1920s Progression or Regression
Every era has its fallout, no era is perfect. Although it's easy to assume the 1920s was a time of regression due to it being the time right before we had the great depression, but the 1920s was definitely more of a time of progression than regression. The 1920s was a time where new ideals for women and people of color were fought for. New inventions made in the 1920s made life easier for americans. Also america became a big part in foreign investment and trade.
On august 18th 1920 the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote was ratified (doc 1) . This was a huge step towards women's equality and people started to really think about why women weren't treated as equally as white men. “This war could not have been fought, either by the other nations engaged or by america, if it had not been for the services of the women”(Woodrow Wilson doc 2) women were now recognized for how much work they do in this country and leaders at the time did not turn a blind eye. “Women of america are too noble and too intelligent and too devoted to be slackers”(Woodrow Wilson doc 2), the idea that society believed that women are less than men was being brought out into the open. In the 1920s the flapper was born. Women that wanted to be a flapper would drink illegally smoked cigarettes and wore short skirt. They didn't follow the status quo that society tried to put them in and they fought against the oppression on women at this time. The flapper broke down the women stereotype and helped pave the way for women to realize they didn't need to get married and have babies right away and they could have successful careers and lead happy lives(doc1).
Barriers were broken down for people of color also. African americans now could perform their music on stage and perform in silent films this was the tie of harlem renaissance. People of all colors would go to watch these performances (doc 5). Although there was a lot of pushback from white americans who believed that whites were superior to those of color. African americans fought back just as hard with their own protests and the development of the UNIA (United Negro Improvement Association) which was a group of people who fought for better rights for the African American people.(doc 5)
The standard of living changed so much in the 1920s due to new scientific research and inventions. These new inventions were things like; the washing machine, the television, toasters, electric shavers, car radios, refrigerators and that's only a few of the new inventions that make our lives easier today (timetoast). The standard of living went up due to the fact that people lived more leisurely lives. There was another invention that didn't have as such of a good of an outcome as the others, this was the invention of credit. Credit was used by citizens who wanted to buy things they couldn't afford at that time, and over time they would pay off that credit. It was seen as acceptable to go to debt so a lot of people lost their homes once the great depression came around(doc 1). We now have learned from that mistake and that's why it's now frowned upon to go into debt.
America in the 1920s was producing 80% of the world's cars and 40% of manufactured goods. This was an amazing progression for the US because we were helping fuel our economy and the US was seen as an icon for manufacturing. Productivity went up due to adopting the assembly line techniques.
In conclusion the 1920s may have had some downfalls, but the advancements were so important because without them our world would be nothing like it is today. On top of our scientific advancements we also had social changes in the way we view one another when it comes to race and gender.
sources
docs 1, 2, 5
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