Roaring 20s Research Paper

A year after World War I, Americans wanted to isolate themselves from the rest of the world and have a good time enjoying life. The US saw the dawn of the “ roaring 20s”, where there was opportunity for everyone. The economy boomed and investors took a chance and making money in the stock market. Americans became a consuming society. The start of prohibition created a wave of illegal clubs called speakeasies, that were controlled by organized crime. Although hate groups, like the KKK, undermined minorities, the 20s was the source of booming cities, New inventions, and tests on roles that made the 20s the best of times. As cities boomed in the “roaring 20s” it was the first time ever in history more people lived in the cities than rural parts of the country. The glamorous nightlife of cities attracted more people than ever. People would come from all over to enjoy jazz at the cotton club, the most popular club in Harlem to hear Louis Armstrong or Duke Ellington. Al Jolson’s, “the jazz singer”, was the first movie to ever be made with sound in 1927. Before there were only silent films which were dominated by Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino. Also, people enjoyed illegal clubs called, speakeasies, which allowed
people to drink and party during prohibition. Although nightlife and job opportunities made cities the land of opportunity. Organized crime families and hate groups, like the KKK, tried to contain it and make it work for themselves. When prohibition started in the 1920s because of the 18th amendment, monsters created speakeasies. With their lust for money and power, the streets became a war zone. Gang violence for the control of alcohol, lost control and resulted in death. Hate groups tried to segregate America from the minorities like blacks or other nationalities. With a record high, The KKK reached over 4 million members in the 20s. One of their attempts was a eugenics movement, attempting to improve the genetics of the population by restricting people from being involved with someone of a different nationality or race. With different events taking place that caused people to be driven by their own lust for power and money, the cities were an encouraging sign of opportunity in the 1920s. Not only did the nightlife of cities drive people to be part of this new culture but inventions revolutionized modern civilization. The vacuum cleaner, The dishwasher, the refrigerator all survive the era and make our life simpler than ever today. In the 1920s, The radio was invented. It modernized communication when the first radio show, KDKA, was aired in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. If birthed one the most reliable sources of communication ever invented. As all inventions are intended to improve the lives of people, some took a turn for the worst. The introduction of credit caused many families to go into debt. People would constantly buy things and since it had to be paid back later with interest, many people had to surrender their homes and cars to relieve their debts. While some were affected by credit, inventions of the 1920s played a vital role in the creation of the modern world. Lastly, 20s were a decade of attempting to reset the standard of expectations.
Women were the largest factors in this revolution. When earning the right to vote in 1920, through the 19th amendment, Women began to change. Women became known as flappers. Flappers would cut their hair very short, dress provocatively, began to smoke and drink, and started wearing makeup. These revisions in their appearance broke boundaries, and set a new precedent on women's actions. Even though they broke through the confines of the 20s, women still lived in a society dominated by males. Women and other minorities still didn't have equal opportunity, but tried to show that they are capable and willing. Women showed the 20s, that it was the ideal opportunity for
change. With booming cities, advanced technology, and broken gender roles, “ The roaring 20s” was the time for everyone. It began the life that is the 21st-century and improve the lives of the people who witnessed the change. Making the 20s, the best of times for everyone.