Prof.

Beurtheret HIST-1700
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................ 1
Economy..................................................................................................................... 1
Democracy and Freedom............................................................................................ 3
Political Events........................................................................................................... 5
Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 7
References.................................................................................................................. 8

Abstract
The decade of the 1920s in America is popularly remembered as The Roaring Twenties. To
examine The Roaring Twenties, I will first present the boom and crash of the U.S. economy;
then, the various debates involved with democracy and freedom; and finally, the unique political
events that stemmed from this decade. Americas economy experienced a time of great industrial
growth, and also the beginning of the Great Depression. The 1920s was also a time where the
people sought after more civil liberties, and they wanted less government regulation in their
lives. Americans were less active in government elections, and voter participation was lower than
in decades before, but conservative Republicans were still the majority. For America, the Roaring
Twenties seemed to be a time of extreme ups and downs; the debate over democracy and
freedom continued; and the political events reflected the citizens beliefs.

Introduction
To understand more about American history, a person should examine the distinctive
decade of the Roaring Twenties. American history encompasses events in the discovery,
colonization, and development of the American continent; whereas, the decade of the Roaring
Twenties was a fraction of Americas history. Why was this decade in American history different
than any other decade? To examine the Roaring Twenties, I will first present the boom and crash
of the U.S. economy; then, the various debates involved with democracy and freedom; and
finally, the unique political events that stemmed from this decade. The Roaring Twenties seemed
to be a time of extreme ups and downs indeed.

Economy
Americas economy in the 1920s experienced a time of great industrial growth, and also
the beginning of the Great Depression. Economy is defined as the management of the resources
of a community, country, etc., especially with a view to its productivity (Dictionary.com
Unabridged). One of the main reasons this decade is known as the Roaring twenties, is because
of how much Americas economy increased, nearly doubling in its wealth. In popular memory,
the decade that followed World War I is recalled as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties
(Foner, p. 610). Many Americans wanted to participate in a booming stock market, get rich
quickly, and the Government was also supporting the same cause. Rarely in American history
had economic growth seemed more dramatic, cooperation between business and government so
close, and business values so widely shared (Foner, p. 610). New businesses were starting up
everywhere, and corporations were getting bigger.
Corporations had a big influence on the American economy. Corporations are defined as
A business organization owned by a group of stockholders, each of whom enjoys limited
liability. A corporation has the ability to raise capital by selling stock to the public
(Dictionary.com Unabridged). Manufacturers were producing consumer goods at much faster
speeds, all of which the radio and movies helped to spread this popular culture across the nation.
Americans who owned cars tripled in number, because of Henry Fords factory innovations, and
many other motor vehicle goods increased. Americans had a great desire for consumer goods,
and sought to buy anything that would make their life more comfortable. This consumer lifestyle
was encouraged by commercial marketing, advertising, and salesman. People purchased all sorts
of new household appliances, which made life easier at home, and also gave them more leisure
time. Going to the movie theaters, sporting events, and vacations were popular activities.
Purchasing consumer goods by credit, and going into debt, became a common practice in the
cities. Spending money for consumption and entertainment replaced other financial values such
as saving income. For example, "Widespread acceptance of going into debt to purchase
consumer goods replaced the values of thrift and self-denial, central to nineteenth-century
notions of upstanding character (Foner, p. 611). Most prosperity of the economy was happening
in the cities, and citizens were moving to where they could find good jobs there and for the
first time most people lived in urban areas and in homes lit by electricity (Oxford University
Press).

The population in cities started to increase, and living in urban areas was different than
living in farmlands. For example, even though all of this prosperity and spending was going on
in the city, the farmers did not have access to much of the prosperity there. A large portion of
rural Americans did not agree with the urban lifestyle, because they held traditional moral
beliefs, which caused social tensions. The 1920s was a decade of profound social tensions
between rural and urban Americans, traditional and modern Christianity, participants in the
burgeoning consumer culture, and those who did not fully share in the new prosperity (Foner, p.
610). The 1920s was a hard time for farmers in rural areas. Farmers did not experience the
wealth and success that other commercial jobs were making at this time. Their economy
increased during World War 1, but after the war ended there was less need for food to feed
soldiers, and prices of food dropped. During the war, many farmers had bought more land by
credit, which was eventually foreclosed by the banks during the decade of 1920. Because of the
rural depression, a large amount of people moved to California where there was more increasing
industries. In California, they needed laborers for producing oil, cars, airplanes, and other goods.
Because of the depression in rural areas the population of California significantly increased.
Even though there was prosperity in the city, there was also signs of trouble in the economy.
The boom in production was being distributed unequally, and a small portion of firms had
more power in the economy, making themselves corporations. As a result of the American
spending patterns, by 1929 many people had no money in savings, and there was a large number
of people living in poverty. Unemployment was rising because manufacturing workers were less
needed, and there was competition between companies for lower wage workers. "Despite
Americas underlying economic problems, businessmen like Henry Ford and engineers like
Herbert Hoover were cultural heroes. Photographers like Lewis Hine and Margaret BourkeWhite and painters like Charles Sheeler celebrated the beauty of machines and factories" (Foner,
p. 613). Because of the success of these people in business, they were used as examples by
public relations departments, to encourage people to support corporate businesses. And of
course, stock brokers encouraged citizens to invest money into the stock market.
The stock market gained more popularity as the prices of stock were rising, and more
citizens than ever before started to invest their money. The Stock Exchange is defined as an
association of brokers and dealers in stocks and bonds who meet together and transact business
according to fixed rules (Dictionary.com Unabridged). Americas investments were becoming
the leader in the world now, because Europe was slowly mending its economy from the
devastation of World War 1. America already had multinational corporations, but they were
starting to become more noticed, and rise in attractiveness. In the 1920s, as the steadily rising
price of stocks made front-page news, the market attracted more investors. Many assumed that
stock values would keep rising forever (Foner, p. 613). Some media companies posted cover
stories about the stock market, saying that it was invincible. There were speculators who were
saying that the stock market would crash, but most people did not believe them, because at the
beginning of the decade there were signs of continuing prosperity. It was not until the end of the
decade that the stock market crashed, which came as a surprise to many Americans
On October 29, 1929, Black Tuesday hit Wall Street as investors traded some 16 million
shares on the New York Stock Exchange in a single day. Billions of dollars were lost,
wiping out thousands of investors. In the aftermath of Black Tuesday, America and the
rest of the industrialized world spiraled downward into the Great Depression (1929-39),
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the deepest and longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western
industrialized world up to that time (A&E Television Networks).
Mass amounts of people started losing jobs, and there was no food for them. People who had
moved from the farm into the city now moved back to the farmlands in order to have food. The
Great Depression in America also effected other countries around the world, and other countries
were not able to pay back debt that they owed to the U.S. The Great Depression effected
factories, businesses, banks, and families. "Throughout the industrial world, banks failed as
depositors withdrew money, fearful that they could no longer count on the promise to redeem
paper money in gold. Millions of families lost their life savings" (Foner, p. 633). Thus, the
American economy in The Roaring Twenties experienced abundant industrial growth and
prosperity, but also a devastating crash to the bottom.

Democracy and Freedom

The 1920s was a time where people wanted more civil liberties, and they wanted less
government regulation in their lives. The definition of Civil Rights means that privileges are
granted to every citizen of the United States by the constitution and all of its amendments. Equal
protection is guaranteed to every one regardless of race, colour and creed (even though racism
still existed in 1920) (Dictionary). Citizens continued to fight for their individual rights,
freedom of speech, and legal protection from the government. "In the name of a new freedom
for the individual, the 1920s saw the birth of a coherent concept of civil liberties and the
beginnings of significant legal protection for freedom of speech against the government" (Foner,
p. 619). The debate over freedom involved businesses in America as well. The idea of Big
Business, where there was a strong economy as well as a private life from government, was
being spread throughout the country.
Labor Unions went into decline, being replaced by private employee plans. The idea of
private business rights, aside from government regulation and unions, became accepted because
"employers in the 1920s embraced the American Plan, at whose core stood the open shopa
workplace free of both government regulation and unions, except, in some cases, company
unions created and controlled by management" (Foner, p. 614). These employers did not like
Labor Unions, because the laborers would go on strike, and the employers wanted to avoid such
strikes. This was also a time when America was expanding into multinational corporations,
which grew larger than any other country, and would need freedom from government unions. In
fact, these labor unions went into so much decline that they were desperate to have some
recognition, or else they might be completely eliminated. Even if there was an occasional strike
to break out among the poorest of laborers, they would be defeated by the new way of American
business.
The 1920s was a time when women were speaking up about equal rights, and the Equal
Rights Amendment (ERA) was proposed. "This amendment proposed to eliminate all legal
distinctions on account of sex (Foner, p. 615). Women had previously won the right to vote,
and they also wanted equal employment opportunities. During the 20s, The Women's Bureau of
the Department of Labor is formed to collect information about women in the workforce and
safeguard good working conditions for women. In Aug. 26, the 19th Amendment to the
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Constitution, granting women the right to vote, is signed into law by Secretary of State
Bainbridge Colby (Imbornoni). Although, because of the ERA and equal employment, the laws
which protected women from being overworked or discriminated at work would be erased, and it
did not last long. "Apart from the National Womens Party, every major female organization
opposed the ERA" (Foner, 2014, p. 615). Still, many women desired equal rights, and women
started to gain a more prominent influence in society, and in the government. The Progressive
Era, in which several waves of activists, moving from the local to national level, pursued
democratic reforms within political, social, and cultural contexts, had helped sustain the
womens rights movement (History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, 2007).
Not only was womens equal rights being talked about, but also the social lifestyle of women
was changing, mainly in the cities. Women were changing their appearances in style of clothing
and makeup. The younger, single women, became known as flappers, and they would socialize
at nightclubs, and act how they wanted. The flapper epitomized the change in standards of
sexual behavior, at least in large cities" (Foner, p. 615). Smoking cigarettes was a symbol of
more freedom for women, and a marketing tool for cigarette companies. Freedom and equality
was the motivation for this womens movement.
The Roaring Twenties was also known as the Jazz Age, because there was a lot of
activity among the culture of black Americans, becoming popular in the mainstream. During this
decade approximately 1 million blacks moved from the South to the North, many of whom
settled in Harlem, New York. "The 1920s became famous for slumming, as groups of whites
visited Harlems dance halls, jazz clubs, and speakeasies in search of exotic adventure" (Foner, p.
630). The unique sound and culture of Jazz exploded into recognition, and many new bands were
formed. The blues, which had once been the product of itinerant black musicians, the poorest of
the southern poor, had become an industry, and dancing consumed a country that seemed
convinced prosperity would never end (Oxford University Press). Although, Harlem was
actually poverty-stricken, because only low-wage jobs were available. The culture of Harlem still
received a lot of attention in the artistic crowds, and even some black poets and novelists were
published by white correspondents. The experiences and hardships of their lives were the main
content for their art and music. The Jazz music also attracted negative attention from white
citizens, who claimed that it would have a bad influence on younger womens morals.
Prohibition was a time when the selling, manufacturing, or transporting of alcoholic
beverages was illegal in America, which became official on January 16, 1920. During this
decade, the Prohibition was a great debate among citizens. The amendment itself had been
ratified by a sufficient number of state legislatures to become the law of the land in 1919,
plunging the country into what future U.S. President Herbert Hoover would call a "noble
experiment" but what American citizens described more soberly as "Prohibition" (Phillips,
2005). This law was primarily supported by native-born Americans, however, it was not
supported by European immigrants who frequently drank alcoholic beverages. Prohibition also
had a large supporting from women, because they wanted to put a stop to men and husbands who
were abusing them and eventually the Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed.
Prohibition was intended to create a nation of hardworking, sober, responsible citizens,
Prohibition instead quickly transformed a nation of basically law-abiding citizens into a nation of
lawbreakers (Phillips). Many citizens began to produce alcohol from their own homes, and
stores were selling the basic ingredients for production. Even some of the local policemen would
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not enforce the law. It is interesting to note the connection, that because illegal liquor was still in
demand by the people, secret distribution of alcohol had to become more organized, which gave
birth to the organized crime syndicates. Federal efforts to enforce prohibition, including raids on
speakeasies, were countered by well-organized bootlegging operations with national and
international connections (United States History). These organized crime syndicates made
strong connections with corrupt government agents, in order to secretly run their illegal
businesses. Eventually, in 1933, Prohibition was repealed which made it legal to buy liquor
again.

Political Events
In this decade, political events and the government are important to examine, because
politics was somewhat of a reflection of the majority of Americans at the time. Citizens did not
believe that Government regulation enhanced the enjoyment of freedom, and the majority of
Americans did not have the same ideas as the Progressives. Many citizens had conservative
political beliefs, and they voted conservative officials into the government. For example,
"William Howard Taft, [was] appointed chief justice in 1921, the Supreme Court remained
strongly conservative" (Foner, p. 617). There was also a fault line split between the native born
Americans and the immigrants (Foner, p. 609). Native born Americans felt threatened by
immigrants coming into the country, because immigrants had different ideas of how American
society should stand, and immigrants still held onto their Catholic roots. Whereas, many nativeborn Americans severed ties from Catholicism when they broke away from the Church of
England, and became Protestants. For a brief time, in 1921, immigration from Europe was
restricted, and eventually permanently restricted to 150,000 per year. Although, because
immigrants were needed in California farmlands, there was no restriction on South America. No
immigrants from Asia were allowed, because of a law passed in 1924, which is where the term
Illegal Alien started. At the time, the term Illegal Alien was referring to Europeans who were
trying to sneak across the border from Mexico. The Border Patrol was started attempting to
prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country.
Immigrants also had different ideas about Prohibition laws, which some of them did not
support. For example, native-born Americans assumed that Italian immigrants who did not speak
English were affiliated with boot-legging gangs. Also, "By the mid-1920s, [the Ku Klux Klan]
claimed more than 3 million members, nearly all white, native-born Protestants, many of whom
held respected positions in their communities" (Foner, p. 624). There was even tension between
native-born Protestant members and the Catholic members; for example, democrat Alfred E.
Smith, lost his presidential campaign against Herbert Hoover, partially because he was a
Catholic "Smiths Catholicism became the focus of the race. Many Protestant ministers and
religious publications denounced him for his faith" (Foner, p. 632). Despite all of the social and
political tension, immigrants promoted tolerance and cultural diversity. They wanted to be active
American citizens, but also maintain their ethnic backgrounds, which became known as ethnic
Americans. To ethnic Americans, cultural diversity constituted part of their personal liberty.
However, the American citizens participation in politics was declining in this decade.

During The Roaring Twenties, American citizens became preoccupied with entertainment
and consumption of goods they were less active in government elections and voter participation
was lower than in decades before. National statistics bore out their point; the turnout of eligible
voters, over 80 percent in 1896, had dropped to less than 50 percent in 1924" (Foner, p. 617).
This was a time of the Republican Era, where people wanted lower taxes, and businesses wanted
more advantages. For example, "Business lobbyists called on the federal government to lower
taxes on personal incomes and business profits, maintain high tariffs, and support employers
continuing campaign against unions. Government policies reflected the pro-business ethos of the
1920s" (Foner, p. 617). Republicans continued to win elections over democrats. It is also notable
that there was corruption in the government, their motivation being personal gain, and getting
rich quick. For example, "Attorney General Harry Daugherty accepted payments not to prosecute
accused criminals" (Foner, p. 617). Over the decade, new Presidents were elected, yet they were
still predominantly conservative Republicans.
From 1914-1921, Woodrow Wilson was the U.S. President. After him was Warren G.
Harding, from 1921-1923, who died from a heart attack while serving as president. Then Calvin
Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover were the next U.S. Presidents. In 1924, Calvin Coolidge was
elected for U.S. President. Coolidge was known for his quiet demeanor, which earned him the
nickname "Silent Cal" (Bio. A&E Television Networks). Before Coolidge was President, he was
the Governor of Massachusetts, and was known as a Progressive Republican. During Coolidge's
presidency, the United States experienced the period of rapid economic growth that characterized
the "Roaring Twenties" (Bio. A&E Television Networks). He was an advocate for civil rights,
and was opposed to having members of the Ku Klux Klan in the government. He also supported
African Americans; and he signed a law for the Native Americans called the Indian Citizenship
Act, which made them citizens and gave them land rights. He was president for only one term;
and after him came Herbert Hoover.
Hoover was elected as U.S. President in 1928, as a Republican. "During and immediately
after World War I, he gained international fame by coordinating overseas food relief. In 1922,
while serving as secretary of commerce, he published American Individualism, which
condemned government regulation as an interference with the economic opportunities of
ordinary Americans" (Foner, p. 631). The stock market crashed only months after he was
elected and creating programs that would help farmers who were in foreclosure, helping banks
to reform, and feeding the unemployed became his objectives but his efforts could not stop the
depression. "In the eyes of many Americans, President Hoovers response to the Depression
seemed inadequate and uncaring" (Foner, p. 636). Even though the American Government was
forming international relationships during the last decade, in the 1920s, they decreased foreign
relations. "Indeed, what is sometimes called the isolationism of the 1920s represented a
reaction "against the disappointing results of Wilsons military and diplomatic pursuit of freedom
and democracy abroad" (Foner, p. 619). The U.S. Government also did not participate in the
League of Nations, and increased taxes on imported goods. In 1925, they even withdrew U.S.
Marines from Nicaragua, who had been stationed there since 1912. Also in 1920, the American
Civil Liberties Union formed, which advocated freedom of speech and the right to privacy
(p.620).
Among the majority of conservative Republicans in America, there were still groups of
citizens who supported a more progressive Democratic system. The Progressive ideas meant to
6

increase taxes of the wealthy to support more government programs, to be more socially
conscious with the economy, and supporting labor unions in business. They also wanted to allow
citizens their rights to freedom. This new definition of Progressive freedom was to have a
balanced state between the citizens and the Government, which would be more accepted in the
1930s. Also, there was still some repression of artistic culture happening from World War I.
"Wartime repression continued into the 1920s. Artistic works with sexual themes were subjected
to rigorous censorship. The Postal Service removed from the mails books it deemed obscene"
(Foner, p. 619). Explicit books were removed from bookstores, and movies had to follow content
regulations. This repression of art effected a lot of European immigrants, who eventually moved
back to Europe where they felt like there would be more freedom of expression through art.

Conclusion
The U.S. economy in the decade of the Roaring Twenties was characterized by extreme
ups and downs. Citizens in urban areas were part of great industrial growth and a booming
market. Increase in factory production, and commercial promotion, permitted mass buying of
consumer goods. The stock market developed a popular means of investing money, with the idea
of getting rich quick. However, families living in rural farmlands did not experience the same
prosperity, and there was unequal distribution of wealth. The people believed that the stock
market would remain stable, but it actually crashed losing millions of peoples money, which
was the beginning of the Great Depression. In my opinion, Americans became too focused on
buying new goods, and undisciplined with saving their money. They also became too confident
in investing their savings into an unstable stock market, which eventually crashed unexpectedly.
Democracy and freedom were main topics of debate between citizens and the
government. Businesses employers were changing to a new form of private, American business,
which ensured less government regulations and labor unions. Women fought for more equal
rights in the workplace, equal education, and equal treatment among men. The younger women
changed their behaviors to a more carefree lifestyle, who became known as the flappers. Also,
even though Prohibition laws were passed, secret consumption of alcohol gave rise to organized
crime. In my opinion, Americans were still developing their ideas about democracy and freedom.
I believe they wanted to be successful in business, while having as much self-independence from
the government as possible.
The political events of this decade reflected the majority of Americans beliefs. Even
though political participation was declining, citizens elected conservative Republicans as leading
government officials, and as their Presidents. However, there were still groups of citizens that
held progressive Democratic beliefs, which would not be accepted until the next decade. Many
Americans felt that President Hoovers efforts to help after the Great Depression were not
effective, and they lost faith in Republicans. In my opinion, the American citizens idea of Big
Business and patriotism influenced their political beliefs, and who they voted into Office. The
Roaring Twenties is an interesting decade in American history characterized by prosperity,
depression, and the development of Americas definition of freedom.

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