Music Production and The Prohibition Era in the 1920´s

1553 Words4 Pages

The 1920’s were a time of growth and innovation. The workforce was getting bigger, women finally had the right to vote, and African Americans started to integrate and migrate from the south to the north looking for jobs. The result was a larger working class and the creation of a new, middle class. Society became more consumer-based, allotting for more leisure time. Times could not get any better. Business was booming, America was turning into a world power, skyscrapers dotted the skylines, and a new music started to sweep the nation. However, not everything was good. There was a huge spike in crime, and the heroes of society were also the biggest criminals. Due to Jazz Age and prohibition, the 1920’s were an intense time period with a newfound drive for innovation, the new woman, and a loss of structure. Jazz and prohibition gave spirit to the air in the 1920’s, and people could not get enough. America was diversifying as African-Americans moved towards the north looking for opportunity. However, they were not the only ones. There was a huge increase to the amount of immigrants that were coming out of foreign countries in search of the same work. There was an aura about the 20’s that gave everyone the sense of opportunity, innovation and excelling. It is representative of the American dream, and the promise that one can obtain all of their wildest dreams. The promise of something new captivates the 20’s, whether it is searching for an identity or the creation of something where no one has gone before. The writers of this time encapsulate this ideology perfectly, “There was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, … an extra-ordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I ne... ... middle of paper ... ...pirit of innovation in the air, women taking on new and exciting roles within society, and a rise of crime and chaos. The movements of Jazz and Prohibition were essential to the formation of the American society at this point in time. With the innovation in writing, dance and music was substantial to the ideals of American life. The new woman fought for what she believed and wanted equal rights. However, for as many who wanted to reform society, there were some on the other side of the spectrum that just wanted to have fun, while disregarding authority. The spike in crime was attributed to two things: the first being the KKK with their terror tactics, and the disdain towards other ethnic groups. The second being bootlegging, creating the alcohol that people were not allow to have. The ideologies from the 20’s stem from the movements of the Jazz Age and Prohibition.

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