Industrial Advancements In The 1920's

I say this because many Americans who were ignored such as women and African-Americans were now in the limelight for the nation to see. With women finally getting the right to vote with the passing of the 19th amendment, the stage was set for Women to have a dominant role in 1920’s culture. Progressive Women during this time, also known as flappers, were distinct from other women as they behaved and dressed in a boldly unconventional manner. These women pushed for and promoted their agenda, which included women’s suffrage, the repeal of prohibition, and the push for having more women in the workforce. Similarly, a number of African-Americans were also emerging from a history subjugation.

After the 19th amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote, woman began leaving behind their traditional roles and taking on new responsibilities, fashion trends and claiming their independence. (Doc 5.The New Woman). The younger generation of ladies in the 1920s surfaced into what is know as a flapper. Flappers listened to jazz music, embraced risqué fashion trends, and took part in bold behavior, which challenged their stereotype and led to more tension. The need breed of woman wanted to be accepted by the older generation, who often judged and disagreed with their new lifestyle.

During the “Gilded Age”, America made numerous improvements to the functions and development of society. This was a time of renaissance in the United States, shortly after leaving a state of depression caused by the civil war and the reconstruction of our nation from World War I. We made break thorough advancements and improvements that allowed us to be where we are today. The “Gilded Age” was pivotal to the growth of our nation as a whole and led us to be as developed as we are. The three most important improvements to America through the “Gilded Age” were industrialization, transportation, and the appearance of wealth.

The Roaring Twenties was a prime era for women. Because of the toils of many strong women, ideals were flipped on their head, to America’s benefit. In the late 1800’s, two women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, quickly realized that women would not be able to share their political views unless given the right to vote. Because of the fact that women had basically no other societal roles besides housework, they were not respected during this time period. So the two women teamed up and spent the rest of their lives fighting for the women’s suffrage movement.

Railroads had a major impact on advancing the American economy, transforming America into a modern society, and improving an antiquated transportation system. The building of railroads created rapid economic growth in America. Railroad companies employed more than one million workers to build and maintain railroads. At the same time, coal, timber, and steel industries employed thousands of workers to provide the supplies necessary to build railroads (Chapter 12 Industrialization). In turn, railroad companies spent large sums of money purchasing railroad supplies.

Women suffrage is women gaining the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony was a very important person in this movement. The first major meeting of women to discuss their rights was in Seneca Falls, NY. A document similar to the declaration of independence was written by women. It listed the grievances, or issues, that women had with society, it was named the Declaration of Sentiments.

When we go back to 19th century that was the time when it was witnessed that the male suffrage was prevailing in a number of countries and women suffrage was not there and somehow it ignited a spark among women to fight for themselves and for their rights so that they could be treated as humans and not as animals. In the year 1893, women were able to achieve equal voting rights at national level in New Zealand. The same pattern was followed in Australia in 1902. However, in America, England and Canada women could achieve same voting rights only after the First World War ended. Then came into being the famous movement called The Suffrage Movement during which the women fought for their equal voting rights which all men were enjoying at that time because they were of the view that they were a part of the society too and they deserve all the rights to elect their representatives.

During the 1920s and 1930s jazz began to be popular and interesting among young people, black and whites. They were attracted by the freedom and artistic nature of it. When white popular musicians started to integrate the Bebop style with their own music, it became that much more popular, not only in America, but around the world. Jazz became a way to unify cultures through music. It helped to bring down barriers.

In The Great Gatsby, author F. Scott Fitzgerald displayed both positive and negative aspects of the Jazz Age through several characters, symbols, and events. The Jazz Age, as said before, was a very upbeat time in American history, where there was an abundance of wealth, good feeling, and rebellion among the new generation. Fitzgerald himself says that the

• This encouraged the popularity and growth of jazz music. • Jazz went from only playing in New Orleans to becoming a staple of the America airwaves, dance halls and homes” • The 1930’s brought a new style of jazz “big band swing”. These musical ensembles associated with the swing era. They generally consisted of 12 to 25 musicians. • Swing has a rhythmic feeling of a combination of tension and relaxation.