The 1920s is an era remembered as the “Roaring Twenties”. The age of mass marketing had begun. With a model T in every driveway and the stock market soaring, the 1920s made more than a few men millionaires. The 1920s will always be remembered for its speakeasies, Babe Ruth, Amos and Andy, Charles Lindbergh, and the flapper. This must have been a very exciting time to be alive, without the knowledge of what was to come, to only live for today. The image of a cavalier nation with everyone visiting speakeasies and dancing the Charleston gives way to the 1930s. The 1930s was a decade of heart wrenching poverty, the Dust Bowl of the American south west and FDR’s New Deal.…
The Roaring Twenties is traditionally viewed as an era of great economic prosperity driven by the introduction of a wide array of new consumer goods. The North American economy, particularly the economy of the US, transitioned from a wartime economy to a peacetime economy; the economy subsequently boomed. The United States augmented its standing as the richest country in the world, its industry aligned to mass production and its society acculturated into consumerism. In Europe, the economy did not start to flourish until 1924.…
The 1920 's were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and conservative values on the other. In fact, some historians refer to the twenties as the first decade of the twentieth century. What accounts for this observation? How did some people challenge those changes?A major fact that contributes to the twenties being seen as the first decade of the twentieth century is that modern attitudes about labor and consumption began to develop. The system of Fordism, or mass production, involved the usage of interchangeable parts and electric power so that production could be as fast as possible. Conveyor belts were employed to move subassemblies past workers who tightened a few bolts or installed one part. This assembly line method led to a major increase in output. The managers at the factories were very concerned with the speed of production and did everything in their power to ensure that it was very fast. Workers were laboring under more intense supervision compared to previous years. They were being encouraged to work more efficiently. For example, in textile factories there was a higher quota of looms that the workers had to meet. Less satisfying work accompanied mass production. It was monotonous and required little to no skill. These workers sought pleasure through the consumption of goods and services,…
Changing attitudes in the 1920’s came about through progressivism, and the divide between country and urban life. Women were becoming more and more independent. Depression was beginning to sink its claws into the American economy first by way of rural towns and farms who felt the blow not with the stock market crash in 1929, but with the decline of agricultural prices in 1920. Most rural Americans still held to old traditions, and found how life was in the city offending to their beliefs and customs. It helped spur the KKK into action again. This time however, they weren’t just anti-black, they were pretty much anti everything except native-born protestant white citizens. They dominated several state governments for a time. During the 20’s…
The term ‘roaring 20's’ is an appropriate description of the 1920's in America. The popular image is of a gin-soaked, jazz-syncopated, frivolous time. During this time period, the country was going through several changes. These changes include positive and negative changes in the country. America during this time had great economic development, expanding cities, increasing luxuries, inventions; women had more rights, the entertainment industry grew and much more. People from coast to coast bought the same goods, listened to the same music, did the same dances and even used the same slang (History Channel). F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American writer and one of the main voices of the Lost Generation. Fitzgerald…
Before 1920 a few women attended seminary or an academy for women to learn and be educated but women were not allowed to attend universities and college campuses; this was for men only and women believed they too could benefit from obtaining a degree and becoming part of the work force, helping their families and being able to move up the ladder economically. This was considered by many women as the beginning of a long fight to establish their rights and place in the world. Women believed they deserved the same opportunities as men in regards to education. Women for years attended the seminary and academies that they were allowed but continually fought to attend a college or university, even fighting to attend co-educational colleges with men; this was an upward climb but women were determined to become part of society and their families as equals.…
The tension between old and new was relevant in the social lives of Americans mainly…
The 1920’s was a decade full of many things becoming popular, such as dancing, sports, radio, new fashion styles, and also someone making history by flying across the Atlantic Ocean. The 1920’s was a prosperous (successful) decade. The 1920’s was also an unprosperous (unsuccessful) decade. Based on article 10, it shows that the 1920’s was a prosperous decade that proved to show that America has a lot to look forward to in the future. Also based on article 5, it shows that the 1920’s was an unprosperous decade, in which America did not show any improvements or became happier.…
In the 1920s, there was a new sense of freedom after World War One. Popular culture became very relevant to almost every citizen in this period of time because they were constantly mulling over the high life. Technology became readily available for ordinary citizens. The 1920s had a burst of popular culture, movies became popular, radios were considered the device that, “knitted the nation together,” Women became more proactive in getting low paying jobs. Modeling also became very popular for publication of products. This era was very progressive in the working movement, a lot was…
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,…
Before World War II no one believed women had a place in the military, yet women overcame this and helped the United States reach victory. Women felt they needed and wanted to get involved in the war instead of sitting at home, taking care of the children, cooking dinner, and cleaning the house. Women joined military support organizations like the WACs, the WAVES and the WASPs. These kinds of organizations contributed immensely toward the United States war effort. Women felt that if men could serve in the war, they could, too. Women relieved men of certain jobs so the men could go fight in the war. Women worked hard and took the men’s places, but they could not fight or get close to battle. Women’s roles in the war changed society, and lasted long after the United States declared victory.…
The title the “Roaring Twenties” is an accurate expression to describe the experience of the 1920’s of most Canadians, because of the experience that women had, the great economic times, and joyful social life.…
Sinclair Lewis was a prominent literary figure during the 1920s, for he wrote about the critical views of the American middle class during the controversial time of World War II. He confronted the roles of women, race, and other powerless people in the society. He acknowledged the problems of America by giving his characters and settings universality that allowed a small town to represent all of America. Sinclair Lewis was set apart from other writers due to his universal writing, concentration of critical issues, and his unstructured way of writing. He, “ Was the conscience of his generation and he could well serve as the conscience of our own. His analysis of the America of the 1920s holds true for the America of today. His prophecies have become our truths and his fears our most crucial problems,” (Sinclair Lewis). Although his writing and views were…
In Bartow, FL, Ossian Sweet finished his education in the eighth grade. “When the curriculum was completed at the end of eighth grade, the children had nowhere to go but the fields and the phosphate mines.” (64) Education during the 1920’s for many African-American families was not crucial to many blacks. Black children, raised in southern homes, understood the expectations of their family; children must work. Families’ brave enough to send their child away for a better education was a sacrifice to their household. Education for blacks was also unimportant to the white community. Subsequently, after eighth grade, whites went on to high school. By not allowing black children to attend their schools guaranteed their children would not be sitting…
The era between 1920 and 1940 was filled with a multitude of challenges from wars, governmental reforms, to the great stock market crash. But within these difficult times, was born several significant inventions that would change the way of life for all Americans. Among those of most importance were that of the automobile, the radio and electricity.…