Life in the 1920s

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Life in the 1920s

After World War One, the United States went through a decade full of industrial, economical, and social growth. This decade is known as the Roaring 20s. The 1920s was a time of important historical events and technological advancement. The development of consumer goods, such as fridges, typewriters, radios, and cars, created jobs and helped the American economy grow. However, not everyone was able to enjoy the advancement that the boom had assured. Although there were many wealthy people, there were still many people who could not afford to live luxurious lives. Many immigrants were not welcome into to United Stats. Prejudice and racism were spread throughout the country. In spite of the prosperity of the 1920s, the nation was divided between rich and poor, native-born and immigrant, and black and white.

Not all Americans were able to enjoy the economic boom of the 1920s. 42% of Americans were living below the poverty line and new immigrants and farmers in the southeast were not as wealthy as others. Industries lowered the number of employed people. (Huggins) The gap between the rich and poor increased as the decade progressed. The few wealthy people in the United States during the 1920s moved to New York to invest money. The rich lived superior lifestyles. They lived in luxurious homes and had high-paying jobs.There were many people who were not as fortunate. Many Americans in the 1920s were poor. They lived in small homes and had low-paying jobs or no jobs at all. Even though they did not live luxurious lives, the poor people found ways of having fun an living comfortably. The average American home would have a wooden stove to keep the house warm and cook their meals. To supply for their family family, the...

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...s still found that the SOuth was segregated. In the North, racism was also widespread. African Americans also found that they could only get low-paying jobs. Also, many Whites refused to rent apartments to Blacks. Blacks wanted to live near each other so African American communities grew in the North. (Davidson and Stoff 739-740)

During the 1920s, the United States was divided between rich and poor, native-born and immigrant, and black and white. Although there were many wealthy people living luxurious lives, many people were left poor and jobless. Immigrants from southern and eastern Europe were not welcome in America. Hate groups and laws were created to limit immigration. Racism and prejudice spread throughout the United States. Blacks and whites could not live together. The gap between rich and poor grew and eventually led to the Great Depression in 1929.

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