WOMEN
Essential Question: How does the Flapper represent the "new woman"? Were the 1920's successful for the woman's movement?
The flapper represents the "new woman" because they were able to vote, were not property and were not bound by their husbands. They were not shy, but were wild and were risk takers. Smoking and driving, things men usually did, were now acceptable for women to do. Exuberance and extravagance defined this period. For the most part, a lot of progress was made in the woman's movement. The 19th Amendment and the Privy Court cases in Canada show that progress was made.
The flapper represents the "new woman" because they were able to vote, were not property and were not bound by their husbands. They were not shy, but were wild and were risk takers. Smoking and driving, things men usually did, were now acceptable for women to do. Exuberance and extravagance defined this period. For the most part, a lot of progress was made in the woman's movement. The 19th Amendment and the Privy Court cases in Canada show that progress was made.
How did the flappers change the view of women in the 1920's?
Women (and the flappers specifically) were seen as more free, independent, and wild. It was mostly seen as acceptable for women to smoke, drink, and drive cars. More women were in the workforce, mostly because of WWI because they accepted factory and manufacturing jobs. They had "the bob" haircut, and wore makeup and skirts or sleeveless dresses that went just below the knees. Clothing was much more comfortable and lighter because of synthetic products. Now women were capable of voting, although sometimes wives were encouraged to vote for who their husbands did. Since they could vote women were seen as intellectually equal to (and as capable as) men. Flappers also went to parties with jazz music and danced the Charleston, the Black Bottom, or the Shimmy. It was not seen as necessary for a women to want or have a husband because so many men died in WWI. They lived a fast-pace lifestyle with a lot of risks. However, even then and today there were some that believed a woman's place is at home. (Thinking like a historian- change and continuity).
Women (and the flappers specifically) were seen as more free, independent, and wild. It was mostly seen as acceptable for women to smoke, drink, and drive cars. More women were in the workforce, mostly because of WWI because they accepted factory and manufacturing jobs. They had "the bob" haircut, and wore makeup and skirts or sleeveless dresses that went just below the knees. Clothing was much more comfortable and lighter because of synthetic products. Now women were capable of voting, although sometimes wives were encouraged to vote for who their husbands did. Since they could vote women were seen as intellectually equal to (and as capable as) men. Flappers also went to parties with jazz music and danced the Charleston, the Black Bottom, or the Shimmy. It was not seen as necessary for a women to want or have a husband because so many men died in WWI. They lived a fast-pace lifestyle with a lot of risks. However, even then and today there were some that believed a woman's place is at home. (Thinking like a historian- change and continuity).
What gains did the Women's Movement make during the 1920's?
Women were able to vote because of the 19th Amendment and married women could own property (because of the Married Woman's Property Act of 1887). Wives were not owned by their husbands and were considered people. Because of laws like the Dower Act that were passed, wives could own part of her husband's estate. Women were able to work more hours and get minimum wage laws because there was a huge disparity between mens' and womens' incomes. Girls were encouraged to stay in school longer so they could get a decent job, and the richer families were able to send their daughters to college. Because of the Women's Movement women were empowered and felt more strength than before. In 1929 in Canada, the Privy Court said that women were people. The NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association) had protests, riots, and seminars.
On PBS Masterpiece Mystery, there is a show called Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. She is a Melbournian woman detective from the 1920's that dressed like a flapper. It was radical for there to be a woman detective because prior to that, men had always done those jobs. She is also a risk taker (watch the second clip). Here are two links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCLi74odC_U and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e59WJVUv1bo. The old woman in the background and the one that talks in the last scene is the traditional, conservative Aunt Prudence.
Women were able to vote because of the 19th Amendment and married women could own property (because of the Married Woman's Property Act of 1887). Wives were not owned by their husbands and were considered people. Because of laws like the Dower Act that were passed, wives could own part of her husband's estate. Women were able to work more hours and get minimum wage laws because there was a huge disparity between mens' and womens' incomes. Girls were encouraged to stay in school longer so they could get a decent job, and the richer families were able to send their daughters to college. Because of the Women's Movement women were empowered and felt more strength than before. In 1929 in Canada, the Privy Court said that women were people. The NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association) had protests, riots, and seminars.
On PBS Masterpiece Mystery, there is a show called Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. She is a Melbournian woman detective from the 1920's that dressed like a flapper. It was radical for there to be a woman detective because prior to that, men had always done those jobs. She is also a risk taker (watch the second clip). Here are two links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCLi74odC_U and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e59WJVUv1bo. The old woman in the background and the one that talks in the last scene is the traditional, conservative Aunt Prudence.
How was life different for women in the 1920's compared to the Progressive Era (1900-1920)?
Starting in the 1900's, women were fighting for voting rights and for the ability to have access to birth control information. During this time women were supposed to stay home and their main role was to cook meals for the children and make sure they were taught moral values. They were thought to be delicate and helpless, and their husband would make most of the decisions. Dating wise, women were much more worried about their appearance and readiness. According to one website,
"...a girl was groomed like a racehorse" and had to be "able to sing, play an instrument and speak a little French or Italian." During the 1920's, it was normal for young women to drive, own property, conduct business for themselves, and vote of course! Drinking and smoking in public became the norm. Although some still believed women were inferior to men, a lot of progress was still made. Even today there is not complete gender equality in society.
Starting in the 1900's, women were fighting for voting rights and for the ability to have access to birth control information. During this time women were supposed to stay home and their main role was to cook meals for the children and make sure they were taught moral values. They were thought to be delicate and helpless, and their husband would make most of the decisions. Dating wise, women were much more worried about their appearance and readiness. According to one website,
"...a girl was groomed like a racehorse" and had to be "able to sing, play an instrument and speak a little French or Italian." During the 1920's, it was normal for young women to drive, own property, conduct business for themselves, and vote of course! Drinking and smoking in public became the norm. Although some still believed women were inferior to men, a lot of progress was still made. Even today there is not complete gender equality in society.
PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
Dating clip- PBS http://video.pbs.org/video/2137721984/
AUTHOR- The person in the video is Margot Loines Wilkie.
PLACE AND TIME- The time period Wikie is talking about is the 1920's and I'm guessing that she was born around 1900-1905 because she would've been a young girl around that time. Time and place wouldn't affect the meaning of this source because she is talking about the past.
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE- I already know that in the 1920's dating became more like it was today, but I didn't know any specifics.
AUDIENCE- This source was created for those interested in history- I found this on PBS. If the audience was different, she might have included more details on a specific area like what activities they did or who paid for the bill, etc. (social areas compared to economic areas).
REASON- This source was created to inform people that dating and sexual practices during the 1920's changed and became more like they are today. This makes us realize that expectations before the 1920's and during the 1920's would have been a lot different compared to today. Before the 1920's dating was more conservative, then it became much more liberal, and now it's somewhere in between.
THE MAIN IDEA- This source is saying that how young boys and girls dated changed- you had to be careful with what you said, and according to Wilkie "couples started sleeping together." I think this means sexual practices were more relaxed than before! The conservative values of pre-WWI were fading away. Now, the girls didn't need a chaperone and were much more independent.
SIGNIFICANCE- This source is important because it shows how changes over 90 years ago have influenced the way we get to know other people today. Now the woman wasn't so dependent on the man, which is more how it is today. Before, the woman was dependent on the man economically, socially, etc. (Thinking like a historian- using the past). This is also my "make a connection between the 1920's and today"- notice the "REASON" area also).
PLACE AND TIME- The time period Wikie is talking about is the 1920's and I'm guessing that she was born around 1900-1905 because she would've been a young girl around that time. Time and place wouldn't affect the meaning of this source because she is talking about the past.
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE- I already know that in the 1920's dating became more like it was today, but I didn't know any specifics.
AUDIENCE- This source was created for those interested in history- I found this on PBS. If the audience was different, she might have included more details on a specific area like what activities they did or who paid for the bill, etc. (social areas compared to economic areas).
REASON- This source was created to inform people that dating and sexual practices during the 1920's changed and became more like they are today. This makes us realize that expectations before the 1920's and during the 1920's would have been a lot different compared to today. Before the 1920's dating was more conservative, then it became much more liberal, and now it's somewhere in between.
THE MAIN IDEA- This source is saying that how young boys and girls dated changed- you had to be careful with what you said, and according to Wilkie "couples started sleeping together." I think this means sexual practices were more relaxed than before! The conservative values of pre-WWI were fading away. Now, the girls didn't need a chaperone and were much more independent.
SIGNIFICANCE- This source is important because it shows how changes over 90 years ago have influenced the way we get to know other people today. Now the woman wasn't so dependent on the man, which is more how it is today. Before, the woman was dependent on the man economically, socially, etc. (Thinking like a historian- using the past). This is also my "make a connection between the 1920's and today"- notice the "REASON" area also).