Final answer:
The urban population exceeded the rural population in 1920 primarily due to industrialization, which created job opportunities in cities, immigration and rural-to-urban migration, and a cultural shift towards the perceived opportunities and excitement of urban living.
Step-by-step explanation:
The urban population surpassed the rural population in 1920 due to several pivotal factors. Firstly, the industrialization of society, particularly in America and Europe, led to the mass production of goods and advancements in technology which shifted labor needs from farms to factories. Moreover, cities became hubs for innovation and economic opportunity, drawing people in from rural areas seeking employment and a different lifestyle.
Secondly, the migration patterns further fueled urban growth. Significant numbers of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe moved into cities, along with millions of people from the countryside, driven by the prospect of a better life, which often meant more jobs, housing, and social services than in rural regions. This rural-to-urban migration was part of an ongoing global trend of urbanization.
Lastly, the socio-economic transformation of the United States into an urban nation influenced the culture and aspirations of the population. The 1920s saw a shift in attitudes as the allure of the city with its perceived opportunities and lively culture drew people away from small towns and their traditional values. This tug-of-war between the rural traditions and the urban modernism encapsulates the profound changes that defined the era.