The “roaring twenties” refers to the flourishing of America the decade following World War I. America transformed in social, cultural, and economical ways. America’s economy thrived. New technologies, entertainment and laws were created. And cultural aspects of African Americans and women changed. The 1920’s started as a great decade, however, ended with the 1929 Stock Market Crash leading to the Great Depression. The twenties are referred to as the “age of prosperity”. With factories pouring out consumer goods the American economy had high economic growth. The idea of buy now and pay later, or credit, became a major concept of the twenties. People did not care about debt; they only cared about these tangible items. With a soaring …show more content…
Motion picture, dance, and music were very exciting aspects for people in the twenties. Movie theaters and the growth of Hollywood helped the movie industry thrive. Jazz music became very widespread, especially in the African American culture. Dancing also was popular with dance clubs and dances, such as the Charleston. The passing of the 18th amendment in 1920 created prohibition. Prohibition banned the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor. Prohibition reduced public intoxication and the consumption of liquor. Alcohol was still available to those who wanted to purchase it. Prohibition led to speakeasies, which were nightclubs that sold liquor illegally. “Bootleggers” or the sellers of liquor made a lot of money from the illegal sales. Women’s rights had a huge transformation in the 1920’s. Since the passing of the 19th amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote, many women were changing their ideas of life. The traditional roles of women as housewives changed and some women were beginning to work outside the home. These women were not yet married and were young. The term “flapper” was also introduced to women in the 1920’s. “Flappers” were women who wanted sexual freedom and the ability to do what they pleased. These women dressed in short skirts and had short bob cut hairstyles. They would smoke and drink in public and go to clubs and dance