Roaring Twenties

PIBUSA1920-40

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Chrysler Building at night

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Trianon Theater ad - 25 November 1923, Birmingham, AL

Norma Talmadge 1920

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Map of US Suffrage, 1920

== Roaring Twenties ==

The Roaring Twenties was a decade of economic growth and widespread prosperity, driven by recovery from wartime devastation and deferred spending, a boom in construction, and the rapid growth of consumer goods such as automobiles and electricity in North America and Western Europe. The era saw the large-scale use of automobiles, telephones, motion pictures, radio, and electrical appliances. The rapid industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand, and significant changes in lifestyle and culture marked this period.

Economic Prosperity

The economic boom of the Roaring Twenties was fueled by the post-World War I recovery, technological advancements, and the rise of consumer culture. The United States experienced significant economic growth, with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing by 42%. The stock market soared, leading to a period of speculative investments and financial exuberance.

Cultural Changes

The Roaring Twenties was also a period of significant cultural change. The decade saw the rise of the Jazz Age, characterized by the popularity of jazz music and dance. This era also witnessed the emergence of the flapper, a new breed of young women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior.

Jazz Age

The Jazz Age was a cultural phenomenon that emerged during the Roaring Twenties. Jazz music, which originated in the African American communities of New Orleans, became immensely popular and spread across the United States and Europe. Prominent jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington became household names.

Flappers

Flappers were young women known for their energetic freedom, embracing a lifestyle viewed by many at the time as outrageous, immoral, or downright dangerous. They wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior.

Prohibition

One of the most significant social changes during the Roaring Twenties was Prohibition in the United States, which lasted from 1920 to 1933. The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. This led to the rise of speakeasies, illegal bars that operated during Prohibition, and a surge in organized crime.

Technological Advancements

The Roaring Twenties was marked by significant technological advancements. The widespread adoption of the automobile revolutionized transportation and led to the growth of suburbs. The radio became a popular medium for entertainment and news, and the motion picture industry flourished with the advent of Hollywood.

End of the Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties came to an abrupt end with the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which marked the beginning of the Great Depression. The economic downturn had a profound impact on the global economy and led to widespread unemployment and poverty.

Related Pages

• World War I
• Jazz Age
• Flappers
• Prohibition
• Automobile
• Radio
• Hollywood
• Wall Street Crash of 1929
• Great Depression