The Roaring Years
In the 1920’s, USA changed vastly in its social, political and economical trends. The wake of the First World War is dubbed by historians as the roaring 20’s. A revolution in most aspects of living was witnessed in the United States.
There was a massive economical, social and political change. The changes were mostly brought about by country’s encounter of cultural, political and economical diversity of other countries during the First World War. The thesis of my essay is to discuss the various changes that the country encountered in cultural, economical and political aspects.
Economical change
The Cultural Revolution was experienced with numerous changes in the women culture. While most men were out of the country fighting in the First World War, most women took over the jobs left behind in USA. Women became more functional and thus by the time the war was over, women participation was a major concern. The number of women working rose by 25 per cent (Edsforth & Bennett, 1991).
During the year 1920, major economical changes were created by the poor government planning. In the roaring year, America’s economy grew from industrial economy to a well structured complex economy. Reduced government participation in the economy led to a great economic participation by veterans. Investors who flocked the country had to compete for the approximately nine million workers who were available. During this period, a lot of African-American people advanced due to the economic expansion. Construction companies increased their economic participation. This economic change created a rise in inflation was prices rose and there was labor unrest. This was followed by the first general American strike (Kyvig, 2002).
Political changes
Further, the political supremacy reduction in key economy sectors led to more changes. For instance, a bill was passed that entitled all women in America a right to vote. In addition, for the first time in the history of America, they issued an immigration restriction. Nevertheless, there was a conspicuous neglect of law and order in the country. This was caused by certain regulatory bills passed such as the restriction of alcohol in the country. This led to the rise of the most infamous criminals and outlawed sects of all time. For instance, there was Al Capone and the Ku Klux Klan. There was a leadership crisis, which saw the struggle for racial equality abandoned (Edsforth & Bennett, 1991).
However, there was the increase in the dollar use among many American countries. This reduced the participation of foreign bondholders who still had a role in some countries mostly in Southern America. American banks quickly took over the dollar and spread its use among the countries that still used bondholders. This increased the economic growth of America by the wide use of the dollar. The government increased its revenue as a result of this change (Kyvig, 2002).
Cultural change
As a result of the increase in labor demand, most people were able to earn a living. This saw the rise in the number of automobile owners, which increased people’s mobility and interaction. However, the period led to a huge diversity in morality and culture. Most youths now felt free and they were not bound to any moral restrictions.
America encountered a sexual revolution where most youths began taking alcohol and holding parties. This led to a bill passed against the transport, sale and manufacture of alcohol in America. In addition, many women began taking cigarettes (Kyvig, 2002). There was a traditional cultural degradation experienced during the year. Sexual intercourse among most youths increased, both married and unmarried. This led to the use of birth control measures, though they were still illegal at the time. The sexual revolution led to change in fashion, mostly among the women. Most women abandoned their traditional dressing culture of long dresses that barely exposed their body parts to short and tight clothes (Goldberg, 1999).
The roaring year has received scrutiny and stereotypes form the media and authors. This makes it look different from our current world. However, it was an historical year for the country, after the aftermath of World War 1. More people were now aware of the dangers of war. In addition, the political changes led to a drastic government failure that will be remembered for years. The moral degradation in America is still going on.
References
Edsforth, R., & Bennett, L. (1991). Popular culture and political change in modern America. New York: State University of NY Press.
Kyvig, D. (2002). Daily life in the United States, 1920-1939: Decades of pain and promise. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press.
Goldberg, D. (1999). Discontented America: The United States in the 1920s. Baltimore, Md. [u.a.: Johns Hopkins Univ. Pr.
