The Upper Class In The 1920s

Victory in the Great War allowed the United States to rise as one of the dominant powers in world affairs. As soldiers returned home, there was a new sense of hope and prosperity. This aura, driven by money and wealth acquired from the war, was the basis of the 1920s. The 1920s is attributed to be the “Golden Age” of America as business prospered, innovations arose, and the standard of living boomed. The change in the standard of living induced drastic evolvement in the class system of America. There were 2 major classes in the 1920s: the upper class and the lower class. There was no in between, one was either fortunate to be wealthy, or attempting to gain the fortune to be wealthy. This stark division was the source of the drastic change for

the classes, not only between them, but also within them. Treatment in society was based solely upon the class one was in, demonstrating the importance of one’s class in the society of the 1920s.
The 1920s focused on economic and social growth, allowing the standard of living in America to improve and the upper class to rise.

The members of the upper class invested in rising businesses, gaining the benefits of an increase in wages and shorter workweeks. They reveled in the increase of wages by enjoying leisure time and adapting to a newly affluent lifestyle. The individuals in the upper class regarded themselves as superior to everyone else; this mentality could be seen in their attire, attitude, and interests. The upper class was further divided into two sections; “old money” and “new money”. Those with “old money” acquired their wealth from an established family inheritance passed down from generation to generation. While those with “new money” were not from wealthy families, but gained their wealth from the economic upsurge in the

1920s.
Both were classified as upper class members, however those with “old money” looked down upon those who had “new money”. People of “old money” were far more traditional, embodying elegance and grace. They were accustomed to an affluent lifestyle and were not fans of absolute change, the kind of change that was occurring in the 1920s. The new style of dress, futile leisure activities, like movies and dancing, and drinking were all condemned by the “old money-ers”. They attempted to dissociate themselves from the newly wealthy individuals, who enjoyed said activities, and the lower class by refraining from mingling with them. They abstained from socializing with them, not necessarily because they were disgusted by “new money-ers” or the lower class, although some were, but because they could not relate to them. “Old money” individuals seldom spent their money on frivolous items, they were cautious about spending money because it was their family’s money. While “new money” individuals were often careless with their money because it was their money. Therefore, “old money-ers” tended to solely associate with their “kind”, other established wealthy families, and kept a tight circle. This attitude was the reason they were regarded as snobby and stuck-up, but also because they acted in such a manner. “Old money-ers” believed themselves to be superior in society because they did not have to work to become rich, it was merely part of their fate.
The other half of the upper class relished a life of amusement and desire; the “new money” individuals spent their money as they pleased and were incredibly receptive. The newly rich were ostentatious, not because they bragged about their wealth, but because they were eager to spend money they had incessantly worked for. The poor idolized this section of the upper class because unlike the “old money-ers”, “new money-ers” gallivanted about in search of the next item to invest in. The “new money-ers” owe their wealth to the business boom of the 1920s, specifically the rise of oil plants, manufacture, and the railroad industry. Laws and rules did not apply to the rich, their wealth allowed them to evade a restricted lifestyle. When the 18th amendment was ratified, banning the sale and consumption of alcohol in America, it did not apply to the wealthy. The “old money-ers” followed the law, however the “new money-ers” used their wealth to easily conceal their disregard for the law. They attended clubs and bars, known as speakeasies, were bootleg liquor was sold. The newly rich spent their leisure time attending movies, dances, and sports. They enjoyed dressing up; the women ditched the conservative look for a more flapper inspired look that allowed them to move and dance, and the men continued to wear suits, however the designs were much more buoyant and lively. These transformations caused quite the uproar in the 1920s society. The “old money” folks were appalled by the rebellious and careless attitudes of the “new money-ers”. The lower class, on the other hand, was impressed and amazed that the newly rich could be so courageous. The “new money” half of the upper class were audacious and had no regard for their reputation; they merely worried about having a superb time.
Despite much of the attention being placed on the upper class, regardless of whether they were of “old money” or “new money”, majority of Americans were members of the lower class.

The Golden Age did wonders to advance the lives of the rich, however it did little for the lives of the poor. The lower class was highly neglected by society in the 1920s. The standard of living declined instead of improving for the poor; they faced falling rates in healthcare, education, wages, and consumption. Their lack of wealth left them to be victims of the business boom of the 1920s. However, the absence of money did not impede the poor from attempting to live a meager version of the rich’s lifestyle. Destitute women tried to imitate affluent women’s style by wearing similar fashion and makeup, but it they were run-down versions of the true affluent women’s style. The men merely attempted to reach the level of the wealthy by constantly working. Yet, they could never gain enough hours or a steady income to move up from the lower class. The poor’s constant need and want to be like the rich was part of the reason they were ridiculed and ignored by the rest of society. The other part was because they were poor; in the 1920s it was unheard of to mingle with people who were not of the same social class. The rich stuck with the rich and the poor stuck with the poor. This was an unspoken rule of society that everyone

followed.
The 1920s social class system was definitely defined, there was the upper class and the lower class. The upper class was further divided into those with “old money” and those with “new money”. Their place in society was developed based on their wealth and habits in regard to their wealth. Despite having newly acquired money or established money, the upper class was treated with reverence and envy. Within themselves, the “old money-ers” looked down upon the “new money-ers” because of their carefree practices, while the “new money-ers” were indifferent towards the rest of society. The lower class was neglected by society, they were left to deal with poverty-stricken life and struggles on their own. The lifestyle of one in the 1920s was dependent on the social class they fell into; one either lived a life of poise and elegance, of pleasure and bliss, or of hardship and scarcity.