Mrs. Ruland's United States History Class
The Cultural Gap of the 1920's:
Modern vs. Traditional Values
The 1920's was a time of great change for the United States, including a major cultural clash between the traditional versus modern values. Young women rebelled against their mothers' and grandmothers' conservative lifestyles, and developed a counterculture of their own.
In this activity, you will explore a variety of web pages in order to learn more about the diverging of values, the characteristics and beliefs of both generations, and their interaction with each other.
On your own paper, respond to each question in a well-organized paragraph; approximately 3-5 sentences each.
General Overview of Generational Clashes During the 1920's
Clash of Cultures During the 1920's
The Twenties
Flappers
1. Using the above links, describe the general characteristics of both generations, and briefly compare the two according to your first impressions upon reading these pages. What basic ideals do the mother/grandmother generation and daughter generation seem to stand for?
2. What historical background and events of the time would have prompted this conflict between the two generations?
Firsthand Accounts
Does Jazz Put the 'Sin' in Sincopation?
A Flapper's Appeal to Parents
3. After looking over these two contrasting views on the generational clash, describe how each article portrays both their own views and their opponent's views. Be sure to reference the above articles in your explanation.
4. Also look at the style in which the articles are written. Do their tones or attitudes say anything about the cultural group that they represent?
5. Which of the two generations do you feel presents their case (for change or no change) most convincingly? With whom do you agree most?
Fashions
For these first two pages, there are many links within the page. Click around to get a feel for the images in the database.
1920's Fashion
Pre-1920's Fashion
Dresses From Pre-1920's
6. After looking through the various fashion trends of the two time periods (older and younger generations,) summarize the look and function of their clothing.
7. How would you expect the people wearing these different styles of clothing to act?
Styles of Dance
19th Century Dance
1920's Dance
Dancing the Charleston
Crazy Flappers
8. What do the differences in dancing style say about each of the generations? How do their clothing styles fit with their preferred styles of dancing?
9. What other aspects of the flapper's lives do you think would help determine the fashions of the time?
Recap of the Conflict
Use information from all of the links above and your own knowledge of the 1920's to answer the following recap questions:
10. How drastic do you think the flapper's lifestyle changes were when compared to the traditional culture? Try not to focus on what is typical now in the 21st Century, but what was socially accepted during the 1900's versus the 1920's.
11. Do you think traditionalists were most shocked by the actual changes flapper's supported, or just by the fact that there was change occurring? Discuss.
Final Assignment
12. In a well-developed BCR, discuss the origins and characteristics of the generational gap during the 1920's. Be sure to address the specific lifestyles, preferences, and attitudes of each culture.
created by L. Desrochers for a mentorship project
Last updated May 2, 2008
© Marcella Ruland 1998-2009, All rights reserved
