Consumerism In The 1920s

1920s Advertising During the 1920s, advertisement started to increase and expand. Many ideas and tactics were used to lure the attention of the consumers. After World War I, America started to grow with a stable and growing economy. This flourishment made many American's live out the 1920s in prosperity.

The government expanded dramatically during World War one, so many American constituents were

1920’s DBQ The 1920’s were a period of tension between the traditionalists and modernists. The tension between these two groups was aroused by the economical advancements, social developments, and cultural changes in the 1920s. These tensions were manifested by the economic outburst and the passing of certain laws.

Throughout history, there have been many ups and downs within American society. One period of time in which American economy was undoubtedly booming was the 1920s. The 1920s were a such an important period that there was even a name to define it - the Golden Age. As the Prohibition progressed, public disregard for the Prohibition led to significant changes in American culture. In addition to this, Prohibition enforcement was also occurring.

The ascension of the American economy has been imminent ever since the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. The Spanish-American War asserted the United States as a world superpower as the U.S., not only beat the Spanish, but also acquired many of her territories to kick off this new “American Empire”. The economic upsurge of the roaring twenties echoed this sentiment. After a major victory in the Great War, the United States directly transitioned into a phase of economic prosperity which appeared to be evident in all facets of American life. During the roaring twenties, the United States established themselves as the world world capital of Industry, Technology, and Culture.

Both sides of the Nineteen Twenties Americans living in the 1920’s faced both times of prosperity and hardships. During this time, many companies grew, creating new jobs. Wages were increased and new products were able to be afforded and purchased. Mass consumption which included advertising and new goods like the automobile and radio brought new freedoms to society. The production of the automobile not only created better jobs and wages for the working class, it also offered affordable automobiles that soon became necessities for every household.

In the 1920’s, movies became an important American pastime that evolved because of new technology, the end of World War I, and the economic boom of the 1920’s. Movies became a common American pastime; they evolved from silent movies to talkies, movies with a synchronized soundtrack. Movies played a huge part of the 1920’s by influencing culture and society because of how accessible and entertaining they were, and changed morals and expectations of media. Before the 1920’s, movies were in its infancy stages. The ideas of movies were first thought of by Athanasius Kircher in the 16th century.

During the Gilded Age, the economy was growing and rapidly urbanizing. The development of the transport network that was mainly via railroads increased the efficiency of communication and movement of people and goods. There was a significant shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial one. Many Americans moved from the rural areas to the rapidly growing urban areas . The economy gave birth to a middle class and consumerism in the cities.

However, for a small handful of young people such as Orval and Mary, the 1920s is roaring indeed. The Birth of Mass Culture During the 1920s, many Americans have extra money to spend, and they spend it on many consumer goods such as clothes and, in particular, radios. The first commercial radio

Imperialism established a framework for the conduct of international relations throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries all throughout Europe and then to America. As the Europeans were experience a massive growth in population, it brought the growth of nationwide economies, including the development in shipbuilding and navigation, so that they could compete more effectively in the mercantile trade, which was gaining momentum during the earliest 19th century. As we discussed in class, that the rebirth of commerce also gave a powerful impulse to the forces of centralization and nationalism, it also builds an authoritative new monarchic nations. These monarchic leaders tried to unite their claims by using power, thus encouraging and promoting the economic development of their nations. European nations involved in the trading system with the wealthy nations of Asia, Africa and the New World, wanted better and more effective routes of transportations.

The Roaring Twenties During the 1920s, Americans were introduced to many new products including ready-made exact size clothing, electric phonographs, electric vacuum cleaners, and radios (The Consumer Economy and Mass Entertainment). As soldiers returned from WWI, they brought new ideas, began to challenge society’s traditions and pushed for women’s independence. The soldiers had seen a new and different world in Europe and wanted to bring those traditions to America (Jarmul). The large sacrifices of the wartime era were no longer a part of everyday life (“The Decade That Roared”).

The Roaring ‘20’s were a time of change and prosperity for the people of America. Now that World War I was over, people had a reason to celebrate! Cities grew larger, consumer culture expanded, and there was a “revolution” in morals and manners. This represented great liberation from the oppression of the Victorian past. The United States was certainly changing in many ways.