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
Hey Martha,
ReplyDeleteit was hard reading the rest of your post but i did like the beginning and it was straight to the point on how the 20's were a great time for change.
Hey Martha! For some reason it was difficult to read parts of your post but overall nice summary! I like how you were able to put all of the necessary information into a couple of sentences.
ReplyDeleteHey Martha! Great post! did a great job of getting straight to the point and explain your perspective on this era! it was a bit tricky trying to physically read your post, think theres a minor issue with the highlighting or something, im not sure
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