Mr. Saccullo
8th grade Social Studies
DBQ on the Roaring Twenties
Historical Context
The Great War was over and America’s sons returned home having witnessed the horrors of war. The survivors brought tales of great battles, death, cabarets, new foods, dance and the wonderment of Paris with its grand boulevards. Upon their arrival, the soldiers were astonished to see that America too had been changed by the war. Women’s fashion, appearance and attitudes had changed as they rallied and protested for the right to vote. African Americans had moved to northern cities in great numbers, automobile filled the streets, nativists and the KKK looked with hatred towards immigrants, the government cracked down on radicals during a “Red Scare”, new inventions and mass culture captured people’s imaginations. The 1920’s have been called by many names “The Roaring Twenties”, “The Jazz Age”, and the “Age of Paranoia”. Whatever name you choose for the 1920’s it remains the decade when America came of age as an urban modern society.
Task
The 1920’s have been called by many names “The Roaring Twenties”, “The Jazz Age”, and the “Age of
Paranoia”.
Choose either the “Roaring Twenties” or the “Jazz Age” and explain the historical context and events that led to the rise of that name.
Compare and contrast your choice of either the “Roaring Twenties” or the “Jazz Age” to the events of the 1920s that gave rise to what has become known as the “Age of Paranoia”.
You may use any examples from your study or U.S. history concerning the 1920’s. Some suggestions you may wish to consider include:
The Roaring Twenties can include references to the roaring economy, the stock market boom, the boom in economic production, increase in consumer spending, the impact of the automobile on the economy and society, or any other examples you find relevant.
The Jazz Age can include references to new fads and fashions (flappers), Jazz music, The
Harlem Renaissance, new