Ch 19: STAAR US History: Arts & Culture
About This Chapter
STAAR US History: Arts & Culture - Chapter Summary
The short lessons in this chapter will help you remember arts and culture concepts like the definition of the Tin Pan Alley, history of country and western music, characteristics of the beat generation as well as others for the STAAR U.S. History exam. Short lesson quizzes can help you practice answering questions close to the ones you may see on exam day. In addition to the subjects listed above, this chapter includes these topics:
- City life in 1920s America
- American art and literature of the 1920s
- Artists and poets of the Harlem Renaissance
- Types of art and culture since 1945
- The Chicano mural movement
- Definition of cultural diffusion
Print the worksheets to answer questions on the go. If you have any questions about the lessons or quizzes, send them to the instructors. Don't forget this chapter is mobile-friendly, so you can study anywhere you'd like.

1. 1920s American Culture: City Life & Values
The 1920s was a time of enormous cultural change. In this lesson, we will examine urban culture during the 1920s. We will compare urban values with those of rural locations and see how urban culture became a symbol of the decade as a whole.

2. American Art, Pop Culture & Literature of the 1920s
In this lesson, we will examine the art, literature and popular culture associated with the 1920s. We will identify several key terms and figures related to the culture of the period, and understand them in historical context.

3. Art and Culture of the Harlem Renaissance: Artists, Poets, Authors & Music
In this lesson, we will learn about an artistic and intellectual movement called the Harlem Renaissance. We will identify the major figures associated with the movement and identify their contributions.

4. Tin Pan Alley: Definition, History & Composers
Tin Pan Alley was the music publishing hub in New York City at the turn of the 20th century, and it provided economic security and fame for many of America's greatest composers. Read more about the history of Tin Pan Alley below.

5. Art & Culture Since 1945: Types & Artists
In this lesson, we explore the art and culture of post-World War II Western society, from the fledgling television programming to the disparate directions of 20th-century art.

6. Chicano Mural Movement: Description, Leaders & Impact
The Chicano mural movement had important impacts when it first appeared, and has continued to shape American art and communities. In this lesson we'll look at this style and see what it means to America.

7. The Beat Generation: Characteristics of Beat Poetry
It's a movement that began with a howl, and it had a major impact on both poetry and culture in America. In this lesson, we'll cover the Beat Generation and review the defining characteristics of their style.

8. Country & Western Music: History & Artists
Folk, Hillbilly, Honky-Tonk; these terms are synonymous with the early years of Country & Western music in the public imagination. This lesson looks at the beginning of the genre in the 1920s through the heyday of the class country sound in the 1960s.

9. Cultural Diffusion: Definition, Expansion & Popular Cultures
In this lesson, we'll use the examples of viral videos, hip hop, and yoga to explore how culture is diffused and expanded. We'll also look at how the Internet impacts our understanding of popular culture.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the STAAR U.S. History: Test Prep & Practice course
- STAAR US History: Independence & the Founding Fathers
- STAAR US History: Historical Eras & Significant Events (1877 to Present)
- STAAR US History: Political, Economic & Social Change (1877-1898)
- STAAR US History: United States as a World Power (1898-1920)
- STAAR US History: World War I
- STAAR US History: Early 20th Century Reform & Third-Party Movements
- STAAR US History: Individuals & Social Change During the 1920s
- STAAR US History: World War II
- STAAR US History: Cold War & the United States
- STAAR US History: The Vietnam War
- STAAR US History: The Civil Rights Movement
- STAAR US History: Civil Rights Legislation
- STAAR US History: Role of US in the World (1970-1990)
- STAAR US History: Ronald Reagan & the Rise of Conservatism
- STAAR US History: Foreign Policy & the Gulf War
- STAAR US History: Geographic Factors & Events
- STAAR US History: Migration, Immigration & American Society
- STAAR US History: Population Growth & Environmental Concerns
- STAAR US History: People Contributing to National Identity
- STAAR US History: Changing Role of the Government
- STAAR US History: Domestic & Global Accountability in Government
- STAAR US History: Government Branches & Checks & Balances
- STAAR US History: Landmark Supreme Court Cases
- STAAR US History: Core Values & the Democratic Process
- STAAR US History: Major Amendments to the US Constitution
- STAAR US History: Civic Participation & Leadership
- STAAR US History: Legislation & Economic Growth (1870-1920)
- STAAR US History: Economic Development Between WWI & WWII
- STAAR US History: Economic Effects of World War II & the Cold War
- STAAR US History: Economic Interdependence in the 21st Century
- STAAR US History: Impact of Science & Technology on Economic Development
- STAAR US History: Research & Analyzing Information
- STAAR US History: Critical Thinking & Writing
- About the STARR Tests
- STAAR U.S. History Flashcards