One aspect of war that many don’t care to think or speak about is the toll it takes on the everyday lives of those left behind when the soldiers go away. The men who were fortunate enough to survive World War I returned home to find the women in their lives were not so dependant and feeble. The ability of the women of America to take …show more content…
At the time, immigration was starting to be regulated, and African Americans were flooding into northern cities at extremely high rates (leading to the Harlem Renaissance). The “Roaring Twenties” was alive and well, and the people of the United States were living in wild excess. Cars became more affordable with Henry Ford’s introduction of the assembly line, and there was a radio in nearly every home, allowing people to explore soap operas, comedy shows, sports, and music. Americans were smitten with their “heroes”. The likes of Babe Ruth, Bill Tilden, and Charles Lindbergh were the objects of attention for the average person. Movies were also a large influence, even though they were still silent films until 1927.
World War I brought with it an era of economic prosperity, but shortly after the Roaring Twenties, a massive economic depression took place. This economic catastrophe, known as the “Great Depression,” crippled the country and caused many Americans to become homeless and fall into poverty. By 1933, around a quarter of the country was unemployed. The downtrodden turned to soup kitchens and migrant camps for food and shelter; life was dreary and miserable.
The events of the modern period still influence the world we live in today. The social ideas and cultural movements that characterized the period influence the current society and everyday life. This period will always be remembered as a pivotal time