The purpose of this paper is to provide a short but comprehensive overview of the new types of media – tabloids, magazines, radio, and motion pictures – that originated in the United States in the 1920s.
The emergence of those mass media went along with the emergence of a new mass culture. It is therefore necessary to take a look at the social, economic, and political context of the period at first. Then the various forms of media will be considered individually and examined with regard to their impact, both positive and negative, on American society. In doing so, it will become evident that the press, radio, and cinema of the time did not only reflect but also shape American popular culture towards a cosmopolitan, yet increasingly uniform point of view. The 1920s are commonly depicted as a decade of technological and scientific innovations, prosperity and entertainment, bootleggers and flappers, sports heroes and silent movie stars, hot jazz and the Charleston. Today, these keywords have taken on a rather romantic tinge of adventure. However, it must not be forgotten that the developments and achievements respectively which marked the 1920s were preceded and accompanied by profound social, economic, and cultural changes. Immigration and race, organized crime and prohibition, sexual morality and gender were the crucial issues on top of the agenda then. The United States experienced a fundamental shift in moral values and patterns of thought as it was moving from a rural, traditionalist culture to a far more permissive urban culture.
Before 1900, social and moral standards in the United States were based on the traditional Puritan beliefs in “self-help, hard work, thrift, and personal sobriety” (Goldberg 2003, 83). Those principles, which had been introduced by the early immigrants from Northern and Middle Europe, were represented by the majority classes of farmers and merchants. Guidelines on family and community life were set by trustworthy authorities, such as preachers, teachers, mayors, or judges.
At the turn of the century, industrialization brought about a major demographic shift from the country to the city, which was followed by a cultural rural-urban divide, i. e. the rural population lost its dominance to an ever increasing urban majority of industrial workers, non-European immigrants, and big businessmen.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Modern Times - A New Culture Emerges
- Print Journalism
- A Press for the Masses
- The Rise and Fall of Tabloids
- Magazines
- Advertising
- Radio Broadcasting
- Early Broadcasting Experiments
- The First Radio Stations
- Broadcasting Companies and Radio Networks
- Radio Advertising and Federal Regulation
- Radio Program and Radio's Impact on Society
- Motion Pictures
- When pictures began to move
- Silent Movies
- Talking Pictures
- Censorship
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper provides a concise overview of the new mass media – tabloids, magazines, radio, and motion pictures – that emerged in the United States during the 1920s. It examines these media forms individually, analyzing their impact on American society, both positive and negative. The paper also explores the social, economic, and political context of the era, showing how the new mass media both reflected and shaped the burgeoning mass culture of the time. * The rise of mass media in the 1920s * The impact of mass media on American society * The relationship between mass media and mass culture * Social and cultural changes in the 1920s * The role of media in shaping national identityChapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by outlining its purpose: to provide a comprehensive overview of the new mass media of the 1920s in the United States and their impact on the emergence of a new mass culture. It briefly introduces the social, economic, and political context of the era and previews the individual media forms to be examined. The chapter highlights the media's dual role: reflecting existing societal trends and actively shaping popular culture towards a more unified, albeit cosmopolitan, perspective. Modern Times - A New Culture Emerges: This chapter explores the significant social, economic, and cultural transformations of the 1920s. It contrasts the traditional, rural, and Puritan-influenced values of earlier eras with the burgeoning urban culture characterized by industrialization, immigration, and a shift in moral standards. The chapter details the rise of mass production and consumption, leading to a new mass culture fueled by advertising and the increasing accessibility of modern amenities like automobiles and entertainment. It also notes the disparity between the rapidly changing urban landscape and the slower pace of modernization in rural areas and among certain minority groups. This sets the context for understanding the role of mass media in bridging the gap between different segments of society. Print Journalism: This chapter analyzes the evolution of print journalism in the 1920s, starting with the rise of the penny press in the 1830s and its contribution to a more accessible and widely read press. It contrasts the early penny papers' emphasis on public appeal with the later development of "yellow journalism" and its sensationalist style. The chapter then examines the rise and fall of tabloids, emphasizing their targeted appeal to the lower classes through their concise format, sensationalist content, and accessible language and visual style. The chapter highlights the transition from the earlier relatively straightforward reporting to a more dramatic and sensation-driven approach designed to maximize readership.Keywords
Mass media, 1920s America, mass culture, print journalism, tabloids, magazines, radio broadcasting, motion pictures, social change, popular culture, advertising, censorship, urbanization, industrialization, immigration, American identity.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of 1920s Mass Media
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the emergence of mass media (tabloids, magazines, radio, and motion pictures) in the United States during the 1920s. It analyzes their individual impacts on American society, both positive and negative, and explores the social, economic, and political context of the era, demonstrating how these media reflected and shaped the burgeoning mass culture.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
The key themes include the rise of mass media in the 1920s; the impact of mass media on American society; the relationship between mass media and mass culture; social and cultural changes in the 1920s; and the role of media in shaping national identity.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents includes sections on: an Introduction; Modern Times - A New Culture Emerges; Print Journalism (covering the Penny Press, the rise and fall of tabloids, magazines, and advertising); Radio Broadcasting (including early experiments, the first radio stations, broadcasting companies, advertising and regulation, and radio's impact on society); and Motion Pictures (covering early development, silent movies, talking pictures, and censorship).
What is discussed in the Introduction chapter?
The Introduction outlines the paper's purpose: to provide a comprehensive overview of the new mass media of the 1920s and their impact on the emergence of a new mass culture. It introduces the social, economic, and political context of the era and previews the media forms to be examined, highlighting their dual role in reflecting societal trends and shaping popular culture.
What does the chapter "Modern Times - A New Culture Emerges" cover?
This chapter explores the social, economic, and cultural transformations of the 1920s, contrasting traditional values with the burgeoning urban culture. It details the rise of mass production and consumption, leading to a new mass culture, and notes the disparity between urban and rural modernization. This sets the context for understanding mass media's role in bridging societal gaps.
What aspects of Print Journalism are analyzed?
The Print Journalism chapter analyzes the evolution of print journalism, from the penny press to "yellow journalism" and tabloids. It examines the shift from straightforward reporting to a more sensationalist approach designed to maximize readership and discusses the targeted appeal of tabloids to the lower classes.
What are the key words associated with this document?
Key words include: Mass media, 1920s America, mass culture, print journalism, tabloids, magazines, radio broadcasting, motion pictures, social change, popular culture, advertising, censorship, urbanization, industrialization, immigration, and American identity.
What is the overall scope of the analysis?
The analysis provides a concise overview of the new mass media that emerged in the United States during the 1920s, examining their individual impact on American society and exploring the social, economic, and political context of the era. It shows how mass media both reflected and shaped the burgeoning mass culture of the time.
- Quote paper
- Rebekka Hahn (Author), 2008, Mass media in the 1920s, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/92556
