Yusuf Osman

Ms. Preston
English III
7th of April
Living in the 1920s

The 1920s, also known as the "Roaring Twenties," was a period of great change and social
transformation in America. The end of World War I led to a surge in industrial growth and economic
prosperity, creating a sense of optimism and excitement among Americans. The introduction of new
technologies such as radios, automobiles, and telephones made communication and transportation
faster and more accessible than ever before.

The Prohibition era, which began in 1920 and lasted until 1933, banned the production, sale,
and transportation of alcohol in the United States. Despite this law, many Americans continued to drink
and illegal speakeasies, or underground bars, became popular in cities. Organized crime groups also rose
to prominence during this time as they profited from the sale of illegal alcohol.

The 1920s was also a time of cultural and social change. The rise of the flapper, a new type of
young, independent woman, challenged traditional gender roles and societal expectations. Jazz music
became increasingly popular, with musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington revolutionizing
the genre. Literature also experienced a renaissance with writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest
Hemingway capturing the spirit of the era in their works.

Despite the economic prosperity and cultural advancements of the 1920s, it was not a time of
universal progress. Racism and discrimination against minorities, particularly African Americans,
persisted. The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group, experienced a resurgence and violence against
African Americans was common. Women and minorities were also largely excluded from the economic
gains of the time. The Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted for a decade, would bring an
end to the Roaring Twenties and bring significant challenges to the country.