The Roaring 1920's WebQuest

An Internet WebQuest on The Roaring 1920's

Created by

Mrs. Milano

20^th Century U.S. History – gr. 8

Based on WebQuest created by Cheryl Bussert

Forest Park Middle School

Introduction | The Quest | The Process & Resources | Grading Criteria

The overall impression of the Roaring 20s, or the Jazz Age as it also came to be known, was that it was a time of great fun and excitement! As you learn more about the 1920s, you will hopefully discover the tremendous changes that were taking place in the post-WWI U.S.. For many people, life was good—the 1920s symbolized carefree attitudes, living life to the fullest, and a seemingly strong economy, fueled by consumer spending made possible by money obtained from playing the market and installment buying. Life, however, was not as glorious for those of the lower socio-economic class, particularly Blacks and immigrants. For many of them, the 1920s represented continued hardships and discrimination.

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The Quest

The radio was a big part of everyday life in the 20's. Your task will be to create a radio broadcast

that your team can perform by researching a variety of sites on the decade and writing an historically

accurate program.

Click here to see a sample script

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The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest, you will be working together on a team. Each team will be broken down into smaller groups, which will contribute to the TASK by providing one segment of the broadcast. As a member of your group, you will explore webpages about The Roaring 1920's. The group responsible for segment 1 will write two NATIONAL NEWS stories, which may include information about the economic condition of the nation, famous scandals, or court cases. The group responsible for segment 2 will write about LOCAL NEWS, including one story about crime or criminals, and one sports story. The group responsible for segment 3 will write one story about MUSIC OR LITERATURE, and one story featuring an INTERVIEW WITH A FAMOUS WOMAN of the 1920s. Segment 4 will also feature an INTERVIEW, OF ANY NON-POLITICAL PERSON living at the time, as well as a commercial for a new product (invention). Segment 5 will feature one story about what people could do for fun during their LEISURE TIME, as well as a story about FASHION.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Most of the sites listed below will be helpful for all five segments. Before researching your

particular segment, everyone should read the article 'Radio in the 1920s.'

Radio in the 1920s - Background article about the emergence and importance of radio in the

1920s

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages

that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you

feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word

processor or other writing software.

2. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to get more information, as well as for your bibliography. (ex: Bussert, Cheryl. “The Roaring 1920s WebQuest.” http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/webtheroarch.html (18 Mar. 2002. 28 Oct. 2002).

3. Be sure to leave enough time to write out your articles clearly, remembering your audience

cannot see you, they can only hear your voice. Your stories should be true to history, and as

interesting as possible.

Segment 1: National news

Use the Internet information linked below to create Segment 1 - National news

1. What was going on in politics? What was going on in the country?

Choose one event or political figure (make it American!) to feature.

2. What was happening in business? What was happening to people's money?

How did it impact their lives? Choose one event or trend to report.

3. How did a particular event cause controversy or how did it impact peoples’ lives? What events

led up to you topic having taken place, what was the outcome? Who were the notable people

involved?

-Scopes Monkey Trial, Racism (segregation/KKK), Teapot Dome Scandal, Great

Depression, Labor Unions, Immigration (Red Scare), Sacco and Vanzetti

Andy Chemistruck's Wonderful Introduction to the Roaring 20's - Whoever

Andy is, he's got a nice page for 'Slang' of the period. Also check out his

'Statistics' page.

Prosperity and Thrift: The Coolidge Era and the Consumer Economy,

1921-1929 - This Library of Congress site is not for the novice, but is

incredible for primary source books, pictures, documents. Search by

subject.

Segment 2: Local News: Criminals/Crimes and Sports

Use the Internet information linked below to create Segment 2 - Criminals and

Sports news:

1. What were some of the famous crime stories of the times? Who were the people associated

with these crimes? Why were these crimes so newsworthy?

2. Who were the stars of what sports? What kind of accomplishments did they

make? Choose one sport to report on or one sports figure to feature.

1920's Interactive Literature Resource Gangster and Crime Page - Features

gangsters, crime and prohibition

The Roaring Twenties - Sports in the 1920's - Individuals and their

accomplishments are featured -

Segment 3: Music & Literature; Women in the news

Use the Internet information linked below to create Segment 3 - Music &

Literature; Women in the news

1. What was 'hot' in music? Who was performing it? OR What was 'hot' in

literature? Who was writing it?

2. Interview a woman of the 20s who was making headlines. This could be a musician/singer, author, activist, or possibly, a movie star. Focus on her contribution to her field.

Roaring 1920's Concert Extravaganza - Music of the Roaring 1920s - Listen

to actual sound clips from a variety of performers of the 1920's

Harlem 1900-1940: Schomburg Exhibit Timeline - People and events of the

Harlem Renaissance

Brief Timeline of American Literature, Music, and Movies 1920-1929 - This

page provides a limited sample of the music and films available during the

period.

Segment 4: Commercial and Interview

Use the Internet information linked below to create Segment 4 - Commercial and

Interview:

1. What products were being advertised in the 1920's? Choose one and write a

commercial. If you don't know enough about the product, where can you go to find

out more about it?

2. Who was famous enough (non-political) to have something to say on a radio

interview? Possible ideas: a famous author, comedian, actor or actress. What would the interviewer ask of this famous person? What might the person's response be? Remember - don't change history, just report it.

Caricatures - National Portrait Gallery features 6 caricatures of personalities

of the 20's

The Past Men of the Year - Full text articles of Time's Man of the Year

(began in 1927)

100 Years of Advertising - Famous ads and slogans for products from the

past 100 years

Andy Chemistruck's Wonderful Introduction to the Roaring 20's - Who's

Andy? I don't know, but from his introductory page, check out 'Slang' or

statistics'

Prosperity and Thrift: The Coolidge Era and the Consumer Economy, 1921-1929–

This Library of Congress site is not for the novice, but is

incredible for primary source books, pictures, documents. Search by subject

- try 'advertising.'

Greatest Films – memorable moments from great movies; movie personalities

Segment 5: Fashion & Leisure

1. What was the news in fashion? Women's, men's, children's clothes -- what were

they wearing that was new? How was it different from what came before it? Choose

one or two items to focus on.

2. What were some popular things that people were doing for fun? Give suggestions for leisure time activities as though the weekend was approaching– what new fads were “in”; what were people doing for entertainment?

Random Bits of 1920's Fashion - Contains illustrations of popular women’s

styles.

Women's Fashions of the 1920s - Dresses, hair, “flapper” - lots of pictures .

Flapper culture -