Tension in the Twenties

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Tension in the Twenties

All major societies throughout our world's history have experienced periods of major change. Tension inevitably arises as a result of the new environments in which the people live. Our country is no exception, especially through the era known as the Roaring Twenties. Just being another decade on the timeline was not good enough for the 1920s. When its brief turn came, it had to be the biggest, the loudest, and the brightest. A calamity gave it birth, and a calamity ended it. As a result of World War I, major economic, social, and political alterations were born; yet more importantly, the tension that arouse due to these results would change America forever.

One of the most important factors that led to the Roaring Twenties was the fact that America had just been subjected to a grueling war. During the war, much melancholy and anguish was built up by both the soldiers in Europe, and their families back home. With all this misery being built up, an explosion of patriotism and the need to let loose, relax and have as much fun as possible erupted.

During the time period, many aspects of American culture were changing, which in turn helped to mount the increasing tension. As a result of the industrialization and mass-production techniques, the lifestyles of many citizens changed. More and more people left their rural dwellings for an increased chance of happiness in the big cities that were arising everywhere. This new rapid lifestyle began to deteriorate many traditional values that the more old-fashioned populace held valuable.

More and more impressive inventions that made incredible impacts on the society also occurred during this time. The automobile gave teens greater freedom and en...

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...old times of oppressed minorities. They look out for themselves, who they describe as being "unspoiled."

Probably one of the biggest shifts in the value system came from the dominance of the new, looser morals that resulted in fewer marriages, and more frequent divorces. Up until the 1920s, the rate of marriages was increasing much more so than that of divorces. However, during the period, these statistics reversed themselves. Much more divorces and decreased marriages reflected how people began to do what they sought after, as opposed to relying on society [DOC H].

The tension that occurred during the 1920s reshaped American lives. It allowed people to relieve themselves of their tensions, and developed an independent pride that the people could carry with them. Many conflicts occurred, but without them, America would not be as great as it is today.

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