age" due to the popularity and influence of jazz music which originated in African American communities in New Orleans and spread to cities across the country
• Jazz was characterized by its improvisational style, syncopated rhythms, and use of brass and woodwind instruments (trumpet, saxophone) and was played in speakeasies, dance halls, and on the radio
• Notable jazz musicians of the era included Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith who helped to popularize the genre and influence other forms of music such as swing and big band
• The Jazz Age also saw the rise of new dances such as the Charleston and the Lindy Hop which were associated with the freewheeling, rebellious spirit of the time and challenged traditional social norms around music and dance