The 1920s were the start of a decade when people demanded that Americans take on new responsibilities to reject the feelings of sorrow and sadness after World War I. There was a time before the Great Depression and after World War I when people aspired to change. Americans did not want to remain in the past; thus, they sought freedom to live a happier and improved life. During the Roaring Twenties, the younger generation was tired of elders dictating their lives. Throughout this historical period, people desired more freedom in dressing, singing, and spending money. The Roaring Twenties were an era of freedom, as seen in fashion trends and the economy, contrary to the drawbacks associated with enforcing the Eighteenth Amendment. During the …show more content…
In the 1920s, people could buy whatever they wanted, such as clothes, accessories, and movie tickets. Americans had money mainly because of core goods, convenient shopping, electricity, mass production, advertising, hire-purchase agreements, and credit. After World War I, America had a rise in natural resources. Ample supplies of natural resources allowed for more production and increased employment. "The USA had become a huge industrial nation even before the 1920s. This was because it had large supplies of natural resources such as timber, iron, coal, minerals, oil, and land" ("The 'Roaring Twenties'" np). However, technological advancement was the most prominent reason for the economic boom since it was the main cause of mass production. The Roaring Twenties allowed for greater scientific discoveries, which supported technological improvements, leading to new industries and enhanced productivity in existing ones. Even if certain occupations got lost due to technological advancement, it primarily eased and improved human life. "...the electrification of America, new mass marketing techniques, the availability of cheap credit, and increased employment, which, in turn, created a huge amount of consumers," ("The 'Roaring Twenties'" np). For example, the car and cinema industries thrived due to technological progress. As people went to the movies more frequently than before, the film …show more content…
The law causes much corruption in politics. When citizens were taxed, politicians continued to drink even after the law was passed; therefore, people claimed hypocrisy. Many politicians supported the law but continued to drink in private. "President Warren G. Harding, for example, stocked the White House with whiskey for his infamous poker nights, while his Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover liked to stop for a drink at the Belgian Embassy—where U.S. law technically didn't apply" ("How the Great Depression Helped End Prohibition - History"). Due to this hypocrisy, criminals started to rise like deadly venom. The high rise of criminals increased, which increased bank robbery, kidnapping, auto theft, and gambling. Criminals were increasing; therefore, the United States needed a better way to investigate which was at fault. The FBI began to use fingerprints to help catch the guilty and free the innocent. The incident between Will West and William catalyzed the United States to collect everyone's fingerprints. Both men appeared identical, and their names were similar, making it impossible to establish which was a murderer. Nevertheless, determining the guilty was effortless once the FBI took their fingerprints. "In New York, the state prison had begun fingerprinting its inmates as early as 1903. Following the event at Leavenworth, other police and prison officials followed suit. Leavenworth itself eventually began
The Roaring Twenties was a prime era for women. Because of the toils of many strong women, ideals were flipped on their head, to America’s benefit. In the late 1800’s, two women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, quickly realized that women would not be able to share their political views unless given the right to vote. Because of the fact that women had basically no other societal roles besides housework, they were not respected during this time period.
There were many noticeable components that contributed to the advancement and growth of the United States such as: industrialization, the Great Depression, and war. Of the many occurrences, technology had the single greatest impact on the continued evolution of the United States. The new inventions, new discoveries, and new innovation led to greater economic growth and wealth that the American people experienced during 1920-1940. One invention that influenced and continues to impact American lives is the automobile. Kyvig (2002) has argued that automobile ownership tripled during the 1920s, and by the end of the decade four families out of five owned an automobile.
The postwar economic boom that the United States experienced in both of these decades was accompanied by a rise in cultural optimism. In the 1920s, metropolitan populations surpassed those of rural areas for the first time, and the foundations of contemporary American consumerism were laid. Following the troops' return from duty abroad, output soared in both decades. African-American migration to northern industrial centers in the 1920s led to an expansion of the labor force, which enabled corporate profits to soar and fueled the stock market boom.
As industry grew, jobs were created which pulled both farmers and immigrants to cities. New industrial and agricultural technology, such as the lightbulb and mechanical reaper, helped push for industrial development. Also, the Gilded Age saw a surplus of goods to be sold to the growing urban markets, and the innovative railroads allowed these goods to be sold across the country there were few limitations on business, people such as Andrew Carnegie were able to go from “rags to riches” and grow their small businesses into giant ones. By 1914, the United States had become the largest industrial nation, and this further proves that the Gilded Age was an overall prosperous
The Roaring Twenties arose with new trends, new technology, and a new morality. With wars finally and completely over, it was time for Americans to have some fun and let all the tension go. The women were able to free some of their restrictions with the ability to drink, vote, and have their own reputation. Also, Americans released the stress through using new technology, such as cars, airplanes, and radios. The Twenties finished with a screeching halt as the growth in the economy collapsed and the Great Depression into the next decade.
The development of new industries, such as automobiles and consumer goods, which resulted in the creation of new jobs and increased economic activity. Thirdly, the stock market's expansion, which enabled
Furthermore, the implications of trade during this period allowed for more revenue. Overall, the growing agriculture throughout the decade helped develop the economic growth seen throughout the 1920s. WORKERS AND FARMERS
This caused America to flourish with new inventions, for example the automobile, household machinery, television, etc. Even old inventions and ideas were improving, like the radio, movies, and the use of advertising. The radio, movies, driving, and buying the various new products became a part of the daily lives. These inventions created a sense of ease for daily lives in America in the 1920s. It made life, jobs, and experiences easier.
One of the most significant developments of this era was the growth of the steel industry, which revolutionized the way goods were produced and distributed. The Industrial and Gilded Age was also marked by the emergence of new forms of transportation, such as the automobile and the airplane. These new technologies helped to connect people and places in ways that were previously unimaginable. They also helped to create new industries and jobs, and contributed to the growth of the American
Some highlights were the newfound economical boom, new technology like the telephone, the development of large-scale agriculture, the expansion of the federal government, and social tensions. Monopolies enabled the production of goods more readily available to the generalized population. These goods were typically more affordable and gave birth to the middle class. People were now
The 1920s were the first years of the new, modern America, with a growing consumer society and new ideas and rules. America saw many changes throughout this decade, including but not limited to social, economic and political changes. Throughout this time, new values were made with the growth of new forms of entertainment and education. After the Progressive Era, the ideas of political figures changed with a new focus on conservative politics and less labor issues. With the new ability for people to buy other products than basic needs, their money went to new inventions, causing new industries to grow.
The 1920s in America, also known as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of political, social, economic, technological, and cultural developments. These developments created new changes and helped shape the ways of life of the American people. Women played a significant example in social changes. From improvements in the education system, to minor developments such as the changes in attire. Another major development was economic production.