1920's

The time period of the roaring twenties was a very prosperous time for America both economically and socially. The creation of the skyscraper represented Americas new ascendancy and aspirations. America was now becoming more innovative with architecture by getting both bigger and better. The rich contributed to the atmosphere of the 1920s by showing how a lavish lifestyle made people think opportunity was limitless and the streets were paved with gold. People were living very lavish lifestyles. A lot of people had yachts, cars, lavish homes, maids, and threw expensive parties which only added to the hopes and dreams of those striving to achieve this lifestyle. Harlem became the capital of Jazz where Louie Armstrong and Duke Ellington started the frontier of jazz music. It became something of a hub for jazz and fantasies. The Harlem Renaissance was full of art and entertainment. African Americans had a lot of pride during this time and this area was less oppressive and had less segregation. Three new technologies that affected the majority of Americans were the light bulb and electricity, more affordable cars and highways/bridges/tunnels, and advertisement. Affordable electricity allowed for work at night and night activities. Now there is night life in the 20’s. More affordable cars allowed for more efficient traveling. You can go further in less time. With advertising now there is credit and a crazy consumer market. Now everything could be bought on time and payed for later. Now by 1927, 75 percent of all household things were bough with credit. The radio became a nationwide phenomenon and now everyone could hear news faster. Women now could get more careers and income. Women got more freedom and could now vote from the 19th amendment. Women lived for themselves not just men as they went out to parties. Women become more edgy as they wore short dresses called flappers that showed a lot of skin. Vamps were the women who wore these dresses and were very daring. People wanted the benefits of the future but the familiar comforts of the past and this soon became a social conflict. They knew they could not have both and this created physiological tension. The KKK saw a huge rise as they claimed to stand for true Americanism. They represent themselves as defending American Ideals, anyone who is not part of the WASP acronym is terrorized. They even seized political control in certain states. Four million people soon became affiliated with the KKK organization. A new American hero by the name of Lindbergh broke boundaries and frontiers. He was daring and people aspired to his bravery. He was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic. Many had failed and died but Lindbergh succeeded. This showed old fashion values of bravery which Americans adored. "Blue Skies" was a significant song because it represented the bubbling wealth and the stock market as it played at the presidential inauguration. It represents the good times of the 20's.