The Jazz Age

The Jazz Age was a defining point in the history of America. This point in time defined the clear division between the older and younger generations of America. The Jazz Age was more than just a time period but a cultural movement. Although African-Americans receive credit for the introduction of this music into America, it had quickly expanded to the white middle class and further erupted from there. The introduction of this new style of music resulted in the younger generation of America at the time to become rebellious and less inclined to follow in their ancestors footsteps culture wise (Boundless). Jazz music, in its beginnings, was most often played in cities such as New York, Chicago, and New Orleans. Each city boasted its own unique
sound while still being categorized as Jazz. All of these unique sounds and styles has derived from New Orleans. Chicago’s style was known as “New Orleans jazz” but this was not very accurate since Chicago had a much more peaceful less aggressive sound to it (Jazzupriver).
“New York and Chicago were the hotbeds for Jazz” (Boundless). Those two cities flourished due to many Jazz musicians running off to them from New Orleans. Much of the jazz music was broadcasted over the radio resulting in a much larger expansion of the genre. Many classical artists feared jazz becoming mainstream because that would hurt the success and popularity of classical music. The 1920s though was taken over by Jazz because many dances, such as the Charleston, were developed, resulting in more entertainment for this generation (Boundless). Americans, more so the younger generations, had their lives drastically changed by the Jazz Age.
There was a large increase in teens participating in rebellious activity. The rebellious culture was most followed by young women since the 19th amendment had given them the right to vote. Along with that the 18th amendment introduced prohibition which was a huge mistake. Speakeasies were established to sell illegal alcohol, “these speak-easies would bring these [young women] to come and drink alcohol illegally” (Stage). The rebellious young women in this time period were also called flappers due to their very open lifestyles. The young women would dress very provocatively unlike the older generations of America. They were simply the voice of the 1920s, influencing the culture of the America of
today.
The Jazz Age was not all about flappers and music though.
In fact, prohibition created more than just rebellion in young women. The era of gangsters “can ultimately be traced back to the 18th amendment” (Gangsters). Men like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano had originated from this age. These men, as well as many others, took tremendous advantage of prohibition by “making money through the manipulation of the poor, the rich, and everyone in between” (Gangsters). Al Capone was notorious for working under Chicago’s Johnny Torrio. Capone was given orders to eliminate rival gangs and convince speakeasies to purchase their alcohol through Torrio (Trueman). This is what caused such violence between gangs. Their main goal was to make money through the illegal distribution of alcohol and would not let anybody in their way. Some, like Al Capone, were very successful at this feat. Due to Torrio’s death, Capone was now the leader of the “business”. The operation of the business was earning Capone “$60 million a year in alcohol sales alone” (Trueman). With money like that, many rivalries will undoubtedly come into effect resulting in an abundance of violence. Remember, gangs and violence did not appear out of nowhere, they were introduced through prohibition which was later repealed in the last quarter of
1933.
The Jazz Age brought to America music, rebellious young men and women, gangsters, but also the inflation in the popularity of baseball. The 1920s were also dominated by baseball, this is when the sport became known as “the national pastime” (Baseball in America). The most important aspect of the sport back then though, was the man Babe Ruth. “He had led the New York Yankees to several World Series titles and became a national hero” (Baseball in America). Due to Babe Ruth baseball was loved by, for the most part, the entire country. Before the 1920s and Babe ruth, the sport was not nearly as popular. “Attendance in the 1920s jumped 50% over the 1910s” that is how substantial this man was to the sport as well as the decade. Profit was made among all teams at the time since more people began attending games. This resulted in more money for owners, players, etc. The sport of baseball is just another reason of why the 1920s is celebrated to such an extent.
The Jazz Age was a major time period in the history of America. The economy was booming at this point and it was all about entertainment for the American people. Music, rebellious young men and women, gangsters, and baseball are all large things to come out of the 1920s. Americans were at the peak of their happiness at this point, there was so much to celebrate with the economy booming and everybody living life to the fullest, especially the young generations. The culture of America was forever changed from traditional peaceful American values to outgoing, rebellious, and even violent actions. Everything in America today was influenced in one way or another by the Jazz Age. Whether it is music or the way Americans dress, it can all very effectively be traced back to the 1920s, the most influential time period.