What were the Roaring Twenties?
The Roaring Twenties refers to the period of social and political shift that occurred during the 1920s, primarily in the United States. The major symbols that represent this era are the flapper, the automobile, jazz music, and speakeasies. The Roaring Twenties were an era of cultural revolution that gave way to a cultural civil war between the small town conservatives, and the multicultural and liberal city dwellers. Those living in cities embraced the societal changes and advancements, and began to break with traditions and rebel against them, turning to a new lifestyle. Rural communities opposed the changes, fearing they would negatively affect their families and traditions.
What were the causes of the culture shift of the Roaring Twenties?
Economy: After World War I the United States first experienced a brief period of recession, which quickly rebounded and turned into an economic boom, establishing the nation as a world power
Prosperity gave people extra money to spend, which led to the increase of spending on forms of entertainment, like movie theaters, music, dancing, and drinking. The increased prosperity of the middle-class led to consumerism, or the need to spend money and accelerate consumption.
Inventions: With Henry Ford’s use of the assembly line to mass produce the Ford Model T beginning in 1914, automobiles became affordable, and soon necessary, for the middle class. The mobilization and freedom that automobiles created were influential in the transformation of society. Infrastructure, service stations, and motels began to spread across the country.
Mass production also increased the affordability of household appliances, such as electric washing machines and dishwashers, which became common in middle-class homes during the 1920s. These appliances increased efficiency and reduced the amount of time necessary to perform chores in the home, freeing many women from their domestic duties. Women were able to seek jobs outside the home and had more free time for entertainment.
Radios became very common, which allowed for the spread of culture from coast to coast, creating mass culture. Advertisements on radio meant that people, driven by consumerism, bought the same products across the country.
Increased wealth and free time meant more people spent their time and money on entertainment and pleasure. The movie theater and dance clubs became popular hangouts.
These advancements in technology gave Americans a sense of security after the War, making them optimistic about the future.
Urbanization: For the first time in United States history, more people were living in the cities than in rural areas. Immigration booms increased the populations of many large cities, especially New York. The Great Migration, or the mass movement of African Americans from the South to the North, also led to increases in big city living.
How did the role of women change during the Roaring Twenties?
The 1920s turned out to be a very important decade for women, drastically redefining the role of women in society as well as the home. Increasingly, women began pursuing higher education at universities and jobs outside the home.
On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, was ratified. Susan B. Anthony’s years of activism with the women’s suffrage movement finally paid off with the success of this Amendment, making way for more freedom and equalities to follow.
The assistance of household appliances liberated women from the home, giving them the ability and time to secure jobs and other activities outside the home.
The fight for women’s rights continued in 1921, as Margaret Sanger led the fight to give women the option of birth control. This resulted in sexual liberation for women by giving them the choice of not having children.
These factors soon led to the emergence of a new type of woman who broke free from traditions that were seen as oppressive, opting for short skirts, short hair worn in a bob, and new fashions. These women became known as flappers, a term which may be derived from baby birds flapping their wings, or slang for teenage girls or even prostitutes.
What are the characteristics of flappers?
Flappers were known for their short, boyish hair and French-influenced fashion that also made them look more boyish. Flappers broke free from the traditional restrictive corset, which had served to accentuate curves, and opted instead for the loose, drop-waist dresses that disguised any natural curves. They created a new version of feminine, wearing high heels, showing their legs, and wearing heavy makeup.
These style choices symbolized their break from tradition by rebelling against the gender roles imposed on them. Until this point, societal rules insisted that women needed to be proper, and both physically and socially constricted to be considered feminine. Flappers were pushing the boundaries, as well as breaking them.
The behavior of flappers was also quite different than that of the traditional woman. Flappers smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol, and danced freely. They voiced their opinions and asserted themselves, living a hedonistic lifestyle.
Many people criticized flappers, calling them brash and manly for stepping out of their gender roles. Some men claimed they were trying to act like men, or even disguise themselves as men, in order to gain power. Some of the women who had fought for women’s suffrage even criticized flappers, believing they were vapid and brainless for their fun and promiscuity.
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