The Interwar period is generally defined as the years between the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II, ranging from 1918 to 1939. The period is usually further divided into the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. The economic growth of the 1920s led to a consumer culture and more manufacturing jobs. It was also a period where women redefined their role in society. Flapper culture increased as women became more involved in the public sphere. These women wore shorter dresses, danced, smoked, and drove cars: all behaviors previously considered scandalous for women.
The economic growth of this period was built on shaky ground. Stock market speculation was used to invest American savings in short-term gains in the stock market. An increase in credit and banks failing to protect themselves against possible financial crises led to the Great Depression of 1929. Banks began running out of cash. People rushed to the banks to take out their savings but were turned away. American banks called in the loans they gave out to European banks, which soon after caused a crash in European banks. During the 1930s, Japan, Germany, and Italy would attempt to expand their empires. A growth in nationalism and fascism fueled this. This fascism was characterized by authoritarianism and xenophobia.