Best Of Times & Worst Of Times
In The 1920's
The Best Of Times
Social
A social happening in the 1920's was urbanization. When cities began to grow people looked for a better life in the expanding economy. Many of them began to transfer from place to place for better opportunities and a better lifestyle.
Another social event that took place was buying stocks. Many people saw this as a pathway for the rich to get even more wealthy. Soon after the rich continued to buy them, people began to realize that not only the rich is allowed to get them. Middle class people also put money into it and it made their life more stable.
Cultural
A cultural turning point for Americans in the 1920's was their new consumer lifestyle. They looked for products that promised to make life easier. "This is a culture that views the consumption of large quantities of goods as beneficial to the economy and source of personal happiness" (History Alive 354).
Another cultural point in the 1920's was entertainment and transportation. The media and radio shaped culture, giving it a voice. Another one was automobiles, this allowed people to have easier transportation from one place to another. These events impacted Americans because it made them change the way they were living.
Economic
"The 1920 census revealed a startling statistic: for the first time ever, the United States was more than 50 percent urban" (History Alive 370). This impacted Americans in a positive manner because as the economy continued to grow more opportunities for jobs opened up, with more jobs opening up wages rose as well.
Another economic happening in the 1920's was the consumer price index, "a measure of the cost of basic necessities such as food and housing, remained steady" (History Alive 370). This impacted Americans because urban wage earners saw their standard of living improve.
Political
Women enter politics. In the 1920's women caused most of the significant changes in the U.S. "The 1920's brought expanded educational and job opportunities for women, in addition to their greater political rights" (History Alive 361). This impacted Americans because women finally had equal rights.
Another political event that happened in the 1920's was, "the Kellogg-Briand Pact, an international agreement outlawing the use of force to settle international disputes" (Digital History Articles). This affected Americans because it supported the anti-war sentiment.