1900s PDF Free Download
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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
20th 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 20th
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
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.
"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
26th 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.
27th President William H. Taft
President Taft was the 27th
President of the United States.
After his presidency he was the
10th 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 16th
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 19th
century women’s suffrage
into the United States .
Susan B. Anthony died
fourteen years before the
passage of the 19th
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.
