The Harlem Renaissance

Women were not the only ones who strive for change and greater equality - African Americans begin to assert their rights more openly. As with much change, however, there are reactions. Check out Tulsa in 1921, for example, and the move for Black Nationalism led by Marcus Garvey. But he's not the only figure to look at. There are also many cultural figures that have had a permanent impact on America's social and cultural landscape. Who are these people? How do you feel having African Americans contribute more openly to the broader culture, as they have always done, but now more openly and assertively? (21.4)

An Age of Heroes

With greater prosperity comes more leisure time, and as a result, more people following professional sports. Babe Ruth and Helen Wills are just two of the heroes that pervade the decade. How do these heroes fit into the American myth of rugged individualism?

A New Role for Women

With World War I came many changes for owmen, from the right to vote, to new jobs, to the corresponding change in family life. New women emerge: the flapper and the vamp, but do these changes create a new double standard? (21.2)

Urban vs. Rural

The US becomes an uban country and begins to listen to jazz, drive cars, and party even as the country embarks on the "Noble Experiment" of Prohibition. This experiment will then lead to the rise of organized crime, and a major event that seemed to propel the forces of modernity with tradtion into focus: The Scopes Trial. (21.1)

Prosperity

President Harding wants the US to "return to normalcy." Why might he say that? He and President Coolidge seem to return to laissez-faire with their pro-business platform, but there are also many schandals tha wrack the Harding administration. Is there a contradiction between these new policies and the new immigration restrictions, or were these restrictions overdue? At the same time, people made a lot of money during the 20s and wanted to spend it, but there were other aspects involved. They bought on credit, they bought a lot of new machines, especially the car, which brought forth its own social changes, and they bought stocks on the stock market. All these changes are important, but might they lead to more problems down the road? (20.2, 20.3)