History
Apparently, the 1920s gestured a melodramatic break between the historical and forthcoming America. Sensationally, it is referred as the Roaring Twenties. Why? Before WWI and the American civil, Americans were psychologically and customarily deep-rooted in the 19th century culture. It was a high time for people to transform and usher in a fresh era. Most vivid brands of that time are movie palaces, advanced automobiles, flappers and speakeasies dance halls. These fluctuations are accredited to the new wide-ranging awakening that was sweeping across the whole world predominantly due to growing literacies and the actual lessons learnt from WWI. This paper will critically scrutinize various folders that expansively cover the new awakening in America in the 1990s, examine how the contents relate to changes in technology and gender roles or gender perception.
The folders indicate that massive changes in the mass and print media took place in the early 1920s. Using rudimentary technologies, Americans came up with radio and TV stations that were primarily aimed at exposing the challenges that the Americans were going through. To offer a unique perspective of this period, newsreels, animated cartoons, political cartoons and subway posters. Commercials were also done after the development of technologies that could sustain mass communication. Additionally, number of Americans owning automobiles and electronic devices increased immensely due to the availability of electricity in many urban areas.
Vital changes for urban women took place in the workplace, politics, education, and at homes. Urban women found that electricity made housework different, and often calmer, with electrically functioned irons, vacuum washing machines and cleaners. Their manner of dressing transformed due to vicissitudes in styles and designs. The changes ensued from newly developed technologies and newly articulated and instigated regulations. They started holding demonstrations demanding that alcohol be banned in America since it was tarnishing their husbands. Women’s locus in the society was rapidly shifting and men had no alternative but to appreciate the ‘modern’ woman. To offset the complications accompanying the change, females started taking part in policymaking as they perceived political decisions as directly and indirectly affecting their lives. Women started overlooking indoor duties and searched for paid jobs. As the folders suggest, urban women persevered to outshine ridiculous hurdles placed by humanity. Although the media played a great role against such changes, they heeded none of it. “The task of remaining an attractive and vigilance wife require constant vigilance." The mishmash of family life with a career was challenging but altogether made life sparkling and cheerful.
The different folders captivatingly and outstandingly reveal that living in America during the 1990s implied that one must be radical and an originator or acceptor of change. There were historical attempts to build a new America that fulfills the aspirations and heroism of its founders. All Americans were required to strive and create a land where social, economic and political destitutions were considered unacceptable and a menace that was to be fought at all costs. Eradicating oppression was at the heart of every right-minded American. Anything that was perceived to be superstitious, unhealthy or unscientific was considered an enemy of the newly awaken society.
In conclusion, the different folders are closely related and both elucidate the American history in the 1990s. It was an era that signaled a new generation of Americans who were willing to accept change, develop their industries and transform the entire society. As the folders indicate, American culture and technology changed significantly during the Roaring Twenties and the generation of Americans that developed seemed to be radical than ever before. It was a significant period that marked the beginning of change in America.
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