'Its's Your Dime'-A Radio Program

'Its's Your Dime'-A Radio Program
An Internet Hotlist on Roaring Twenties

created by Debbie Bergen
C.W.Post

Introduction

The 1920’s were years of opulence and turbulence. This is the decade when modern society began. Americans were fascinated by the technological advances such as the movies, the automobile and the airplane. Yet on the other hand, these changes were shattering the core of their existence. For many, it was a time when they felt torn between the quiet rural life they were accustomed to and the exciting Jazz age that was heating up the cities. It was a time of rising optimism and desperate cynicism. Along with great hope there was great despair.
America became the country of newness. Businesses were advertising their new products over the radio, products such as the automobile were being mass produced, higher wages and more leisure time gave people the incentive to purchase new and exciting products. Woman had newly been given the right to vote.
Not everyone was ready for this change. Herein lies the key to the great dilemma of the twenties. Conflicts arose at every turn. Some white citizens of small town America hoped for a return to old fashioned values. Woman accustomed to the Victorian standards, were shocked at the short skirts and the bobbed hair of the flappers. After the war, farmers had an overabundance of crops with nowhere to sell them all. Alas, there was no turning back!
This Webquest is designed to look at some of the key issues facing America in the 1920’s and try to look at it from opposing viewpoints. It will make you think a bit. Sometimes you may find yourself a bit confused about which side is right and which side is wrong. You may decide ,they both have a point. At any rate, there was plenty of controversy and conflict during this turbulent era. It will be your job to uncover these issues and relate them in human form.-through a radio show format you can let your audience decide for themselves. Read on…..

The Internet Resources

Overview

The 1920's Experience - This website hosts an excellent exploration of technology's impact on the 1920's. Other topics such as art, literature,music,entertainment,and fads and fashions are included as well.
Twenties Reconstruction Society - This site provides a good overview of the impact of automobiles,WWI and Prohibition. A highlight of this resource is the timeline.
The Lawless Decade - Excellent site for general overview of 1920's topics. The website is organized by year, with many graphics and a musical overlay.
Clash of Cultures in the 1910's and 1920's - This website is an informative overview of the cultural tensions of the era highlighting Prohibition,Immigration, the KKK, women and the Scopes trial.Each topic is complete with primary documents, secondary essays and photos or political cartoons.
Andy Chemistruck's Wonderful Introduction to the Roaring Twenties - This site provides an elementary overview of the issues of the period.There is a section on slang terms used in the 1920's.Some good links are provided as well.
The Roaring Twenties and The Great Depression - This website is an index of useful websites on the Roaring Twenties. Topics covered are Prohibition, crime, Jazz, art, literature and the Scopes trial.
The Roaring Twenties Hitchikers Guide - Lectures that will give you a good overview of 1920's-the woman's movement,Prohibition,economic conflicts,and the black experience.
Main Causes of the Great Depression - This site details those conflicts and contadictions that were representative of the roaring twenties.
Radio in the 1920's - This website gives good background information about the emergence of and the importance of radio.
Bookends:The 1920's and the 1930's - This website highlights the frustration and the anxieties of many Americans during the 1920's.
The Twenties:1913-1929-A Biography of America. - This website gives a very clear, overall account of the contrasts apparant in American society.
Old Time Radio - An inside look at old time radio in it's heydey. There are great examples of shows,including audio and commercials.

Prohibiton/Corruption/Crime

Temperence and Prohibition - This website reveals contrasting viewpoints on Prohibition. There is particularly good coverage of underlying causes and the impact of the role of women on this topic.
Statements about Prohibition in 1928 - Compilation of statements from actual people regarding their support of Prohibition.
Alcohol Prohibition was a Failure - An analytical essay of why Prohibition failed.
html>Prohibition-The Noble Experiment - Interesting facts about Prohibition and related topics.
Al Capone-Gangsters and Outlaws:Mob Bosses
Eliot Ness:The Man Behind the Myth

Economy/Consumerism

Prosperity and Thrift:The Coolidge Era and the Consumer Economy 1921-1929 - This website concentrates on the Coolidge presidency and how his administration impacted the nation's transition to a mass consumer economy. There are many links to primary sources and photos.
Economic History of the 1920's
A Shared Past-Agricultural Changes in the 1920's -
The Advertising of Installment Plans - descibes the advent of installment buying in the U.S. and the impact of it on the American consumer.
America's Economy in the 1920's. - This website describes how America was driven by it's economic power.

Immigration/Red Scare/KKK/Sacco-Vanzetti/African American

Sacco-Vanzetti Case - This website consists of two essays reflecting different points of view on this notorious trial. It allows for reflection or debate on this topic.
The Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti 1921 - This website gives full coverage of the trial. A unique aspect here is an analysis of the defense and the prosecutions evidence allowing the reader to come to their own conclusion.
Immigration Restrictions in the 1920's. - These are four detailed essays by students at Madison College.
Immigration Restrictions in the 1920's. - These are four detailed essays by students at Madison College.
Red Scare - Explanation of the Red Scare- its causes and effects on AMericans.

Woman/PopCulture/JazzAge/Harlem Renassaince

Solemates:The Century in Shoes - This site shows how the culture of the Roaring Twenties was reflected in the clothing.Silent movie clips and print advertisments highlight the fashions.
Jazz Age Chicago - This site provides the user with a great sense of how Chicago captured the essence of the twenties culture. There are detailed descriptions of actual venues of amusement such as hotels, movie theaters and chain stores in the Chicago area.
Harlem 1900-1940:Schomburg Exhibit Timeline - Illustrates people and events of the Harlem Rennasaince.
The Roaring Twenties Concert Extravaganza - Music of the 1920's with actual soundclips.
The New Woman - Describes the clash of cultures evident among the semale population in the 1920's.
Women in the 1920's - Clear exposition on the changes in American society during the roaring twenties and how these changes affected women.

Content by Debbie Bergen, snuggles556@aol.com
http://www.kn.sbc.com/wired/fil/pages/listroaringde.html
Last revised Mon Nov 24 21:06:11 US/Pacific 2003