Week 8: The modern and conservative 1920s

The 20's was definitely the decade for change. Many people owned cars, telephones, and radios for the first time. New ways to buy cars, clothing, and appliances surfaced. Americans in the 1920's were the first to try these new modernized appliances and correct fitting clothing. This was time filled with new dances, new kinds of clothes, and some of the most imaginative art and writing ever produced.

Even with all of these advancements the twenties were still a conservative time in America. Conservatives strongly resisted modernization. Prohibition, which is the legal prevention of manufacturing, selling, and transporting alcoholic beverages, was a result of their resistance. They wanted to cut off alcohol consumption. The result of this was a rise in organized crime. Among dealing with this new rise in organized crime they had to deal with resurgence of the KKK in the Northern and Western areas. Not only did they target blacks but Catholics and Jews as well.

Women's liberation in the 1920's played a huge role in the history of women's rights and equality. I think it's great how the passing of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, eventually led to greater economic independence. Although women weren't the only ones gaining more freedom. With mass production and labor saving devices gave Americans more time for leisure, allowing them to enjoy a taste of freedom because of the introduction of mass produced, cheap automobiles that changed transportation in America forever. Its arguable that all of the changes in American society in the 1920's helped lead individuals to their idea of the "American Dream.", which for most was the idea of acquiring material things and having equal and fair opportunities.

Bibliography:

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3396

https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft5v19n9w0&chunk.id=d0e58

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/history-2005/war-prosperity-and-depression/the-booming-1920s.php

Week 7 reflection: Woman's suffrage

Back in the 19th century it was not only frowned upon to be a non-white, but also a woman. It didn't matter if you were white, black, or orange, simple rights were just not afforded to us. A non-married woman could not purchase property, file suits, or sit on juries. Even more importantly, women could not pursue an education, profession, or were even allowed divorces. But even then, a married woman had to take beatings from her husband if that was the type of man she married, as well as submit to their husband's sexual needs even if they were not comfortable. Women also had no control over their own bodies. Women were not allowed birth control or abortions.

It's sad to say but even today, we are suppressed in many ways. The most evident way that I have noticed is the workplace. Women not only don't make as much as men, but are overlooked and second to a man for positions. There are men who make more than the women and get promoted faster, even though they don't know what they're doing. Yes, we are able to vote, own property, hold jobs, and etc. I truly thank God that if we are beat by our husbands, we can not only leave them but send them to jail where they belong for putting their hands on us. Not only that, but we are offered so many kinds of contraceptives and birth controls. Besides abstinence, we have different options that best fit our comfort as well as health needs. Despite, the current Supreme Court actually being against abortions, they have not changed that law yet and we are still afforded the right to choose if we want to be a parent.

I think that the next few years will have ups and downs for women, but if we can create life we can do anything.

Bibliography

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=11&smtID=2

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/01/19/womens-march-back-amid-divisions-350-sister-marches-set/2623810002/

https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/the-fight-for-womens-suffrage