1900s Michelle Jaeckel Cary Poe Kathryn Leighton
Theme The 1900s was a decade characterized by transitions. Many of the writings published during this decade reflected upon the previous century. Many of the new inventions and new elements of popular culture utilized newly discovered technologies, which have since been modified and are still in use today.
Popular Entertainment During the 1900s, most of the entertainment was sheet music played by instruments in their own home, books and the radio. The first World Series, Boston vs. Pittsburgh, was held in 1903. Then, the Jukebox is invented in 1905 with only 24 songs. An animated cartoon was created in 1906.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum This children s novel was later the inspiration for the highly acclaimed movie about Dorothy and in the Land of Oz. It was originally published in 1900. Later reprints were published under the simplified name The Wizard of Oz, which also inspired the 1939 movie of the same name.
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington Up From Slavery is Booker T. Washington s autobiography, which outlines his life from life as a slave during childhood to overcoming obstacles to attend Hampton University. His autobiography has proven throughout history to be inspirational to people of all races as a reflection of how one can overcome all obstacles to accomplish anything that they put their mind to.
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois The Souls of Black Folk is considered the cornerstone of any study of Sociology and African American literary history. The book contains several essays on race and being African American in American society.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London The Call of the Wild is about a dog named Buck and his journey from being a domesticated dog to serving as a sled dog in the Yukon during the Gold Rush. It is truly reflective of how an author s imagination can create a story full of dark tones.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair The Jungle is a novel about the corruption of the meat packing industry in American during the early 20 th century. It depicts the horrors of factory life, how poverty deeply affected Americans, and the corruption that resulted from wage slavery.
Fads of 1900 Between 1900 and 1901, Frank Lloyd Wright completed four houses which have since been considered the onset of the Prairie Style. The houses are credited with being the first examples of the open plan. Indoor toilets and bathtubs were also introduced. The fashion of the decade was formal and romantic.
Fashion of the 1900 s Fashion in the 1900 s was quite simple as the mother was in charge of making most of the clothing. Women typically wore long skirts with high buttoned shoes. Women of this era also wore whale bone corsets, and hats with festive plumage and decorations. Men wore dark heavy suits. The dress code of this time period was very conservative.
Snow in New York by Robert Henri The beginning of the 20 th century saw the emergence of the realist artistic movement, which was best known for portraying scenes of daily New York Life, especially the lives of the poor. Henri s painting portrays ordinary brownstone apartments buildings, and along the street the use of color and pattern shows where walkers likely trudged through the snow in order to go about their lives.
Teddy Roosevelt Quote "Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground. - President Theodore Roosevelt at The Groton School in 1904 Much of the 1900s was about scientific advancement. Although this time period was post Industrial Revolution, there were many advancements, most notably involving the Wright Brothers and the first flight and Henry Ford and the introduction of the first automobile. Although witnessing and hearing about these advancements was exciting and many were inspired to find their own advancements of the time, President Roosevelt reminded students at The Groton School in Massachusetts that it is just as important to be grounded in the present. Although it is wishful thinking to want to come with the latest and greatest, it is just as important to focus on the here and now.
26 th President Theodore Roosevelt Teddy Roosevelt was elected President of the United States on September 14, 1901. He became president after President McKinley died after being shot on September 6, 1901. At age 42 President Roosevelt became the youngest man to be elected president.
27 th President William H. Taft President Taft was the 27 th President of the United States. After his presidency he was the 10 th Chief of Justice of the United States. He is the only person to hold both of these offices. Taft helped improve the postal service and helped passed the 16 th amendment. He is also remembered as the heaviest president and the last president to sport facial hair.
Susan B. Anthony Susan B. Anthony was a important American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19 th century women s suffrage into the United States. Susan B. Anthony died fourteen years before the passage of the 19 th Amendment. She was honored by being the first woman to be pictured on an United States one dollar coin.
Three Great Inventors of the 1900 s Henry Ford founds Ford Motor Co. and makes the first Model T for $850. Orville and Wilbur Wright take the first test flight in their plane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. George Eastman makes first portable camera that's affordable and open to the public.
Businesses and Industries In 1903, Milton Snaveley Hershey began construction of a new plant in Derry Church, Pennsylvania. Hershey's products dominated the chocolate candy and beverage industry by making milk chocolate affordable for the middle class. In 1901, J.P. Morgan creates the United States Steel Co., which became the first $1 billion corporation in the world. General Motors Company acquired four motor vehicle firms; Buick, Cadillac, Oakland (later Pontiac), and Oldsmobile in addition and several parts manufacturers in 1908.
Advances in Science or Humanities At the University of Chicago laboratory school, the first elementary school was founded by John Dewey. In December 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Brothers had their first successful flights. The most important development in transportation was the rise of the gas powered automobile and Ford s Model T. The NAACP is founded in New York in 1909 by prominent black and white intellectuals and led by W.E.B. Du Bois.
Advances in Mass Communications There were many advances in mass communications during this decade. 1901 Electric typewriter is invented 1902 The U.S. Navy installs the first radio telephone aboard ships 1904 The answering machine is invented 1909 A radio S.O.S. saves 1,700 lives after ships collide
Cuban Independence from the US The Spanish-American War was a conflict of interests between Spain and the United States. Cuba had been regarded as a Spanish province, and Americans were concerned about the Spanish presence in Cuba due to its close proximity to the Florida coast. Americans became most concerned about the Spanish presence in Cuba after the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898. Spain eventually gave up all territorial rights in Cuba in the signing of Treaty of Paris, which marked the beginning of American expansion and dominance over Cuba. However, Cubans were unhappy and fought for self-regulation. US military rule over Cuba lasted until 1902 when Cuba was finally granted independence.
Philosophers The Souls of Black Folk W. E. B. DuBois, To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships. There were many new advances and innovations, however they were only available to those who could afford them.
Reflection The decade of the 1900s provided many of the building blocks for which American society still stands upon today. Ford, General Motors, US Steele, and Hershey are still in operation today. Many of the advances in popular culture and mass communication are used in a revamped form today. Social and political leaders of the decade made progress during their times, but their legacy still lives on today, which are reflected in our society s and government s practices and decisions.