Effects Of The 1920's

Arriving with a “roar” after a horrific time in civilization; World War I, the twenties sparked a new America. The decade was one of risk, change, great wealth and fortune which ultimately fueled a growing economy. This period was also wrought with lawlessness that saw the emergence of gangs who ran cities. That said, the glorified lives of Americans were almost too good to be true. It was an era that brought about the first women’s liberation movement giving women a new independence. Unwelcomingly prohibition was enacted so that brought upon an open rebellion against the law. The jazz age erupted with a bang promoting some of America’s greatest writers, musicians, and artists. Societies youth drifted further from the old generational ways
With the emergence of women’s fight for rights, the American women demanded the same employment opportunities as men including the right to vote. The flapper was created to mock the traditional behavior forced upon women by wearing short skirts, make up, a short bob, and smoking cigarettes (refer to appendix). The fashion represented this freedom they felt by leaving behind the old look of earlier generations. With this new mindset came recklessness and rebellion. Young people were being associated with things like wild parties, illicit drinking, roadhouses, and promiscuous behavior which shocked the older generation. At the sametime, modernists began to reject traditionalist values moderating the old image of society to this new rebellious time. While still fighting the battle for rights, the government decided to implement prohibition in 1919. Opposed by most Americans, this led to a rise in crime, when people disobeyed the law and illegally smuggled alcohol. Speakeasies sprung up and were very popular giving people a place to have fun and let loose. They were underground bars that sold alcohol illegally. In addition to this illegal actions, gangs played a big part in the 1920’s. The organized groups actually ran the speakeasies, establishing placed in all the major cities. Capable of manipulating police and policies, they
Innovations and technological advancements were coming to the market constantly. Consumers were attracted to newer products rather than older products. People scrambled to keep up with the new innovations and technology being developed. They thought that it was completely acceptable to go into debt because it was holding up the standard of American life. Companies of big-ticket items established power in the economy urging consumers to buy their items on credit. Meanwhile, mass media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, and radio promoted the use of credit which helped consumers ease their fear of going into debt. It was a society based on spending and borrowing. “About 60 percent of all furniture and 75 percent of all radios were purchased on installment plans” (The Consumer Economy). This growth of purchases on credit increase mass production which fueled consumers to buy even more products as new ones developed. Home appliances became affordable; ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, radios, and telephones all came into