Taking a Look a the Roaring Twenties

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Recommended: Changes in America in the 1920s

Though many Americans thought of the 1920s as a time of liberation and success, many others deemed the new “consumer society” as repulsive, undesirable, and hypocritical as nearly half of the country was left behind. The ten years between 1919 and 1929 took Europeans and Americans on a social and economic roller coaster ride. The 1920s roared with sustained prosperity, numerous technological advances, artistic innovation and lively culture, earning the era its most popular nickname: The Roaring Twenties.
After a brief but sharp recession following World War I from 1920 to 1921, the United States experienced an economic boom. As soldiers returned home to to their loved ones, people began to leave behind their cautious attitudes caused by the uncertainties of war and started to develop a more joyous and peaceful lifestyle. Throughout the war, the country supplied Europe and other nations with manufactured goods and agricultural products, making the United States a rich trader and source of investment dollars for other countries. As a result, the United States was the strongest economy in the world. Businesses went from supplying military needs to producing commercial products. This change created a higher standard of living, a larger middle class, and new opportunities for most people. Wages were raised by major industrial leaders. Consumer credit was greatly expanded and new installment plans allowed families to spend money upfront. With a prospering economy and employment at an all time high, more people began to spend their money on entertainment, household products, and luxury items such as the automobile.
The automobile was the most important consumer product of the 1920s as it became the symbol of the new America....

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5. “19th Amendment adopted.” 2013. The History Channel website. Nov 22 2013, 4:44 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/19th-amendment-adopted.
6. "IGCSE History." Dhahran British Grammar School. N.p., n.d. Web. Dec 1 2013, 11:31 http://www.dhahranbritish.com/history/A9_HenryFord.htm.
7. "Radio in the 1920s." American Studies at the University of Virginia. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov 30 2013, 3:20 http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug00/3on1/radioshow/1920radio.htm.
8. "The Roaring 1920's: The Effects of the Automobile on American Life." Yahoo Contributor Network. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov 29 2013, 5:54 http://voices.yahoo.com/the-roaring-1920s-effects-automobile-on-128540.html.

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