...Cultural Conflicts of The 1920s Throughout the 1920s the United States faced harsh cultural conflicts including controversies with race and immigration. First, in the years leading up to the 1920s racial tension began to rapidly cultivate due to a multitude of reasons including the rapid change in the racial demographic of the northern economy, which up until that point had been principally white. African Americans who had fought in World War I had additionally began to express their want for civil rights due to their contributions in Europe in the war. The previous actions caused the eruption of violence from white mobs in several areas. One of the first cities to see the eruption of violence was Tulsa, Oklahoma which had contained the wealthiest African American business community in the Southwest. The violence commenced after a 19-year-old African American man was accused of assaulting a white female elevator operator which would give rise to a substantial amount of violence in which the number of killed and injured is not completely known with an approximate by the state of Oklahoma stating that 26 African Americans killed, 10 Caucasian killed, and 317 injured. Following the events in Tulsa on New Year’s Day 1923 the small African American settlement in Rosewood, Florida was attacked by a white mob believed to be from Georgia. The death toll from the incident has varying accounts with some newspapers reporting seven deaths and others 21.Hence, the early 1920s began the years of...
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...Why were some people better off than the others in the 1920s? There are many factors that affected why some ethnic groups were better off than others but the main aspect is the economic issues and booms. In “The Lean Years” Irving Bernstein agrees as he said “The Twenties were, indeed golden, but only for a privileged segment of the American population”. Also the LA times released a cartoon in 1928 displaying that the Wall Street boom is racing ahead the “bandwagon” which displays American prosperity. The Economic boom created jobs, increased wages and caused the innovation of lots of new products. The impact of world war one boosted the economy because America lent money to western European countries and sold munitions to them, they sold...
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...The 1920s were a decade characterized by great change. Even though it was the decade after world war 1, it was almost 10 years of improvement for many Americans. Industries were still thriving in America and they were actually richer and more powerful than before World War I. So what event made the 1930’s so different? The Great Depression quickly turned those carefree years into ones of turmoil and despair. The decade after the first world war ever saw tremendous change. Progressivism was a leading factor of World War 1 and in the 1920’s the evidence can be seen. Industries were making their products at an increasing rate. Products that were not popular before World War I were now used by millions of Americans. Cars were only used by about 9 million Americans and by the end of the roaring 20’s that number had reached over thirty million. Also many new inventions were created making life for Americans much easier. Radios, vacuum cleaners, irons, washing machines, and refrigerators were the new electronics that everyone had to have. Refrigerators allowed for better production and transportation of food products. This allowed you to keep food cold and fresh making exporting food a valuable part of the economy. These new inventions were making home life easier for men and women. Not only were American families buying these new items but they also started purchasing stock in companies at an increased rate. Buying stocks was available before the war but was not really done. Soon...
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...philosophers, Plato, once said “Excess generally causes reaction, and produces a change in the opposite direction, whether it be in the seasons, or in individuals, or in governments.” This is a trope of history, where many know the dangers of excess but cannot resist the temptation. In particular, it is the dangerous attraction to wealth and excess in the 1920s that will lead to the most devastating economic crash in world history. And even in more modern times, including the 1980s, the excessive habits of the modern world will be a bitter reminder of how toxic superfluous wealth can be. Plato may have lived more than two thousand and five hundred years ago, yet his insight on the perils of decadence will continue...
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...Throughout the 1920’s jazz music was a defining aspect of American culture; it also had a huge effect on society.. People of the time saw either playing or listening to jazz as a way to feel free or even escape from their daily lives. With the social changes going on in the 20’s, like the parties and the way people behaved, jazz fit right in with the changing times. Many jazz enthusiasts will argue that you are born with a love of jazz (Jazz History: The Standards). Like Louis Armstrong once said, "if you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know" (Music with Ease > Jazz Quotes). In conjunction with the roaring twenties, jazz made it to the top and became widely known across the United States, and even some parts of Britain, making it a worldwide movement. It came very popular with people who wanted to get away from their normal lives and escape into the swing of jazz. Novelist F Scott...
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...U.S in the 20th Century 1. World War I and American Life. Explain the impact of World War I in America. Consider various social, economic and political changes in the country during and right after the war. Do you think these changes were caused by the war? War brings changes to every country. The American significantly transformed life after World War I. the country faced social, economic and political changes, which were felt both the negatively and the positively. First and foremost, it goes without saying that the population was increased since there were immigrants who were coming into the country with new ideas and new experiences. Therefore, the society was very vibrant. On the negative, there was a significant effect of othering that caused a rift between the immigrants and the local population; therefore, there were many differences. The economy of...
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...Before First World War * Women could not vote. * Middle/upper class women did not work but had the role of mothers and housewives. Working class women had low paid jobs such as factory work and cleaning. * Women usually wore full length dresses, wore no make up and had their hair tied back in buns. * Divorce was very rare and so was sex before marriage. * Women did not smoke or drink in public. * They had to go out with a chaperone (a family member) when they met their boyfriend. How did the First World War change the lives of women? * During the war, women began to work in areas like heavy industry. They proved they could work as well as men. By 1929, there were 10 million women workers; a rise of 24% since 1920. * Working gave women independence and they began smoking and drinking in public. * Women were given the vote in August 1920 but few were chosen to be actual politicians. * Production of consumer goods such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines meant women had more time for leisure activities. * Flappers emerged in the 1920’s = women from middle and upper class families from the Northern States. They cut their hair in short bobs, wore make up, short skirts and bright clothes. They also smoked and drank in public, went to speakeasies, danced the Charleston with men and listened to Jazz and drove cars and motorbikes. * BUT many groups, particularly in rural areas thought the flappers were too outrageous. ...
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...main reason why the economy boomed in 1920’s America. The interpretations that support this are A, B and C. While certainly there are other factors that are presented in all of the interpretations, I believe that the prominence of the war throughout these 3 passages support the strength of the argument. Interpretation D attributes Andrew Mellon as the main reason for the boom, but as Cannadine is the only one to do so this limits the strength of his argument. The war was the main cause of the boom as it provided the catalyst necessary to start of a chain of events that provided a huge boost to the economy. Without World War I, it could be argued that the American economy would not have boomed to the extent that it did in the 1920’s. One of the main reasons for this school of thought is an argument provided in interpretation A. Jim potter states that World War I provided an ‘impetus both to agricultural and industrial expansion’. This was because of the fact that the war brought in a need for armaments and munitions to supply the forces with, and there were many countries that could not yield the materials and products due to their lacklustre industry. America was not like these countries, and with the stimulus of the war they were able to quickly improve their industries and make these new products. As a result of this, as the historian Gary Gerstle suggests in interpretation C, America ‘had created an insatiable demand for American goods and capital.’ Countries were clamouring...
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...How far were the policies of the Republican Party the main reason for America’s economic success in the 1920’s [50 marks] Although America remained neutral and did not join World War One until 1917, they were already increasing their country’s profits by selling goods such as: weapons, food, equipment and other ammunition to both sides of the war. During World War One, as well as selling goods, America became ‘the banker’ to the rest of the world: loaning countries money at a very high interest. According to the First World War commissions “Britain, France and Italy owed the USA $22 billion plus interest”, this is showing that USA was at a very stable place financially even before the 1920s began. When the war ended Woodrow Wilson put forward his 14 Points which included a League of Nations. The League of Nations’ overall aim was to prevent war from breaking out again. America’s congress at the time decided that it would be best for America in the long run not to join the League of Nations because, congress believed that the USA should not interfere in any European or world affairs. Refusal to join the League of Nations made America an isolationist country. When Warren G. Harding won the presidential election and became president in 1921 a political party called the Republicans took over from the Democrats and the American government. 1920s America was known as the ‘Roaring twenties’ because of the entertainment and the crazes sweeping the country. There were lots of...
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...that remained in place from 1920 to 1933. This affected people because if the sale, importation, or transportation of alcohol was illegal this would cause people in the united states to be technically committing crimes because they persay needed the alcohol. This also lead to most of the gangs to become bootleggers. This amendment was repealed with the 21st amendment the amendment was repealed because they were not going to obey it anyway and people had began bootlegging.because of the 18th amendment...
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...How far were the policies of the Republican Party the main reason for America’s economic success in the 1920’s [50 marks] Although America remained neutral and did not join World War One until 1917, they were already increasing their country’s profits by selling goods such as: weapons, food, equipment and other ammunition to both sides of the war. During World War One, as well as selling goods, America became ‘the banker’ to the rest of the world: loaning countries money at a very high interest. According to the First World War commissions “Britain, France and Italy owed the USA $22 billion plus interest”, this is showing that USA was at a very stable place financially even before the 1920s began. When the war ended Woodrow Wilson put forward his 14 Points which included a League of Nations. The League of Nations’ overall aim was to prevent war from breaking out again. America’s congress at the time decided that it would be best for America in the long run not to join the League of Nations because, congress believed that the USA should not interfere in any European or world affairs. Refusal to join the League of Nations made America an isolationist country. When Warren G. Harding won the presidential election and became president in 1921 a political party called the Republicans took over from the Democrats and the American government. 1920s America was known as the ‘Roaring twenties’ because of the entertainment and the crazes sweeping the country. There were lots of...
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...When many people study history and learn the mistakes from the past, it would be easier to able to understand the present. Nevertheless, it is not enough to simply study the events that have transpired. By changing the unfavorable events that led to despair and continuing the benefits to society, one can understand why they happen and better the future. In the United States in the early 1920s, a new stage appeared with different movements in the areas of politics, economics, society, culture, and foreign policy. By the events that led to the 1930s, new crazes had developed in many of these areas, while other areas remained in continuity. From the 1920s to the 1930, there were several factors that contributed to the changes in American society. The 1920s began shortly after in World War I when the United States and the Allies defeated the Germans in 1918. Many Americans were fed up with Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president from 1913 to 1921. The first election of the 1920s scoured Republican Warren G. Harding against Democrat James M. Cox. Cox supported Wilson and the League of Nations in the election. However, Harding won the election in a landslide, which was a sign of America¡¦s frustration with Wilson and his optimistic and liberal policies. The start of the new conservative era restored the power to the Republicans after the presidential election of the 1920. Harding made quite a few excellent appointments to his cabinet although he failed to demonstrate to have much...
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...was a lively period in history full of lifestyle changes and economic responsibilities. It was classified as “roaring” because of the animated culture of the generation; and while this era seems to portray partying and drinking, it was a critical decade for the advancement of civil rights for men and women. During the 1920’s, women took significant steps towards this equality they desired by enjoying all aspects of their lives, involving themselves both socially and politically, and inspiring young women to act upon their ambitions. Consequently, flappers have revolutionized the way women are viewed in today's society. Women of this generation formed a new type of feminism; they were scandalizing older generations by leaving...
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... In the novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald shows the change in people’s morals during the 1920’s era. It also shows the how society corrupts the “American Dream” and alters it to what it should be like. He shows this in his characters like Daisy, a materialistic woman who cannot live without attention and Tom, a reluctant jerk who lets his riches and ego get the best of him. Daisy and her fiancé Tom are about to get married. While there relationship is going on, Gatsby reunites with Daisy and tries to convince her to leave Tom for him. Daisy ends up staying with Tom because he can provide the things she needs. This shows that back in the 1920’s era people did not marry for love but only for riches. It showed the rich as dominate over the poor. It also showed the altercation of what the “American Dream” should be rather than what it really was. He also shows this corruption in Gatsby as well. Gatsby’s “American Dream” was Daisy. Gatsby’s death can be used as a symbol for the death of the “American Dream”. Gatsby spends his whole life chasing after his “American Dream” he forgets about everything around him. He changes himself completely only to try and achieve this “American Dream”. When Daisy decides to stay with Tom this ends Gatsby’s “American Dream” and coincidently, Gatsby’s life. This shows how people back in the 1920’s would alter their life style in order to achieve the idea of this typical “American Dream”. No matter what the dream was, people changed their...
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...behavior throughout the 1920’s in early American society. The year of 1920’s was a superlative year, innumerable events occurred during this period of time including the age of the Flapper; leaving an impact on the women in early America. People began to realize that the age of the Flappers belonged to the young generation of women in Early America. Young women who became Flappers began to change their lifestyle; exploiting the remaining time they had left of their period of youth by stepping over their boundaries, into a world of excitement and wonders. As Flappers began to grow in popularity, more young women joined in the dazzling life of the Flappers. Also, not only were lifestyles changed, the behaviour of young women drastically underwent a transformation. “Flappers” en.wikepedia.org Flappers have always been known to people in America, but only became really popular when the famous french fashionista who also happens to be a designer executed a considerable amount of time and effort into making the Flapper look popular. If there was one important factor to know about this particular superstar ,It...
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