The Roaring Twenties Historical Context of The Great Gatsby

What Were the 1920s Like? 9ih8BeQEhttp:// 9ih8BeQEhttp:// 9ih8BeQEhttp:// 9ih8BeQE

Why Were the 20s Roaring? During the 20s, the country experienced a great period of growth.During the 20s, the country experienced a great period of growth. The economy was booming, industries were thriving, and there was a cultural and artistic shift.The economy was booming, industries were thriving, and there was a cultural and artistic shift. We were truly a consumerist society.We were truly a consumerist society.

Feeling in the 1920s After WW1, people had an “I-can-do- anything” feeling – they believed that a certain level of success was attainable, and that morally they were untouchable.After WW1, people had an “I-can-do- anything” feeling – they believed that a certain level of success was attainable, and that morally they were untouchable. Many immigrants moved to the States, once again having the belief that the American Dream was in their reach.Many immigrants moved to the States, once again having the belief that the American Dream was in their reach.

Feeling in the 1920s People were optimistic, & happy about the end of the war and their future. Positivity was in the air. Celebrations and parties were the norm.People were optimistic, & happy about the end of the war and their future. Positivity was in the air. Celebrations and parties were the norm. AOzQhttp:// AOzQhttp:// AOzQhttp:// AOzQ

Economics After WW1, the economy recovered greatly – mainly because of postponed spending & recovery.After WW1, the economy recovered greatly – mainly because of postponed spending & recovery. The U.S. officially became the richest country in the world.The U.S. officially became the richest country in the world.

Prohibition After the war, the amount of drinking amongst citizens increased. Therefore, a strong movement to eradicate alcohol use began, spearheaded by female activists.After the war, the amount of drinking amongst citizens increased. Therefore, a strong movement to eradicate alcohol use began, spearheaded by female activists. Due to prohibition, the demand for illegal alcohol increased – bootleggers would therefore make a very large profit by producing “bathtub alcohol.”Due to prohibition, the demand for illegal alcohol increased – bootleggers would therefore make a very large profit by producing “bathtub alcohol.”

Industry The 20s saw a growth of different economic industries.The 20s saw a growth of different economic industries. While radio, movies, and chemical industries contributed to the economic growth, it was the import of cars, then considered a luxury, that were considered to be most important.While radio, movies, and chemical industries contributed to the economic growth, it was the import of cars, then considered a luxury, that were considered to be most important. Due to all of the new technologies that were available, more infrastructure was able to be built (mostly funded by the government.Due to all of the new technologies that were available, more infrastructure was able to be built (mostly funded by the government. People also moved to larger, more urban cities, compared to living in rural towns.People also moved to larger, more urban cities, compared to living in rural towns.

Cars Due to the increase of cars on the market, roads had to be re- paved, new rules were introduced, and signs/lights had to be put up for safety purposes.Due to the increase of cars on the market, roads had to be re- paved, new rules were introduced, and signs/lights had to be put up for safety purposes. Several new cars were put out on to the market, including Ford’s Model T, the Rolls Royce, and the Duesenberg.Several new cars were put out on to the market, including Ford’s Model T, the Rolls Royce, and the Duesenberg. Cars were also more colourful and attractive, reflecting the wealth and lifestyle of their owners.Cars were also more colourful and attractive, reflecting the wealth and lifestyle of their owners.

Style The twenties were famous for the flapper style, in which young women started wearing shorter skirts and bobs, compared to more conservative Victorian era clothing of the past.The twenties were famous for the flapper style, in which young women started wearing shorter skirts and bobs, compared to more conservative Victorian era clothing of the past. This style was largely influenced by French culture and style, especially that started by Coco ChanelThis style was largely influenced by French culture and style, especially that started by Coco Chanel Heels, loose dresses, and overly extravagant jewelry were considered to be part of the flapper style.Heels, loose dresses, and overly extravagant jewelry were considered to be part of the flapper style. The flapper style reflected the luxury and wealth of the time, and the hedonism experienced by society.The flapper style reflected the luxury and wealth of the time, and the hedonism experienced by society.

Music ?v=QJSdk44gWIEhttp:// ?v=QJSdk44gWIEhttp:// ?v=QJSdk44gWIEhttp:// ?v=QJSdk44gWIE The 1920s were considered to be the “Jazz Age” with regards to popular music at the time.The 1920s were considered to be the “Jazz Age” with regards to popular music at the time. The effects of jazz are seen throughout pop culture since.The effects of jazz are seen throughout pop culture since. Introduced by mass radio, jazz was seen as a way for the youth of the 1920s to rebel against traditional culture.Introduced by mass radio, jazz was seen as a way for the youth of the 1920s to rebel against traditional culture. Dances such as the Charleston became popular as jazz became increasingly heard.Dances such as the Charleston became popular as jazz became increasingly heard.

Literature Novels in the 20s reflected the changing attitudes towards gender, and the modernization of society. The jazz age, the Harlem Renaissance, and modern industry were prominent themes in 1920s literature.Novels in the 20s reflected the changing attitudes towards gender, and the modernization of society. The jazz age, the Harlem Renaissance, and modern industry were prominent themes in 1920s literature. Many other books analyzed World War 1 and its effects on the soldiers and their associates.Many other books analyzed World War 1 and its effects on the soldiers and their associates.

Relevancy to The Great Gatsby Gatsby was set in New York during the 1920s, and examined the excessive yet shallow lifestyle of the young and rich.Gatsby was set in New York during the 1920s, and examined the excessive yet shallow lifestyle of the young and rich. The themes reflect the values of society & cautions readers about the downfalls of excess and reckless behaviour.The themes reflect the values of society & cautions readers about the downfalls of excess and reckless behaviour.