The 1920s transformations greatly affected the American society. There was a dramatic social change and great economic growth in the 1920s that was made possible by the technological revolution. Productivity rose by more than sixty percent and the mass culture’s influence contributed to the progress and advancement of technology and goods. The 1920s was a time of culture wars and an age of incredible affluence and expansion of human rights. Although there were many aspects of this culture that broke away from the moral and manners of the Victorian era, in some ways this era was also traditional and conservative. Some issues during this era, known as the “roaring twenties” or the age of wonderful nonsense, like the “new woman”, the …show more content…
Women were now seeking a higher education and a career and were involved in organized unions, suffrage, helping the urban poor and founded the settlement houses. The WWI made way for the economic boom of the 1920s and was meant to make the world safe for democracy. The “new negro” was an African American that did not want to quietly submit to the segregation laws. The “new negro” movement was founded by Hubert Harrison in 1917.There was a newfound sense of optimism and opportunity for some in the African American community during the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that contributed to the society through its arts, music, literature, and poetry. Many rights of African Americans were violated during this period because of the Jim Crow laws but this “jazz age” period also brought light on ideas of freedom and a break away from the conservatives and traditionalists. Through music and more, this period in some ways allowed for mixed races and gave hope to the “new negro” who was self determined to end the racial discrimination that was preventing them from achieving their goals because of their social status and race. The Ku Klux Klan, all white Christian group, was considered far-right. This extremist group that is anti-African American, anti-Semitic, anti- immigration and anti-Catholic, had expressed themselves through acts of violence and terrorism. Lynching was a form of violence that was used by mobs used for justice without a trail.
As a nation coming out of a devastating war, America faced many changes in the 1920s. It was a decade of growth and improvements. As immigrants fled from Europe, the economy improved, and new machines offered convenience and luxury from the kitchen to the streets. However, with all change comes opposition. The 1920s revealed a conflict between traditional America and the new attitude and lifestyle through the changing role of women, continued dominance of Christian values, and racism.
The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great change and a time of powerful enthusiasm in many areas of society. The world had just finished the biggest war in history, the First World War, and the United States was left almost unharmed by the war. The United States was able to experience a decade of peace and success following the war. During this decade, America became the wealthiest country in the world (Trueman, 2000). The people in the United States went through a colorful period during the twenties. However, at the same time the 1920s was also a very rebellious and difficult time for many. The culture of the 1920s has influenced the culture of America’s society today.
‘The 1920’s was a decade of reform in almost every aspect of society. Things were becoming modernized, and despite many objections to progression, Women’s rights to new music genres and to sports being better than ever, and new cars such as the model t being in production. The 1920s brought alot of high social and cultural trends. By the end of the decade there was almost one car per family in the united states.s and comportment, the new consumer’s society, the Harlem Renaissance and the new principles of this decade paved the road for Henry Ford’s new Model T, and a whole new America’(Weinberg). The 1920s was a good decade for people back then.with everthing to new music genre and to sports being
The 1920s were a time of advancement and prosperity in America. The end of the first world war caused America’s economy to boom resulting in a large increase in industrial output and credit. In addition to this, the invention of the assembly line made the automobile much easier to produce making it possible for most middle class families in the United States to be able to afford one which changed the concept of transportation. Modern advertising caused Americans to desire stuff that they didn’t necessarily need. Working conditions at this time were still poor but there were major improvements from the way it was at the beginning of the century. Due to welfare capitalism workers were much less inclined to strike which also helped the booming
After the war, the American people made the change from "old" ways to "new" ways. Many factors, such as new technology, fundamentalism, new looks and church led to tension between the old and the new. The 1920s were a time of conflicting viewpoints between traditional behaviors and new and changing attitudes.
The 1920s are often referred to as “The Roaring 1920s” because it was a decade of prosperity. Although they were living on false notions, they were living among wild bootleggers and gangsters, flappers, hot jazz, marathon dancers, and in a decade of dissipation. These were modern times and during so many social and economic changes they were able to have more time for leisure and travel (Digital History: The 1920s – An Overview). Some of the major events of the decade that helped give the 1920s this nickname was the rise of inventions such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and toasters, mass entertainment, and half of Americans owning automobiles (John Green Video). There was also a change in the “revolution in morals and manners” that played a big part of how culture was perceived (Digital History: The 1920s – An Overview).
The 1920’s was a great and important decade for the United States. After World War I, the United States went through events and changes that, overall, made the United States a much better place to live. New advances in technology and industry improved American life in more ways than just one. Americans had better wages during this time, more leisure time, and overall, had a better life than ever before. In addition, the 1920’s advocated social and cultural change as well. During this time period, the United States did not return to Normalcy, and instead developed attitudes that changed the life of the people of the United States forever thanks to social changes, cultural changes and changes in technology.
The influence of 1920 mass culture deserves some consideration in the shaping of the country although the commercial growth of the 1920s did not really Americanize working- class Chicagoans as deeply and as quickly as one would think. It is quite evident that mass culture by itself did not actually modernized American society in the1920s; it was more how mass culture was consumed that really had the greatest impact on ethnic workers. Despite many Americans changing the way they purchased goods and services, nowhere was that change more evident than in the middle class communities. On the contrary workers from the manufacturing sectors did not benefit equally from the growing wealth during the 1920s. The decade had failed to remove economic uncertainty with unemployment remaining high and the fear of not finding a job or losing a job forcing workers to focus on economic security rather than spending.
Life in America dramatically changed during the decade of the 1920s, which marks a turning point in American history. Among these changes included the creation of new laws, which controlled major aspects of society. To continue, not only did the creation of these new laws contribute to the dramatic changes of life in America, but the changes in music, the roles and views of women in society, and entertainment had a big impact, as well. As a result, everyone living during this time period was affected in one way or another. The wide range of changes that took place in America’s society during the 1920s, has ultimately made this decade notorious for influencing culture in America because of the “anything goes” attitude the people developed.
The 1920s was a time of change. It was the first time that more people lived in the cities rather than on farms, and the cities kept getting bigger. Women were getting more rights as well as various everyday freedoms. People from coast to coast could actually listen to the same music and do the same dance. And finally there was the change in usable technology.
American Society changed during the "Roaring Twenties" because of business booms, growing industries, changes in young generation ways of living, fear and violence, restricting immigration, prohibition, popular music, the Harlem renaissance, and Arts. In the 1920s economic growth grew rapidly. During 1921 - 1929, US manufacturing nearly doubled, which meant more jobs and higher wages. Early 1900s, cars were seen as luxuries only for the wealthy. Henry Ford, inverter and business leader from Detroit, MI made the Model T to change many Americans lives. He created moving assembly line to make his cars, a much easier and faster way of making things. Women before the 1920s were to stay at home and do home chores or taking care of children. By end
The 1920s was a huge time period for the United States. Modern technology such as automobiles, radios, and advertisement had taken America by storm. Rural areas were on the decline. American cities had attracted not only rural and urban citizens, but also people from all over the world. In America during the 1920s, citizens struggled with accepting other races and ethnicities into their widely populated country.
Harlem Renaissance eventually led to the Civil Rights Movement; by which it ignited the social foundations for black pride, activism and a broader impact upon culturally defined movements; in literature, art, and music. Rather than implicate change throughout the country to advocate equality for African Americans seeked out change in a much more edifying movement; “The New Negro Movement”. The Harlem Renaissance would lead to the surge in both chaos by white supremacists (KKK), as well as the cultural movement to advocate equality and end segregation.
The 1920s was a time of dramatic upheaval in american society, a time of trying new things. Everything seemed to take a toll for change from work to how people spent their free time. Americans were more open to new things due to the growing abundance of leisure time. Even how or where people lived changed. Country folk were leaving their farms for factory jobs in the cities (McCollum). But even all these changes weren’t the most important shaping force of the 1920s. When two sociologists - Robert and Helen Lynd - asked residents of Muncie, Indiana, in 1925 how their lives were changing, one respondent offered a simple answer: “I can tell you what’s happening in just four letters: A-U-T-O” (McCollum). Although the 1920s had
The 1920s; more commonly known as the ‘roaring twenties’ were a time of fast paced life, and prosperity for most Americans. Many more people and families were living in cities, and more urban areas rather than rural. For the first time, the roles of men and women were more equal than ever before in the household, as well as the work force. The economic prosperity in families gave more time to sit back and take advantage of the new technologies, and media in the period. Individuals had more leisure time and the opportunity to explore their own interests in books, music, movies, sports, fashion and current events. Despite the positive aspects of this age, there were hostilities, and tensions throughout society that were omitted. It may seem like a time of flawless prosperity, but the era was unsteady at the second rise of the Ku Klux Klan, nativism, fundamentalism, prohibition, and Sacco and Venzetti. These examples are all contributors to the social conflicts in the 1920s, which left a lasting impression in the future, along with the downfall of society.