The Roaring Twenties

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were surfacing and while they did not have the approval of every American, these new concepts became exceedingly popular. Flappers were in the spotlight throughout the decade with their short skirts, bobbed hair, and carefree and modern attitude. Their clothing choices and foolish behavior often exasperated those who still managed to have traditional views of women. These flappers were the women who believed in being “free” and thus symbolized American women’s yearn for independence. The Harlem Renaissance also brought great change and interest to the 1920s, this time involving African Americans who blossomed with racial pride. The movement introduced culturally creative poets like Langston Hughes who started with his first volume of verses, “The Weary Blues”, and also new political leaders like Marcus Garvey who founded the United Negro Improvement Association. The Twenties also developed the nickname, the Jazz Age, due to the incredible rise of jazz music in the nation. It became the sacred music of the era and tunes from artists like W.C. Handy and Joseph King Oliver became instant classics. With the help of the radio, songs were carried everywhere, making jazz a nationwide phenomenon.

After a tragic war like WWI, it was important for the United States to try to discover new ways of being prosperous which included new developments in the arts and new economic policies. However, these policies would soon lead to the end of the wonderful era and the beginning of the depression with the crash of the stock market. Nevertheless, the Roaring Twenties inspired many new changes in American culture and provided a way for the nation to modernize.