1920's Cultural Changes

As a period of wealth and prosperity, the Roaring Twenties represented a few of the main cultural and economical changes throughout America. This age received its name from the exuberant era ranging from 1918 to 1929. The second half of the decade became known as the “Golden Twenties.” Typified by roaring automobiles, industrial factories, jazz music, and loud crowded streets, the Roaring Twenties reflected an epoch of exorbitant revelry. The economy thrived and society gradually became more accepting of other cultures and influences. Although this time period expressed progress towards modern society, many did not approve of the adjustment. From this, the Ku Klux Klan, or the KKK, sprouted as well as the “cultural civil war.” The economical,
Called flappers, these new and “unladylike” women had more of an open and free sexuality. Characteristics included their famous bobbed hair, drinking, smoking, short skirts and dresses, and their youth. These liberated women openly displayed their disdain towards what was considered normal behavior during that age. The majority of the women did not actually live the flapper life, but adopted the new style. According to the 19th Amendment, women could now vote as of 1920 in the United States. Millions held administrative or service oriented work positions such as stenography, also known as white collar work. Birth control, such as the diaphragm, became much more accessible. As well as limiting the amount of conceived children, new technology also regulated the amount of housework that had to be done. Many did not feel comfortable with this new “mass culture,” which was much more provocative than the previous ones. For some, the Roaring Twenties brought more trouble than wealth.
Throughout this time period, the Volstead Act closed all bars, the literary Harlem Renaissance occurred, and sports figures, such as Babe Ruth, began to be seen as heroes. Rich in literature and medicine, this time period held many milestones. In 1921, Einstein was awarded his Nobel prize in physics and the Warner Bros. produced the first movie with sound, The Jazz Singer, in 1922. Walt Disney also created his first cartoon, Alice in Wonderland.
The “Cultural Civil War” essentially began when the KKK arose in places such as Indiana and Illinois. To some, the KKK represented the “return of values” that the new age continued to diminish. This group promoted anti-immigration and anti-communism. The “Red Scares” referred to the fear of communism rising. In the U.S., there were about 150,000 communists or anarchists or approximately 0.1% of the general population. This movement led to the National Origins Act of 1924, setting immigration quotas and favoritism. Prior to the height of the Roaring Twenties, the 18th Amendment banned alcohol manufacturization and sale in 1919 of any beverage or item with over 0.5% alcohol within its contents. In other words, the liquor trade went illegal. Prohibition was enacted to control the “unruly” immigrants, bolster the economy, and lessen the severity of social