...The American society has changed drastically from 1920 to present day 2014. Over the last 100 years there has been transformations in lots of things which has changed the way America is viewed today. There has been many major culture booms such as the type of clothing worn, the music that is produced,the way different races are treated and multiple other reasons. The 1920’s, sometimes referred to as the roaring twenties were characterized by economic prosperity and tremendous social,artistic, and cultural dynamism.The twenties witnessed the large scale of cars, telephones, motion pictures and electricity. The demand and aspirations bought out significant changes in lifestyle and culture. Popular culture in the 1920’s was characterized by the innovation in film, radio, music, fashion, dance, literature and intellectual movements.The 20’s was often referred to as the “Jazz Age”, Jazz music experienced a dramatic surge in popularity.George Gerswin wrote Rhapsody in blue And in American in Paris. Eddie Lang and Joe Ventuiti While the first musicians to incorporate the guitar and Violin into jazz.Dance clubs became extremely popular.Dances such as the waltz, foxtrot ,and the tango were the most popular.There was a variety of novelty dances during this period which were the break way,and he lindy hop, which eventually evolved into the swing.Before world war one woman started to migrate towards the cities,during world war two they started to work in factories.After WWI woman found...
Words: 1703 - Pages: 7
...until the telegraph was developed. Prior to the telegraph, politics and business were constrained by geography. There is a historical importance of the telegraph and its connection to present state of technology in communication. Communication is an essential part of this modern world and it has significantly evolved over the years. It has affected society both the political and economic system, it could be regarded as a power system. Telegraph laid the groundwork for the communication revolution which led to later innovations. There have been several forms of telegraphs over the years, from nonelectrical to electrical. According to Elon.edu the very first telegraph was nonelectric, which was created by Claude Chappe in 1794. This telegraph depended on a single line for slight communication. Later on many more improved telegraphs were invented. For instance in 1809 a crude telegraph was invented by Samuel Scemmering. This telegraph used gold electrode wires in water at the receiving end which was 2000 feet. The message was read by the amount of gas caused by electrolysis (elon.edu). Samuel Morse was one of the most important people in the history of telegraph. He was a professor of arts and design at New York University in 1835. Morse code was a technique invented by him, which is a set of sounds that corresponded to particular letters of the alphabet. He was not the first to think about the idea; however, he was the first to get political approval. A...
Words: 2372 - Pages: 10
...Topic: Prohibition and Its Harmful Effects Since the beginning of the eighteenth century, early colonists have attempted to control the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Prominent people like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were once leading figures in the Temperance movements that started in early Colonial times. The first temperance society in the United States was begun in New York in 1808 which begun a long battle between reformers and the American public for years to come. The modern movement for prohibition had its main growth in the United States and developed largely as of the agitation of the nineteenth century temperance movements (Colliers Encyclopedia 97). When World War I began the idea of prohibition was thought to be a way to keep the country patriotic and at the same time strong. A phrase that was commonly heard was “A drunk worker is not a productive worker” (McDonnel 394). Prohibition proved to be very difficult to enforce and at the same time the overall effect did more harm to the United States than good. In the United States constitution, amendment eighteen which was passed in 1919 stated that “ After one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverages purposes is hereby prohibited.” Throughout...
Words: 1718 - Pages: 7
...THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND THE STOCK MARKET CRASH An Introduction The stock market crash The stock market was created on 1792 to allow stocks and bonds to be traded “bought and sold”. A “stock market crash” is the steep fall of the prices of stocks due to widespread financial panic. America experienced an era of great peace and prosperity during the 1920s. After World War I, the so-called “Roaring Twenties” economic and cultural boom was fueled by industrialization and the popularization of new technologies such as radio and the automobile. Air flight was becoming common as well. The Dow stock average soared throughout the Roaring Twenties and many investors aggressively purchased shares, comforted by the fact that stocks were thought to be extremely safe by most economists due to the country’s powerful economic boom. Investors soon purchased stocks on margin, which is the borrowing of stock for the purpose of gaining financial leverage. For every dollar invested, a margin user would borrow nine dollars worth of stock. The use of leverage meant that if a stock went up 1%, the investor would make 10%. Unfortunately, leverage also works the other way around and amplifies even minor losses. In 1929, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates several times in an attempt to cool the overheated economy and stock market. On Thursday, October 24th 1929, a spate of panic selling occurred as investors began to realize that the stock boom was...
Words: 2255 - Pages: 10
...A History of the Great Depression During the 1920s, the U.S faced a time of great prosperity. Often referred to as the “Roaring Twenties”, this period brought many increasing riches and wealth. Many, lulled by the decadence of the era believed that the good times would last forever. Looking back, many would see the naivety which colored their views on what would end up being for many, artificial wealth. For, the 1930’s ushered in an era of economic collapse that would overshadow history and adequately be deemed the “Great Depression”. Ironically, the roaring twenties became a precursor to the Great Depression leading to one of the main causes, the stock market crash of 1929. The economic growth of the 1920s was unparalleled to any previous time. The United States during the 20s experienced a wave of new technology and growth. Silent Films, which could be viewed on one of the newest inventions, the television had experienced a surge of popularity as well as radios. With the increase in factories came new methods of mass production, which made the automobile affordable now to many households (Scaliger). Skyscrapers were beginning to dot landscapes in larger cities seeming to support the notions of the decade that the sky was the limit. Underneath the glitz and glamour, though a startling truth was starting to emerge. The economic growth of the past decade was partially a façade created by an abundance of newly printed money. (Scaliger). Inexperience combined with arrogance...
Words: 1846 - Pages: 8
...supply are affected. We see how an economy can be booming one minute, and then it all come crashing down the next. We are shown how people can be caught up in the good times, only to have to face dark times to come. The video begins on July 28, 1932 with the Bonus Army of ex-servicemen asking the government for their bonus checks. These checks were not due to be distributed until 1945. These servicemen had fought in the World War I and had nothing left. They had no jobs and had lost everything during this dark time in history. They were stopped from marching to Washington by the police, and current servicemen were brought in to help stop them. They did not understand how the economy had been so good, but now they had nothing. Back in the 1860’s the economy begin to build up until the Great Depression. The country was abundant in many resources such as energy, coal, labor, and oil. There were few trade unions around, and immigrants provided cheap labor. It was said that anyone could be a millionaire if they just worked hard enough. Confidence was building up in the economy. On July 28, 1914, World War I began in Europe. European industrial jobs were taken over. This war made America strong and Europe poorer. America was able to sell goods worldwide without having to worry about competition. This continued to boost the economy. We start to see in the video the effects of supply and demand in the economy. After the war ended in 1918, the economy continued to grow. In 1920, great...
Words: 643 - Pages: 3
...The Advancement of Women Tammy Phillips HIS 204 Instructor Vera Parham January 8, 2014 The Advancement of Women Through History Women’s Rights have grown stronger through the years. Women have gone from being seen and not heard to having a voice, supporting war multiple war efforts, and becoming politicians. In the landmark case of Roe verses Wade gave women the right to own their own body with the decision of whether or not to have an abortion. Women were battling for equality as well as the right to vote. This suffrage was a long drawn out battle through the years but finally was won. Women’s roles during all three wars, the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II, included nurses, clerical positions, and they back filled spouse’s duties at home. A “New Woman came about in the 1920s as women changed their attitude along with hair, make-up and attitude. All of the progressions were won due to persistence. Women have played a significant throughout the wars in America, not just stateside but abroad. “The Spanish-American War created a substantial need for military nurses” (Small, 1998). Dr Anita Newcomb McGee became the nurse’s bureau chief. This was the first time contract nurses were hired to in military hospital. In September 1918, 1,100 nurses were serving in the United and overseas. During World War I women were allowed to serve in non-nursing positions performing clerical duties. 34,000 women served in the military and 10,000 served as...
Words: 2479 - Pages: 10
...WWII was critical to the degree at which swing influenced the development of American identity; not only through recognition of social inequalities, but furthering the development of a musical identity that still influences the modern sounds of our ever-changing culture. Why Swing Swung What separates you from others can appropriately be deemed as a series of conflict’s, conflict is critical to the development of identity; without conflict the unconscious perception of us, them, we or they would not exist. Humans being naturally prone to argument create a cultural identity designed around the conflicts in which a number of people are affected, in turn allowing people to identify with each other through common grounds; unintentionally creating a communication barrier between them and us. This model although small demonstrates how groups are formed, and can be projected upon the development of a musical identity within America during the Second World War. Possibly seen as the largest conflict in recorded history, World War II set the boundaries for numerous identities; creating a conscious affiliation of differences, people now identified themselves through stereotypes that otherwise would not have developed. Most of these conflicts or stereotypes would happen to be woven inside the United States due to propaganda: a necessary war tool developed to instill a feeling of pride and ensure a feeling of togetherness. It’s questionable if the attack on Pearl Harbor was Americas first...
Words: 1525 - Pages: 7
...Aren Lim Jimmy Lopez Ryu Masuda Michael Ta American Literature Period 2 May 13, 2014 The Jazz Age As the 19th century came to an end, the start of a meaningless war triggered an era known as The Great Jazz Age. The year was 1914, as the world came together and fought in a useless war. The naive Americans partied as news spread that the war had ended. By 1920, F. Scott Fitzgerald coined the term, The Jazz age when he published his successful book, This side of Paradise. This era was sparked with ideas of jovial times and world peace. F. Scott Fitzgerald quoted, “Though the Jazz Age continued it became less and less an affair of youth. The sequel was like a children's party taken over by the elders.” The music was louder and the alcohol consumption was stronger. The correlation of people and alcohol consumption was increasing as the expansion of rebellious youths and usage of Jazz music increased. The effects of the war, triggered an unconditional response that changed American ideals. As hands shook, and papers were signed, Armistice Day marked the end of World War One and ignited a new beginning for America. Everyone celebrated the American victory of the biggest war of the time. In a way, the end of the war was a wake up call. The war helped open people’s eyes and made them realize that life was short and you should cherish every moment you have. Everything seemed to conveniently fall into place. Soldiers were reunited with their families, and the economy blossomed...
Words: 1631 - Pages: 7
...Media, Medicine and American Expectations What constitutes the media? Changed over time? What constitutes medicine? Health or health culture as alternate name to describe what course encompasses? Bert Hanson – medical breakthrough = social phenomenon * How has promise of medical breakthroughs influenced: media culture and patients expectations relationship between medicine and media place of medicine in American political culture How and why does the medical community use media to communicate with public? Increasingly interdependent spheres w/ differing perspectives on vision of media’s role is in “media-ted” world What makes health “news”? Producing Medical Heroes How and why has American society selected its medical heroes? How has this changed over time? What functions do depictions of heroic doctors (Walter Reed, and House, M.D.) and patients serve? How have fictional medical characters – in novels, Hollywood films, on TV – shaped expectations of medical culture? VD, HIV, and the Media How did the media contribute to the publics perception of venereal diseases and HIV? What images (both visual, and stories told to make a point) came most powerfully to cultural prominence? What were the aims of medical and public health authorities, the state, and media professionals in working to make those images publically visible? What role did the media play in changing public’s image of HIV? Stigmatization, Destigmatization, and Medical...
Words: 4711 - Pages: 19
...Loren Pilon Paventi SUNY US History March 11th, 2013 Birth of the Great Depression: Causes of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 It was a time of great economic growth in the United States after World War I. The economy was growing rapidly, fueled by industrialization and the rapid development of new technologies such as the automobile, electricity, telephone, aviation and radio. Many people and businesses began investing in the stock market at this time. The stock market is the organized trading of stocks. The owning of stocks gave people partial ownership of a company while infusing cash into the company. In return, people earned money on their investment as the company grew. The stock market provides financial support required by large business to establish and expand their enterprises. This in turn allows companies to grow and increase employment, provide a community tax base, and other financial benefits for the people and the economy. In the 1920’s the stock market boomed. During the 1920’s people were enthusiastic and more willing to take risks. They brought this attitude to the stock market, causing stock prices to increase exponentially. However, the severely overpriced and unaffordable stocks and willingness of the people to carelessly invest their money lead to one of the darkest days in U.S. history: October 29th, 1929. This is the day the stock market crashed, known in infamy as Black Tuesday. The stock market crash of 1929 was caused by numerous flaws in economic...
Words: 2808 - Pages: 12
...Beshears, Laura: Honorable Style in Dishonorable Times: American Gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s Journal of American Culture (33:3) [Sep 2010] , p.197-206. Honorable Style in Dishonorable Times: American Gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s Laura Beshears. The Journal of American Culture. Malden: Sep 2010. Vol. 33, Iss. 3; pg. 197, 10 pgs Abstract (Summary) Prohibition, which came into effect in July of 1920 with the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment, also illustrated the progressives' idealism, as many believed that the elimination of alcohol, because it allegedly created "poverty, marital distress, and negligence," would cleanse society (Mordden 141). [...] the birth of the radio and the movies as well as the development of flight induced excitement and fostered a vision of a society engaged in perpetual technological advancement (Mordden 47). [...] Horatio Alger, Jr. and his late nineteenth-century books- portraits of men who, born underprivileged, rose to wealth and success through hard work, honesty, self-confidence, commitment, and a bit of luck (Weiss 53-54) - characterized the progressive spirit, as it encouraged people to work hard for a better future and for the fulfillment of the American dream. Full Text (5892 words) Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Sep 2010 "You don't need to be ordering fancy duds," Frankie Rio advised his boss as a tailor took measurements of Capone's swollen physique at the Lexington Hotel. "You're going to prison. Why don't you...
Words: 6179 - Pages: 25
...The Boogeyman Coming to America Stephen King, a well-known horror novelist, has brought fear into the minds and hearts of many through his gruesome tales and horrific imagery. He makes us look twice before we turn the lights off at night. But what makes a whole society become scared? Well on two occasions, there were situations in which the society of the United States fell victim to fear. This fear brought two separate movements to try and keep the “Boogeyman” from trying to get into the United States. These movements were both commonly known as the Red Scare. This scare was willing to take anyone as it’s victim. Celebrities, politicians, or common Americans were all vulnerable to this phenomena that brought forth a Salem Witch Trial type of environment. The government of the United States of America tried to take many precautions, whether it was a success or failure, to try and prevent the spread of Communism in a country that is considered the greatest country on the Earth. Whenever there is a moment in history that brings on a mass hysteria, it shows what kind of people are really out there lurking around. This moment in history illustrates what happens during hysteria and what it makes people do in a time in which a common fear is shared amongst individuals of a society. “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” - Stephen King (269) This quote illustrates the moment in time just before the second Red Scare. Unlike the first Red Scare, this Red...
Words: 3891 - Pages: 16
...member) when they met their boyfriend. How did the First World War change the lives of women? * During the war, women began to work in areas like heavy industry. They proved they could work as well as men. By 1929, there were 10 million women workers; a rise of 24% since 1920. * Working gave women independence and they began smoking and drinking in public. * Women were given the vote in August 1920 but few were chosen to be actual politicians. * Production of consumer goods such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines meant women had more time for leisure activities. * Flappers emerged in the 1920’s = women from middle and upper class families from the Northern States. They cut their hair in short bobs, wore make up, short skirts and bright clothes. They also smoked and drank in public, went to speakeasies, danced the Charleston with men and listened to Jazz and drove cars and motorbikes. * BUT many groups, particularly in rural areas thought the flappers were too outrageous. * Hollywood saw the emergence of female stars such as Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson who * were female role models. * Advertising was aimed at women for the new consumer goods of the 1920s e.g in 1925 Ford introduced colours other than black for his Model T to appeal to women. * Divorce rate doubled between 1914-1929...
Words: 6533 - Pages: 27
...There are several factors that can influence justice in America. I find that you can read and work up information all day on justice in America as far back as history goes. The constitution of the United States Supreme Court helps set careers and regulations of factors that do influence America. Some of them can vary in topics from your race, crime, prisons, policing, and courts. Organized crime may be defined as systematically unlawful activity for profit on city guide interstate and even international scale. Crime organized keeps their illegal operations percent and members confer by word of mouth. Gangs sometimes become sufficiently symptomatic to the call organized. The act of engaging in criminal activity as a structural group in referred in the United States as racketeering. The criminal organization depends on the part of support from the society in which it extends. It is frequently expedient for it to compromise some of society’s upright memories, especially people in the judiciary, police forces, legislature, and cultivation of mutually dependent relationships with legitimate business. The five factors that influence a justice decision are Constitution, Precedent, Judicial Philosophy, Intent, and Public Opinion. According to an article I read in a book from David O. Carpenter the Constitution states, “We, the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote...
Words: 2156 - Pages: 9