The 1920s, commonly known as the Roaring Twenties, marked a dynamic period in American history, characterized by profound social, cultural, and economic shifts. Post-World War I, the era ushered in newfound freedoms, notably with the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. This period saw the rise of the "New Woman," challenging traditional gender roles.
Simultaneously, nativism and xenophobia emerged with restrictive immigration policies like the Emergency Quota Act and the Immigration Act, reflecting fears of cultural dilution. Culturally, the Jazz Age defined the era, embracing liberation and hedonism, exemplified by speakeasies during Prohibition.
Prohibition, enacted through the 18th Amendment, paradoxically led to illegal bars and organized crime, symbolized by figures like Al Capone. Economic prosperity soared with consumerism, industrial growth, and technological advancements, but disparities arose, particularly in rural areas, foreshadowing the Great Depression.
The Roaring Twenties stands as a complex decade, blending progress and regression, liberation and restriction, prosperity and disparity. This era's clash of traditional values with emerging forces set the stage for the challenges and transformations of the 20th century.