In the 1920s, two influential cultural forces emerged: modernism and traditionalism. These forces represented distinct values that often clashed with each other. Let's delve into these values and how they were manifested in the Flapper/Jazz Music movement and the Nativist/Christian-Fundamentalist movement. Modernism, characterized by a rejection of traditional norms and values, embraces progress, individualism, and cultural innovation. The values associated with modernism in the 1920s included a belief in societal advancement through scientific, technological, and cultural developments; an emphasis on personal freedom, autonomy, and self-expression; a decline in religious influence and a shift towards rationality and skepticism; as well as …show more content…
The rapid advancements in technology during this era revolutionized the way people interacted with products, leading to a consumer-driven economy that defined the decade. The shift towards mass production and advertising strategies transformed the marketplace, enticing individuals to embrace a culture of materialism and excess. Moreover, the changing attitudes towards sex and social interactions during the 1920s further underscored the societal shift towards a more liberated and progressive mindset. The flapper culture, characterized by its rejection of traditional norms and emphasis on individual freedom, epitomized the changing dynamics of relationships and personal expression. This newfound openness towards sexuality and social interactions marked a significant departure from the conservative values of the past, setting the stage for a more liberated future. Looking back at history, the transition from the post-Civil War era in the United States to the dynamic landscape of the 1920s showcases a remarkable evolution in societal norms and values. The period from 1865 to the present day has witnessed a continuous cycle of technological innovation and cultural transformation, shaping the way we perceive and engage with the world around us. As we delve deeper into the history of consumerism, it becomes evident that its roots in the 1920s have had a lasting impact on our modern society, influencing our behaviors, preferences, and perceptions in profound ways. In the complex tapestry of American history from 1865 to the present day, the dynamic interplay between nativists, Christian fundamentalists, and the forces of immigration and modernism has left a lasting impact on society. Nativists, driven by a desire to preserve the cultural identity and economic opportunities of native-born Americans, employed
These modernized changes are cultural echoes that American society faces today. There is an immense amount of advertising on the basis of beauty and sexuality. This work is necessary to understand the flapper and the dynamics that make America modern.
As a nation coming out of a devastating war, America faced many changes in the 1920s. It was a decade of growth and improvements. It was also a decade of great economic and political confidence. However, with all the changes comes opposition. Social and cultural fears still caused dichotomous rifts in American society.
The 1920s were a time of change for the United States. Following the First World War there was a rush of new cultural, social, and artistic dynamism, partly fuelled by the Progressivism movement that was cut short when American entered the Great War. This decade was defined by a change from more rural farm life to industrialism in big cities. The shift from the frugality and traditional family values or previous generations to the happy-go-lucky consumerism and metropolitan life occurred more rapidly than any other social shift in living memory. These swiftly changing tides caused cultural clashes and confrontations throughout the decade as America struggled to define for itself a fresh national identity in the wake of its new position as a world power.
Lindop, Edmund, and Margaret J. Goldstein. America In The 1920s. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group Inc., 2010. Print.
Even though politicians and historians view political cartoons differently, historians can now look back and truly capture the minds of the American people during the 1920s. This political cartoon, “The Modern Devil Fish,” illustrated by Victor Hugo, was published in a 1925 issue of the Chicago Tribune. This specific cartoon was used as propaganda to promote the Prohibition Party and encourage the support of voters by addressing the usual arguments against the legal status of alcohol. It also was used as propaganda to show the far reaching effects of its use on American society, as demonstrated by the labels on each of the octopus’ tentacles, ranging from ‘partnership with thieves’ to ‘traffic in girls’ to ‘political corruption.’ The fight for prohibition had been an ongoing one, but it had become clear to those rallying to ban liquor that the power of the vote would be the only way to ‘slay’ the saloon monstrosity – pictured here as the knife labeled ‘votes,’ driven into the head of the creature by a hand bearing the name of the Prohibition Party. By destroying the center of the problem, saloons, the knife wielding political party is destroying all of the problems connected to it. In reality, the issues on each tentacle were far from solely the fault of alcohol consumption, but the Party was making an effort to get votes and inspire support, thus exaggerating the point of the prohibition issue. The hope of Hugo as he illustrated this cartoon was clear – that people who understood it would recognize the evils of a nation which does not prohibit saloons and the like subjects itself to by not utilizing the ‘knife’ of Prohibition Party votes. The cartoonist with his drawings could say more in one cartoon than could be said by a spee...
The fifties was a learning year and the 60's became the time to express everything that they learned. The 60's was a time for new and innovative ways to entertain the people. Since the blacklisting continued in Hollywood, the making or films became very difficult to express. The restrictions, such as the production codes, kept the big corporations to produce films that had no interesting subjects. These films also had to be films that show no signs of communistic values. The film industry was failing to bring in the audience to the theaters. With the TV making a big wave all over, the U.S. the film industry was losing it is money. Then in 1961 something big happened, 20th Century Fox took apart its lot. This act was one that led to a chain reaction. Studios were assuming the role of distributors. This would allow the independent companies to come in and add a new flavor to the silver screen. During this time films changed it's traditional film making ideas. Things started to get graphic, more violent, sexual and more expressive. Movies had found a new look and with the production codes now gone and the blacklisting ending, there was an explosion of ideas that would be presented to the United States.
After World War 1, America was trying to return to some normalcy in the economy and in society. This period of time led into the 1920s. The decade of the 1920s was a time of modernization for the country but was also a time where Americans tried to return to their traditional values. There is still controversy on whether the 1920s should be recognized for its new values and pop culture, or whether it was just a period of Americans going back to their original values from before the war. The 1920s can’t be recognized as just one of those things, though. As a whole, the 1920s can be viewed mostly as a time of modernization because of events such as the Harlem Renaissance and important inventions like automobiles, but it was also a time when American
disappointment. It was a decade classified as the "roaring twenties." Men returning from World War I had to deal with unemployment, wheat farmers and oil companies were striking it rich, new modern conveniences were being thought up, and fashion was a major issue among the rich.
Between the years of 1910 and 1920, the Silver Era, the United States experienced many firsts. For the first time in history, women were becoming more politically powerful. In 1916, Jeanette Rankin held a seat in the U.S. Congress, making her the first woman ever to do so (Sheet Music...). Four years later in 1920, the nineteenth amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote in political elections. The eighteenth amendment was passed as well, beginning the short-lived prohibition of alcohol. In 1917, the United States became involved in the First World War by declaring war on Germany, three years after its commencement in 1914 by. Also in this decade, the first Trans-Atlantic ocean liner, the Titanic, sunk in 1912, causing over 1, 500 people to die.
The 1920s in American history had been a decade of drastic changes. It was the time when the traditional culture translated into the more modern practices.United States experienced super changes after the Great War had ended. During this decade, more people are moving to big cities and away from the suburbs to work in industrialized factories. Cars such as Ford were mass produced. Advertisement was first created in the age of consumerism. The 1920s, often known in America as the “Roaring Twenties”, is considered as the first modern era in which many advancements and improvements have been made.
The late 1900s were a time of tremendous cultural change and instability in American history, but this change did not begin until after the relative unison of the late forties and fifties. After World War II (1939-1945) ended, a desire for normality led to large scale compliance to social constructs, with people reentering existing expectations such as men working, women tending the homes, and minorities functioning only as second class citizens. Because of these social barriers' reestablishment, conformity was simply the norm.
The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great change and a time of powerful enthusiasm in many areas of society. The world had just finished the biggest war in history, the First World War, and the United States was left almost unharmed by the war. The United States was able to experience a decade of peace and success following the war. During this decade, America became the wealthiest country in the world (Trueman, 2000). The people in the United States went through a colorful period during the twenties. However, at the same time the 1920s was also a very rebellious and difficult time for many. The culture of the 1920s has influenced the culture of America’s society today.
The 1940s changed through just about everything: war, technology, and presidents. After the great depression in the 1920s the American Dream went in a new direction and began the postmodernist era. The American Dream in the 1950s was different from the American Dream in the 1940s because of the culture and by many factors throughout the twenty year span like government, technology, war, and women's rights.
Carlisle, Rodney P. Handbook To Life In America. Volume VI, The Roaring Twenties, 1920 To 1929. Facts on File, 2009. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 30 May 2012