america breaks and grows 1865-1939
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America Breaks and Grows 1865-1939. Reconstruction: 1865-1877 Gilded Age: 1877-1890 Progressive Era: 1890-1914 WWI: 1914-1919 Roaring 20’s: 1920-1929 Great Depression: 1929-1939. How Did We Get Here?. 1863 – Emancipation Proclamation - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
America Breaks and Grows1865-1939
Reconstruction: 1865-1877
Gilded Age: 1877-1890
Progressive Era: 1890-1914
WWI: 1914-1919
Roaring 20’s: 1920-1929
Great Depression: 1929-1939
How Did We Get Here?How Did We Get Here? 1863 – Emancipation 1863 – Emancipation
ProclamationProclamation 1864 – Nathaniel 1864 – Nathaniel
Hawthorne died. Hawthorne died. Opened the doors, so Opened the doors, so to speak.to speak.
1865 – Twain hits his 1865 – Twain hits his stride. “The Celebrated stride. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" Calaveras County"
1835-1910
End of Civil WarEnd of Civil War April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865 April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865
Walt Whitman Walt Whitman (1819-1892) saw (1819-1892) saw Lincoln often, but Lincoln often, but the two never met the two never met face to face. Wrote face to face. Wrote much about Lincoln.much about Lincoln.
““When Lilacs Last in When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard the Dooryard Bloom’d”Bloom’d”
““O Captain, My O Captain, My Captain”Captain” Lincoln Assassinated on April 14Lincoln Assassinated on April 14
Whitman’s ThemesWhitman’s Themes Transcendent power of love, Transcendent power of love,
brotherhood, and comradeshipbrotherhood, and comradeship Imaginative projection into Imaginative projection into
others’ livesothers’ lives Optimistic faith in democracy Optimistic faith in democracy
and equalityand equality Belief in regenerative and Belief in regenerative and
illustrative powers of nature illustrative powers of nature and its value as a teacherand its value as a teacher
Equivalence of body and soul Equivalence of body and soul and the unabashed exaltation and the unabashed exaltation of the body and sexualityof the body and sexuality
Reconstruction: 1865-1877Reconstruction: 1865-1877 CarpetbaggersCarpetbaggers CopperheadsCopperheads 1414thth amendment – Minorities born in USA amendment – Minorities born in USA
get citizenship (not Native Americans)get citizenship (not Native Americans) 1515thth Amendment – Black men get right to Amendment – Black men get right to
vote vote Military rule over SouthMilitary rule over South 1866 – Freedmen’s Bureau1866 – Freedmen’s Bureau 1870- Grant’s Ku Klux Klan Act designed to 1870- Grant’s Ku Klux Klan Act designed to
curtail the KKK using federal troopscurtail the KKK using federal troops
1876: 100 Year Anniversary1876: 100 Year Anniversary
Grown from 2.5 M to 46 M peopleGrown from 2.5 M to 46 M people Exports exceeded imports for first timeExports exceeded imports for first time Rights of Women movement startsRights of Women movement starts NYC: Children’s Aid Society contains NYC: Children’s Aid Society contains
11,000 homeless boys; 3000 more 11,000 homeless boys; 3000 more abandoned babies on its doorstepabandoned babies on its doorstep
Vanderbilt Family spends $200,000 on Vanderbilt Family spends $200,000 on a party. Wealth gap increases.a party. Wealth gap increases.
Gilded Age: 1877-1893Gilded Age: 1877-1893
Twain, William Dean Howells, Twain, William Dean Howells, Louisa May Alcott, Bret Harte, Louisa May Alcott, Bret Harte, Henry James Henry James
Blue collar worker expansionBlue collar worker expansion Rural to urban migrationRural to urban migration 1870-1900: 12 million immigrants1870-1900: 12 million immigrants 70% through New York70% through New York Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 German, English, Irish, ChineseGerman, English, Irish, Chinese
William Dean Howells: 1837-1920
• Campaign Manager for Lincoln • U.S. Consul to Italy (1861-1865)• Editor of Atlantic Monthly (1871-
1881)• Realism author. Rise of Silas
Lapham (1885)• Dean of American Letters• Wrote a hundred books in various
genres, including novels, poems, literary criticism, plays, memoirs, and travel narratives
• Social Issues subject of his books: women’s rights, workers rights, and rights for minorities.
• 1887 – execution of Haymarket radicals
Louisa May Alcott Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)(1832-1888)
1868 – 1868 – Little WomenLittle Women 1871 – 1871 – Little MenLittle Men 1873 – 1873 – WorkWork Promoted Promoted interracial interracial marriage and marriage and racial blurring.racial blurring.
Alcott’s novels emphasize the growth their heroines must undergo to become intellectually and emotionally independent. In Alcott's vision of womanhood, only when a woman can stand alone and is not dependent on a man for fulfillment is she capable of finding happiness, whether married or not. By 1882, she was famous and wealthy.
Emily Dickinson: 1830-1886 Throughout her life, she
seldom left her house and visitors were scarce.
Her poems are typically marked by the intimate recollection of inspirational moments, which are decidedly life-giving and suggest the possibility of happiness.
Wrote about 800 good poems
Bret Harte: 1836-1902Bret Harte: 1836-1902 Short stories of the WestShort stories of the West 1867 – 1867 – The Lost GalleonThe Lost Galleon 18691869 – Outcasts of Poker Flat – Outcasts of Poker Flat 1876 – 1876 – Gabriel ConroyGabriel Conroy Romanticist thwarted by Romanticist thwarted by
Realism. Stock characters.Realism. Stock characters.
Twain and Harte broke off Twain and Harte broke off friendship in 1877, after the flop of friendship in 1877, after the flop of a co-written play. a co-written play.
Twain said, “"Well, Bret came down Twain said, “"Well, Bret came down to Hartford and we talked it over, to Hartford and we talked it over, and then Bret wrote it while I and then Bret wrote it while I played billiards, but of course I had played billiards, but of course I had to go over it to get the dialect to go over it to get the dialect right. Bret never did know anything right. Bret never did know anything about dialect." about dialect."
Henry James: 1843-1916Henry James: 1843-1916 1877 – 1877 – The AmericanThe American 1878 – 1878 – Daisy MillerDaisy Miller 1881 – 1881 – Portrait of a LadyPortrait of a Lady 1886 – 1886 – BostoniansBostonians 1897 – 1897 – What Maisie KnewWhat Maisie Knew 1898 – 1898 – Turn of the ScrewTurn of the Screw W.D.H. on James: “[It is his] realism of W.D.H. on James: “[It is his] realism of
Daudet rather than the realism of Zola Daudet rather than the realism of Zola that prevails [in his work], and it has a that prevails [in his work], and it has a soul of its own…” (A compliment)soul of its own…” (A compliment)
Westward Ho!Westward Ho! 1849 Gold Rush1849 Gold Rush 1876 Dakota Gold Rush1876 Dakota Gold Rush 1896 Klondike Gold Rush1896 Klondike Gold Rush Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny Explorers, Outlaws, Explorers, Outlaws,
LawmenLawmen Land Grant statesLand Grant states Indian WarsIndian Wars
American Gold American Gold RushesRushes 1848 – California: Before the discovery of gold, 1848 – California: Before the discovery of gold,
California contained 12,000 Mexicans, 20,000 California contained 12,000 Mexicans, 20,000 Native Americans and 2,000 Yankees. By 1850, Native Americans and 2,000 Yankees. By 1850, there were more than 100,000 immigrants.there were more than 100,000 immigrants.
1874 – South Dakota: 1,000 men, led by General 1874 – South Dakota: 1,000 men, led by General Custer patrolled the Black Hills area, a large Custer patrolled the Black Hills area, a large region held sacred by the Sioux. A couple miners region held sacred by the Sioux. A couple miners attached to his party discovered gold. The mines attached to his party discovered gold. The mines produced 10 percent of the world’s gold supply produced 10 percent of the world’s gold supply over the next 125 years. over the next 125 years.
1896 – Klondike, Alaska: Gold discovered in the 1896 – Klondike, Alaska: Gold discovered in the White and Chilkoot passes, each inhumanly White and Chilkoot passes, each inhumanly forbidding high-altitude areas. Of the 100,000 forbidding high-altitude areas. Of the 100,000 people who set out for the Klondike, 30-40 people who set out for the Klondike, 30-40 thousand got there, and only 15-20 thousand thousand got there, and only 15-20 thousand prospected. Possibly 4,000 found some gold. prospected. Possibly 4,000 found some gold.
Explorers, Outlaws, and Explorers, Outlaws, and LawmenLawmen
▪ ▪ Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt▪ ▪ Butch Cassidy and Butch Cassidy and
"The Sundance Kid" "The Sundance Kid" ▪ ▪ John FremontJohn Fremont▪ ▪ Billy the KidBilly the Kid▪ ▪ Earp Brothers and Earp Brothers and
Doc HollidayDoc Holliday▪ ▪ Jesse James GangJesse James Gang▪ ▪ Calamity JaneCalamity Jane
▪ ▪ Cochise, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and CusterCochise, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and Custer
▪ ▪ "Buffalo Bill" Cody"Buffalo Bill" Cody
The dead men after the OK Corral Shootout
Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny
Lady Columbia, a Lady Columbia, a personification of personification of America, leads America, leads settlers westward, settlers westward, stringing telegraph stringing telegraph wire as she travels, wire as she travels, while holding a while holding a schoolbook. The schoolbook. The Indians and wild Indians and wild animals flee. animals flee. Notice the different Notice the different socio-economic socio-economic backgrounds backgrounds represented. represented.
From 1845-1890, this meant Westward expansion. From 1890-1929, it meant expansion outside of North America.
““Indian” Wars: 1872-Indian” Wars: 1872-18901890
Battle of the Little Big Horn (1876): General Battle of the Little Big Horn (1876): General Custer’s force of just over 200 engaged the Custer’s force of just over 200 engaged the Lakota and Cheyenne Indian force of about Lakota and Cheyenne Indian force of about 750. Custer and his entire force were killed 750. Custer and his entire force were killed in about 3 hours.in about 3 hours.
Massacre at Massacre at Wounded Knee Wounded Knee (1890): fighting (1890): fighting lasted less than lasted less than an hour; over 150 an hour; over 150 Lakota were killed Lakota were killed and 50 wounded. and 50 wounded. The U.S. Army The U.S. Army casualties casualties numbered 25 numbered 25 dead and 39 dead and 39 wounded.wounded.
Oklahoma Land RushOklahoma Land Rush 1889-1895: In 1893 alone, more than 100,000 1889-1895: In 1893 alone, more than 100,000
white settlers rush into Oklahoma's Cherokee white settlers rush into Oklahoma's Cherokee Outlet to claim seven million acres of former Outlet to claim seven million acres of former Cherokee land. Cherokee land.
1892 World’s Fair, 1892 World’s Fair, Edison’s Telephone, Edison’s Telephone,
Chicago RiotChicago Riot
Depression (Panic) of Depression (Panic) of 18931893
Why? Gold standard changedWhy? Gold standard changed New building constructionNew building construction Agrarian factors – limited economic Agrarian factors – limited economic
influence and increased competitioninfluence and increased competition High debt (especially to England)High debt (especially to England) 1870-1890 number of farms rose 80%, 1870-1890 number of farms rose 80%,
to 4.5 Millionto 4.5 Million 1870-1890 price of farmed goods 1870-1890 price of farmed goods
dropped 60%dropped 60%
Unemployment RatesUnemployment Rates1890-19001890-1900
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900
Rise of Business, Unions, and Socialism: 1890-1910 1890 – Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1 901, 1911) 1890 – Jane Addams’ Hull House founded 1891 – Populist Party formed 1891 – Edison’s Kinetoscope is invented Hamlin Garland, Sara Orne Jewitt, Stephen
Crane, Kate Chopin, Emily Dickinson, Frank Norris, Theodore Dreiser
Naturalism relies on these conditions
Hamlin Garland: 1860-1940 A novelist, short-story writer,
poet, essayist, and memoirist, Garland lectured widely on American literature and writers for over 40 years.
1891 – Main-Traveled Roads “Under the Lion’s Paw” is most
famous short story.
Sara Orne Jewitt: 1849-1909
1890 – Tales of New England
Her fiction is characterized by intimate views of characters' lives, the growth and trials of friendship, and a good deal of humor, both broad and subtle.
Stephen Crane: 1871-1900
Realist 1893 – Maggie, Girl
of the Streets1895 – Red Badge
of Courage1897 – “The Open
Boat”
1900 Census 76.2 Million
People 45 states 1800 Census:
5.3 Million People
New York’s Metropolitan Museum excluded the working class, as it was closed on Sunday, the only day workers were free. That changed in 1891 as an early “Progressive” move.
Kate Chopin: 1851-1904 1894 – Bayou Folk “A Pair of Silk Stockings” “Desiree’s Baby” “The Story of an Hour” 1899 – The Awakening Realist. Distinctly unsentimental
in her approach, she often relied on popular period motifs, such as the conflict of the Yankee businessman and the Creole.
Progressive Era: 1893-1914
Congress chartered the National Child Labor Committee in 1907. However, it took until 1938 before Congress disallowed kids under 16 to work in dangerous jobs. Congress also enacted the 40 hour work week in 1938.
Frank Norris: 1870-1902 Naturalist who takes on
Big Business 1899 – McTeague 1900 – A Man’s Woman 1900 – Blix 1902 – The Pit Most of his works include
realistic descriptions of violence, squalor, and determinism.
Theodore Dreiser: 1871-1945 1900 – Sister Carrie 1912 – The Financier Naturalist – Social inequality 1925 – An American Tragedy From An American Tragedy:
"Well, here is one who, whatever her defects, probably does what she believes as nearly as possible."
Early American Early American ImperialismImperialism
Panama Canal (1904-Panama Canal (1904-1914)1914)
Spanish American War Spanish American War (1898)(1898) Puerto Rico, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Philippines,
Cuba, GuamCuba, Guam Lending issues with Lending issues with
EuropeEurope Chinese ports for tradeChinese ports for trade Oil contractsOil contracts Edith Wharton, Jack Edith Wharton, Jack
London, Robert Frost, London, Robert Frost, Gertrude Stein, Sinclair Gertrude Stein, Sinclair Lewis, Hamlin Garland, Lewis, Hamlin Garland, T.S. Eliot, Sherwood T.S. Eliot, Sherwood AndersonAnderson
Edith Wharton: 1862-1937
1905 – House of Mirth 1911 – Ethan Frome 1920 – The Age of Innocence Wharton made fun of the
narrow-minded and ignorant upper class through irony
Crossed the Atlantic 66 times Won France’s highest civilian
award
Jack London (1876-1916) Highest paid, most popular writer in America in
early 20th Century. Man vs. Nature An illegitimate child from California At 15 became an oyster pirate At 17 joined a sealing ship for 3 months 30 day imprisonment; after, went to Cal Berkeley Gained information for stories from his time in the
Klondike searching for gold Call of the Wild (1903), Sea-Wolf (1904), White Fang
(1906) Died a millionaire at 40 of various diseases and
treatments First real “scientific farmer” – Darwinist
stockbreeder Built his own ship, The Snark, and cruised the
South Pacific for 27 months.
Robert Frost (1874-1963)
4 Pulitzer Prizes Called the “American Bard” “Road Not Taken,” “Mending
Wall,” “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening”
Born in California; named for Robert E. Lee
New England settings; moved there at 11
Study of contrasts – dark and depressed/beauty of nature
Traditional form and meter
Gertrude Stein (1874-1946)
Coined the term “Lost Generation”
Openly lesbian and feminist (Alice B. Toklas)
Volunteered to drive supply vehicles in WWI in France
Spent most of her life abroad, especially in France
Anti-FDR; opposed New Deal Elitist poet and author Three Lives (1909); Tender
Buttons (1914) Picasso (1938); Patriarchal
Poetry (1953)
Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951)
Nobel Prize in 1930 (first American winner)
22 novels and 3 plays Main Street (1920); Babbitt
(1922) Socialist (typical of many
authors of his time) Awarded Pulitzer Prize in 1926,
but rejected it, saying prizes were silly. He had lost the Pulitzer twice as a runner-up. He accepted the Nobel in 1930.
Hamlin Garland (1860-1940)
Midwestern guy (Wisconsin) Main-Traveled Roads (1891):
“Under the Lion’s Paw” Realist – can we argue Naturalist,
too? 1922 Pulitzer Prize Wrote biographies and much about
the Wild West and issues concerning the Midwest
The Book of the American Indian (1923)
Forty Years of Psychic Research (1936)
The Mystery of the Buried Crosses (1939)
T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)
1948 Nobel Prize Literary Critic, poet, essayist,
dramatist “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”
(1917) Wasteland (1922) Born in USA; became British citizen in
1927 Modernist – Ezra Pound’s “Make it
New!” Ash Wednesday (1930) – Conversion
Poem Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats
(1939) – became the basis for Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical Cats. A book for children.
Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941)
Winesburg, Ohio – short story collection (1919)
Fought in Spanish American War (1899)
American Grotesque Epitaph: “Life, Not Death, is the
Great Adventure” "Everyone in the world is Christ and
they are all crucified." Friends with famous authors of his
time: William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Carl Sandburg, and scrapped with Hemingway.
Black AmericaBlack America Jim Crow Laws Jim Crow Laws
(1876-1968)(1876-1968) 1896 – Plessy vs 1896 – Plessy vs
FergusonFerguson Harlem Harlem
Renaissance Renaissance (1919-1934)(1919-1934)
KKK (1866-1873; KKK (1866-1873; 1925-present)1925-present)
Jim Crow Laws (1876-Jim Crow Laws (1876-1954, 1964, 1968)1954, 1964, 1968) Enacted in Southern States as Enacted in Southern States as
Reconstruction ended (1876).Reconstruction ended (1876). Basically overruled 14Basically overruled 14thth and 15 and 15thth
Amendments (1870)Amendments (1870) Horrific laws imposed on BlacksHorrific laws imposed on Blacks Examples: voting disfranchisement, Examples: voting disfranchisement,
public accommodations, living public accommodations, living quarters, athletics, separate libraries, quarters, athletics, separate libraries, advertisements marked “colored” or advertisements marked “colored” or “white,” etc. “white,” etc.
Plessy vs. Ferguson Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896)(1896) Upheld the Constitutionality of Racial Segregation Upheld the Constitutionality of Racial Segregation
(Separate IS Equal)(Separate IS Equal) June 7, 1892, in a planned act, Homer Plessy June 7, 1892, in a planned act, Homer Plessy
boarded a whites-only train car. He was an boarded a whites-only train car. He was an octoroon, and could often “pass.” He did not this octoroon, and could often “pass.” He did not this time. He refused to leave and was arrested. Lost time. He refused to leave and was arrested. Lost his case in local, district, and federal courts.his case in local, district, and federal courts.
Destroyed most of 1875 Civil Rights LawsDestroyed most of 1875 Civil Rights Laws Upheld most of 1890 Louisiana State mandatory Upheld most of 1890 Louisiana State mandatory
separation laws.separation laws. Overturned in 1954 Brown vs. Topeka Board of Overturned in 1954 Brown vs. Topeka Board of
Ed.Ed.
Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance (1919-1934)(1919-1934)
The Harlem Renaissance was more than just a literary movement: it included racial consciousness, "the Back to Africa" movement led by Marcus Garvey, racial integration, the explosion of music particularly jazz, spirituals and blues, painting, dramatic revues, and others.
William H. Johnson - artist
Langston Hughes, WEB DuBois (The Talented Tenth), Booker T. Washington (D. 1915, but impact greatly felt), Jean Toomer, Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay, Arna Bontemps, Nella Larsen.
KKK (1866-1873; 1915-KKK (1866-1873; 1915-present)present) Birth of a NationBirth of a Nation (1915) (1915) Founded by Confederate Founded by Confederate
Soldiers after Civil WarSoldiers after Civil War Destroyed by Pres. Grant Destroyed by Pres. Grant
with 1870-1871 Civil with 1870-1871 Civil Rights Acts (Federal Rights Acts (Federal Troops)Troops)
In 1925, 15% of all white In 1925, 15% of all white men (4.7 million) were in men (4.7 million) were in KKKKKK
Anti: Catholic, Black, Jew, Anti: Catholic, Black, Jew, CommunistCommunist
Today: 70,000 members Today: 70,000 members nationwide, in numerous nationwide, in numerous small “cells” or small “cells” or “chapters” “chapters”
WWI (1914-1919)WWI (1914-1919)
The Great WarThe Great War Trench WarfareTrench Warfare Almost 10 million killedAlmost 10 million killed Germany lost, and several European nations Germany lost, and several European nations
earned independence.earned independence. Britain lost imperialistic groundBritain lost imperialistic ground Unresolved issues led to European theatre in Unresolved issues led to European theatre in
WWIIWWII America emerged from limited involvement America emerged from limited involvement
as world poweras world power Battle of the Somme – 450,000 British DeadBattle of the Somme – 450,000 British Dead U-Boats and the U-Boats and the LusitaniaLusitania Zimmerman Telegram (from British Room 40)Zimmerman Telegram (from British Room 40)
Trenches, Machine Trenches, Machine Guns, and Poison GasGuns, and Poison Gas
Jingoism/Jingoism/NationalismNationalism
““Extreme chauvinism” and NativismExtreme chauvinism” and Nativism Imperialism and heavy military Imperialism and heavy military
influenceinfluence Teddy Roosevelt – 1893Teddy Roosevelt – 1893 Suppression of rights for immigrantsSuppression of rights for immigrants
Modernism: 1917-1939Modernism: 1917-1939
Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Wallace Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Wallace Stevens, Ernest Hemingway, William Stevens, Ernest Hemingway, William Carlos Williams, Edna St. Vincent Carlos Williams, Edna St. Vincent Millay, John Steinbeck, William FaulknerMillay, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner
Political, artistic and cultural Political, artistic and cultural movement that is positive and movement that is positive and powerful, advocating the use of all powerful, advocating the use of all scientific and human means of scientific and human means of determining a better environment and determining a better environment and living it. “Make it new!”living it. “Make it new!”
Roughly encompasses 1890-1940Roughly encompasses 1890-1940
Roaring 20’s (1919-Roaring 20’s (1919-1929)1929) Intolerance, isolation, cynicismIntolerance, isolation, cynicism $5 workday, incredible economic $5 workday, incredible economic
power, first Transatlantic flight, Jazz power, first Transatlantic flight, Jazz AgeAge
Gangsters, KKK, harsh immigration Gangsters, KKK, harsh immigration laws, Volstead Act (Prohibition)laws, Volstead Act (Prohibition)
Flappers, parties, wealth Flappers, parties, wealth acquisition, automobile, aircraft, acquisition, automobile, aircraft, radio, telephoneradio, telephone
Stock Market Crash Stock Market Crash (1929)(1929) Buying stock on margin – for each dollar Buying stock on margin – for each dollar
of stock, purchased $9 of stockof stock, purchased $9 of stock DOW increased from 60 to 400 from DOW increased from 60 to 400 from
1921 to 1929. Did not reach 400 again 1921 to 1929. Did not reach 400 again until 1955.until 1955.
Economics - banks had invested Economics - banks had invested customer money in stock (on margin). customer money in stock (on margin). 10,000 banks failed, and $140 Billion in 10,000 banks failed, and $140 Billion in customer money disappeared. Also the customer money disappeared. Also the Fed had raised interest rates too high to Fed had raised interest rates too high to stifle inflation. stifle inflation.
Did not learn lessons from the first Did not learn lessons from the first depression in 1893depression in 1893
Market lost $16 Billion in capitalizationMarket lost $16 Billion in capitalization
Great DepressionGreat Depression1929-19391929-1939 MigrationMigration War machineWar machine CCCCCC New DealNew Deal Patriotism (against communism)Patriotism (against communism) Stats: 32% of Americans were Stats: 32% of Americans were
below poverty line. below poverty line.
Ezra Pound (1885-Ezra Pound (1885-1972)1972)
Most important player in Modernist movements in Most important player in Modernist movements in literature and the artsliterature and the arts
Left U.S. for China and Europe in 1908Left U.S. for China and Europe in 1908 ““invented” imagism in art, sculpture, and poetryinvented” imagism in art, sculpture, and poetry Detested WWI – felt betrayed by Europe and U.S.Detested WWI – felt betrayed by Europe and U.S. CathayCathay (1915) (1915) The Cantos (1915-1972) – an epic spanning The Cantos (1915-1972) – an epic spanning
his entire life. Portions of it won major awards his entire life. Portions of it won major awards In 1924, Pound moved to Italy. Not a wise choice In 1924, Pound moved to Italy. Not a wise choice
overall. Worked for Axis powers during WWII as overall. Worked for Axis powers during WWII as propagandist. Nervous breakdown in 1945 in propagandist. Nervous breakdown in 1945 in prison.prison.
Arrested and tried for treason by U.S. Arrested and tried for treason by U.S. Government. Found unfit for trial because of Government. Found unfit for trial because of insanity. Institutionalized from 1946-1958. insanity. Institutionalized from 1946-1958. Released in 1958, moved to Italy, and stayed Released in 1958, moved to Italy, and stayed until death. until death.
Vicious opponent of federal banking systems.Vicious opponent of federal banking systems.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)1940)
““Inventor” of “Lost Generation” novelInventor” of “Lost Generation” novel Named after his relative, Francis Named after his relative, Francis
Scott Key. Married Zelda Sayre in Scott Key. Married Zelda Sayre in 1920. 1920.
The Romantic EgotistThe Romantic Egotist (1920) (1920) The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby (1923) (1923) Tender is the NightTender is the Night (1934) (1934) Friends with Hemingway, until a fight Friends with Hemingway, until a fight
split them forever. (Zelda hated split them forever. (Zelda hated Hemingway anyway).Hemingway anyway).
Zelda was inspiration for much of his Zelda was inspiration for much of his partying, “lost” characters. He partying, “lost” characters. He quoted her directly in some quoted her directly in some characters. She had a more powerful characters. She had a more powerful personality than Fitzgerald.personality than Fitzgerald.
Wallace Stevens Wallace Stevens (1879-1955)(1879-1955)
Major Modernist poetMajor Modernist poet Fun fact: His wife Elsie’s face was Fun fact: His wife Elsie’s face was
used on the Mercury Dime (1916-used on the Mercury Dime (1916-1945)1945)
Lawyer and eventual V.P. of insurance Lawyer and eventual V.P. of insurance company (The Hartford)company (The Hartford)
Pulitzer Prize in 1955Pulitzer Prize in 1955 His best work was written after he His best work was written after he
turned 50, an amazing turned 50, an amazing accomplishment.accomplishment.
HarmoniumHarmonium (1923) (1923) National Book Awards (1951, 1955)National Book Awards (1951, 1955) Believed old religion was dead, and Believed old religion was dead, and
life must be lived differently now.life must be lived differently now.
Ernest Hemingway Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)(1899-1961) A part of ex-pat community in A part of ex-pat community in
Paris.Paris. Many canonical works:Many canonical works: In Our TimeIn Our Time (1925) (1925) Sun Also RisesSun Also Rises (1926) (1926) A Farewell to ArmsA Farewell to Arms (1929) (1929) For Whom the Bell TollsFor Whom the Bell Tolls (1940) (1940) The Old Man and the SeaThe Old Man and the Sea (1952) (1952)
– won Pulitzer for this in 1953. – won Pulitzer for this in 1953. Won Nobel in 1954.Won Nobel in 1954.
Notorious exaggerator; great Notorious exaggerator; great athlete.athlete.
Drove ambulance in WWI.Drove ambulance in WWI.
William Carlos William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)Williams (1883-1963) Imagist poetryImagist poetry ““The Red Wheelbarrow”The Red Wheelbarrow”
Edna St. Vincent Millay Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950)(1892-1950) Sonnets (see course pack)Sonnets (see course pack) BohemianBohemian
John Steinbeck John Steinbeck (1902-1968)(1902-1968) Modernist. Accent novellas firstModernist. Accent novellas first
William Faulkner William Faulkner (1897-1962)(1897-1962) Time, identity, Southern GothicTime, identity, Southern Gothic Absalom! Absalom!Absalom! Absalom! Sound and the FurySound and the Fury Snopes TrilogySnopes Trilogy Yoknapatapha XountyYoknapatapha Xounty
Then What Happens?Then What Happens?
German invasion of Poland, in 1939German invasion of Poland, in 1939 End of Colonialism (1946-1950)End of Colonialism (1946-1950) Atomic Bomb (1945)Atomic Bomb (1945) WW II (1939-1945)WW II (1939-1945) Korean War (1950-1953)Korean War (1950-1953) Cold War (1945-1989)Cold War (1945-1989) Vietnam (1964-1975)Vietnam (1964-1975)