Modernism in The 1920s History Essay Example

New ideas being introduced to society today have a different impact on our world than it did in the 1920s. In the 1920s, new ideas were upheld such as women dressing and acting differently, and colored people being socially accepted. Before the 1920s, women did not show skin, simply because that is how it always was and if anything else was worn that showed skin, women would be frowned upon. Although African Americans and aliens lived in the United States, they were not welcome and were not well respected by the Natives. Movements such as the Palmer Raids were set in place to get rid of aliens to make the US economy flourish. These raids meant that Natives would have more job opportunities which means more money for the people. When the 1920s rolled around, things turned around. Women began to dress and act differently, and aliens began to gain more rights. While the 1920s had a series of ups and downs, these years were a decade of modernism. Women, aliens, and the rest of Americans turned a leaf for the better during the 1920s.

Before the 1920s, women had a hard time truly expressing themselves. They had a strict way of life, being told what to wear and how to act. When the 1920s rolled around, everything changed for them. Document A shows how women began to dress in this decade. Women who dressed as shown were called “flappers”. They also wore lipstick, heels, and their dresses were just below the knee. When women started to dress like this, society was shocked and did not react well. The women were shamed and older generations were embarrassed by their doings. Not only did women get new wardrobes, but they also got more job offerings and they could attend speakeasies. Women were given much more leeway and they took good advantage of what they had. 

In 1919, Mitchell Palmer led the Palmer Raids, which was the deportation of aliens. The Palmer Raids deported thousands of aliens, but not all. African Americans moved from the south up north. This was called the Great Migration. African Americans began to gain popularity because they brought upon the Jazz Age. One famous poet, Langston Hughes, wrote a poem about the Great Migration shown in Document G. This poem was explaining how African Americans should not have to be scared about Jim Crow Laws and lynchings anymore. This poem was successful because it brought attention to the issue at hand to all Americans. Document F is illustrating the Red Scare. The Red Scare was the fear of communism taking over the country. In the photo, American labor laws are taking down aliens. Americans did not want to be associated with foreigners because they were scared that they would take over and make the United States a communist driven society. While foreigners were struggling being socially accepted, all but Asians were slowly but surely making their way into the American way of life. 

Prior to the 1920s, Americans lived an underdeveloped way of life. They had strict religious beliefs and few life altering inventions. When the 1920s arose, principal religious beliefs were disputed and the airplane was flown over the Atlantic Ocean for the first time ever. In Document H, Clarence Darrow debated with William Jennings Bryan about fundamentalism. Fundamentalism is the belief that the Bible should be interpreted literally. Darrow did not believe in fundamentalism while Bryan did. Darrow introduced Americans to a new way of reading the Bible. This shed a light on everyone having their own beliefs and interpretations.  On the other hand, the airplane crossed over the Atlantic. In Document E, The New York Times reveals that Charles Lindbergh was the first man to successfully cross overseas in the airplane. This has never been done before and proves America to be evolving. He had nothing but a magnetic compass and an airspeed indicator. These events gave Americans a new perspective of their country and gave them confidence in what they can accomplish. 

The 1920s led to an advancement of religion, women’s rights, foreign involvement, and American confidence. These new ideas led to economic growth and American wealth for the time being. These concepts were all advanced which is why this era was considered modernism. Modernism in the 1920s caused Americans to gain too much self-assurance and resulted in an economic depression.