🐊Florida History Unit 9 – The Roaring 20s and Great Depression

Key Events and Timeline

• World War I ended in 1918 led to a period of economic prosperity and cultural change in the United States
• The 18th Amendment was ratified in 1919 prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition)
• The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920 granted women the right to vote (women's suffrage)
• The "Roaring Twenties" began in 1920 characterized by economic growth, consumerism, and cultural shifts
  • The era was also known as the "Jazz Age" due to the popularity of jazz music and dance
• The Florida Land Boom began in the early 1920s
  • Investors and speculators flocked to Florida to purchase real estate
  • The boom led to rapid development and population growth in cities like Miami and Tampa
• The Great Miami Hurricane struck in 1926 caused widespread damage and slowed the Florida Land Boom
• The stock market crash occurred on October 29, 1929 (Black Tuesday) marked the beginning of the Great Depression
• The Great Depression lasted from 1929 to 1939 characterized by widespread unemployment, poverty, and economic hardship

Economic Boom and Bust

• The post-World War I period saw a significant economic expansion in the United States driven by increased consumer spending and technological advancements
• The rise of mass production techniques allowed for the manufacture of affordable consumer goods (automobiles, household appliances)
  • This led to the growth of a consumer culture and increased spending on luxury items
• The Florida Land Boom attracted investors and speculators seeking to profit from the state's growing popularity as a tourist destination
  • Real estate prices soared as demand for land increased, leading to rampant speculation and over-development
• The stock market experienced a period of rapid growth in the 1920s fueled by speculation and easy credit
  • Many investors borrowed money to purchase stocks, expecting to make quick profits
• The stock market crash of 1929 led to a severe economic downturn as stock prices plummeted and investors lost billions of dollars
• The Great Depression resulted in widespread unemployment as businesses failed and banks collapsed
  • By 1933, the unemployment rate in the United States had risen to 25%
• The economic crisis led to a sharp decline in consumer spending and a contraction of the money supply exacerbating the depression

Social and Cultural Changes

• The 1920s saw significant changes in social norms and cultural attitudes as young people embraced new forms of entertainment and self-expression
• The rise of the "flapper" represented a new ideal of femininity characterized by short hair, shorter skirts, and a more liberated attitude
  • Women increasingly entered the workforce and challenged traditional gender roles
• The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that celebrated African American art, literature, and music
  • The movement sought to challenge stereotypes and assert the value of African American culture
• The popularity of jazz music and dance halls reflected a loosening of social mores and a desire for self-expression
  • Jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington gained national prominence
• The rise of radio and the film industry contributed to the spread of popular culture and the creation of a national media landscape
• Prohibition led to the growth of speakeasies and organized crime as people sought to circumvent the ban on alcohol
  • The era saw the rise of notorious gangsters like Al Capone who profited from the illegal liquor trade
• The Scopes "Monkey" Trial in 1925 highlighted the tension between traditional religious beliefs and modern scientific theories (evolution)

Political Landscape

• The 1920s were characterized by a conservative political climate and a backlash against the progressive reforms of the previous decade
• The Republican Party dominated national politics with the presidencies of Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover
  • The GOP favored a hands-off approach to the economy and limited government intervention
• The Democratic Party was divided between its conservative and progressive wings
  • The party struggled to articulate a clear vision and failed to win the presidency during the decade
• The 1924 presidential election saw the rise of the Progressive Party led by Robert La Follette which advocated for liberal reforms and challenged the two-party system
• The Ku Klux Klan experienced a resurgence in the 1920s fueled by nativism, racism, and anti-Catholicism
  • The Klan wielded significant political influence in some states and local communities
• The Teapot Dome Scandal in 1922 involved the leasing of federal oil reserves to private companies in exchange for bribes highlighting corruption in the Harding administration
• The onset of the Great Depression led to a shift in political attitudes as many Americans called for greater government intervention to address the economic crisis
  • The election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 marked a significant shift towards liberal policies and the expansion of the federal government's role in the economy (New Deal)

Florida's Unique Experience

• Florida experienced a massive land boom in the 1920s as investors and speculators flocked to the state to purchase real estate
  • The boom was fueled by the state's growing popularity as a tourist destination and the availability of cheap land
• The Florida Land Boom led to rapid development and population growth in cities like Miami, Tampa, and St. Petersburg
  • Developers constructed new hotels, resorts, and housing developments to accommodate the influx of tourists and residents
• The boom also saw the creation of new planned communities like Coral Gables and Boca Raton which were designed to attract wealthy residents
• The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 caused widespread damage and slowed the land boom as investors became more cautious
• The collapse of the Florida Land Boom in the late 1920s left many investors and developers with significant losses and contributed to the state's economic downturn
• The Great Depression hit Florida particularly hard as the state's economy was heavily dependent on tourism and real estate
  • Many Floridians lost their jobs and homes, and the state government struggled to provide relief
• The New Deal programs of the 1930s provided some relief to Florida through public works projects and agricultural subsidies
  • The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed thousands of young men in conservation and infrastructure projects throughout the state

Technological Advancements

• The 1920s saw significant advancements in technology that transformed American society and culture
• The widespread adoption of the automobile revolutionized transportation and gave rise to a new culture of mobility and freedom
  • The Ford Model T became the first mass-produced and affordable car, making automobile ownership accessible to the middle class
• The development of assembly line production techniques allowed for the mass production of consumer goods at lower costs
  • This led to the growth of a consumer culture and increased spending on household appliances, clothing, and other goods
• The rise of radio broadcasting transformed communication and entertainment
  • The first commercial radio station, KDKA, began broadcasting in 1920, and by the end of the decade, millions of Americans owned radios
• The film industry experienced significant growth with the rise of Hollywood and the popularization of "talkies" (films with synchronized sound)
  • The first feature-length talkie, "The Jazz Singer," was released in 1927
• Advancements in aviation, such as Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic flight in 1927, captured the public imagination and paved the way for the development of commercial air travel
• The invention of the electric refrigerator and other household appliances transformed domestic life and reduced the burden of household chores
• The development of new materials like bakelite and celluloid allowed for the mass production of affordable consumer goods (jewelry, toys)

Impact on Different Demographics

• The economic boom of the 1920s primarily benefited the middle and upper classes, while many working-class Americans struggled to make ends meet
  • The unequal distribution of wealth and the decline of labor unions contributed to growing economic inequality
• African Americans faced significant discrimination and segregation during the 1920s, despite the cultural flowering of the Harlem Renaissance
  • The rise of the Ku Klux Klan and the prevalence of lynching and racial violence highlighted the ongoing struggle for civil rights
• Women made significant gains in the 1920s with the passage of the 19th Amendment and the rise of the "flapper" culture
  • However, women still faced discrimination in the workplace and were often relegated to low-paying jobs
• Immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe faced growing nativism and xenophobia during the 1920s
  • The passage of the Immigration Act of 1924 severely restricted immigration from these regions
• The Great Depression had a devastating impact on all Americans, but some groups were hit particularly hard
  • African Americans and other minority groups faced higher rates of unemployment and poverty
  • Farmers in the Great Plains region suffered from a combination of drought, overproduction, and falling crop prices (Dust Bowl)
• The New Deal programs of the 1930s provided some relief to struggling Americans, but the benefits were not distributed equally
  • African Americans and other minority groups often received less assistance than white Americans

Legacy and Long-Term Effects

• The cultural and social changes of the 1920s had a lasting impact on American society
  • The rise of consumerism, mass media, and popular entertainment transformed American culture and laid the foundation for the modern era
• The economic policies of the 1920s, including low taxes and limited regulation, contributed to the stock market crash and the Great Depression
  • The crisis led to a reevaluation of the role of government in the economy and the rise of Keynesian economics
• The Great Depression had a profound impact on American politics and society
  • The New Deal programs of the 1930s expanded the role of the federal government and laid the foundation for the modern welfare state
  • The crisis also led to a realignment of political loyalties, with many working-class Americans shifting their support to the Democratic Party
• The experiences of the 1920s and 1930s shaped the worldview of an entire generation
  • The "Lost Generation" of writers and artists, including Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, captured the disillusionment and alienation of the post-war era
• The legacy of the Harlem Renaissance continued to inspire African American artists and activists in the decades that followed
  • The movement laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s
• The technological advancements of the 1920s, including the rise of the automobile and radio, transformed American society and laid the foundation for the modern era
  • The development of mass production techniques and the growth of consumer culture continue to shape the American economy and way of life