CHAPTER 8:

THE JAZZ AGE

1921-1929
“The restlessness approached hysteria.
The parties were bigger. The pace was
faster, the shows were broader, the
building were higher, the morals were
looser, the liquor was cheaper.”
-F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
1920s Overview
◦ “The Roaring Twenties”
◦ WWI solidified America’s
place as a world power
◦ Within a few years, the
economy was booming.
◦ The 1920s was a dynamic
decade, characterized by:
◦ Prosperity
◦ Leisure
◦ Technological advances
◦ Consumerism
◦ Major shifts toward
modern values
 1920s Culture
◦ In the 1920s, culture
changed dramatically
◦ Young people began to
dress in new styles
◦ New music emerged
◦ Women found new
independence
◦ African American artists &
entertainers became widely
popular
 1920s Industry
◦ After WWI, Americans
were excited to enjoy life
and buy new goods that
were not available during
the war
◦ The new technology of
the assembly line allowed
the car to be more
affordable and spurred
economic growth
◦ Henry Ford was able to mass
produce cars that average
citizens could afford