The Roaring 20s bundle student expectations that focus on the political, economic, social, and cultural changes taking place during the 1920s. They are primarily a study of contrasts in society. Following the end of the First World War, Americans weathered a temporary economic depression moving from a wartime economy to a peacetime economy from 1919-1921. The remainder of the decade was characterized by unprecedented economic prosperity, supported by the probusiness policies of three presidential administrations. This prosperity was coupled with isolationist foreign policies, and heightened fears of communists, immigrants, and anarchists that manifested in the rise of nativism. The time period was also characterized by changing social values which threatened traditional values, as evidence by prohibition and the Scopes Trial. During the 1920s, African-Americans migrated in large numbers to northern cities as a flourishing of African-American culture reached a pinnacle with the Harlem Renaissance.
Henry Ford’s Assembly line lowered the cost of automobiles, making them attainable for all Americans.
The Conveyor belt increased productivity and lowered prices for consumers.
Retailers introduced the installment plan, allowed consumers more purchasing power.
Advertisements increased demand.
Gains in stocks fueled speculation.
Farmers faced lower incomes due to overproductions as a result of technology innovations.
Railroads competed with cars.
Protestant reformers saw liquor as a cause of poverty and crime and persuaded enough for the ratification of the 18th amendment.
Prohibition led to a growth in organized crime.
African Americans migrated North East in search of jobs and escaping racism of the south (known as the Great Migration.)
The Harlem Renaissance brought a sense of African American liberation from years of oppression.
Poets and writers expressed the social awakening through literature, art and music.
Eugenics led to forced sterilizations, segregations laws, and marriage restrictions.
The Scopes “Monkey Trial” brought to light the controversy between religion and scientific theory.
Many Young women began to rebel against traditional values and demonstrated a sense of independence. They adopted a new look that rejected restrictive clothing. This look became known as the “flapper.
A new group of writers emerged and became known as the “Lost Generation”, which believed that Americans had become to materialistic and rejected the desire for material wealth.
More leisure time allowed for the opportunity for entertainment.
Nativist feelings that arose as a result of World War I led Congress to establish immigration restriction policies.
The Temperance Movement led to the ratification of the 18th amendment.
After the war, Americans returned to their policy of isolationism, Warren Harding was elected President because of his call for a “return to normalcy”, in which he emphasized prosperity at home.