The US in the Roaring Twenties - Essay Example

Emigration to the US was at its peak during the late 1800s. By 1870, a large number of immigrants came to the US, chiefly from Great Britain, Germany, and Ireland. These groups, although, following diverse traditions, shared a similar outlook toward the world. Subsequent to 1870, other immigrants arrived in large numbers from Eastern and Southern Europe, and Asia. Thus a diversified society was formed. However, opportunities for development were not equally provided to the immigrants and residents of the US. Such opportunities were made available to only a few select groups (Pozzuto & Arnd-Caddigan, Mar2008, P. 58).

This discrimination was upheld by the US Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. This decision, which supported racial segregation, was reversed in 1954, and the government made racial segregation and discrimination in any form, illegal. However, discrimination persists and until 1920, women were not permitted to exercise their franchise, when Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution that provided women with the right to vote. Despite these measures, women in the US are still subjected to discrimination (Pozzuto & Arnd-Caddigan, Mar2008, P. 58).

Art&Technology
From the early 1900s till the Second World War, the US witnessed modernism in art, design and architecture. The first skyscrapers were constructed in the 1870s. These structures generated considerable competition from architects. The first successful design was New York’s Woolworth Building. The Architects Anderson Graham, Probst, and White designed and constructed the Wrigley Building in Chicago. Howells and Hood designed the Chicago Tribune Tower. Chrysler and the Empire State Building displayed the Art Deco design. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed several houses in California and Japan. Art Deco lasted from 1925 to 1950. It was called modern construction and emerged from the 1925 International Art Exposition in Paris (Whitley, 2008).

Social Ferment
Opposition to communism reached fanatical levels in the US during the 1920s. Communism was referred to as Red Scares, and communists were referred to as anarchists. In 1920, there were an estimated 150,000 communists in the nation, which was just 0.1 percent of the population. People subscribing to radical views were persecuted, as evident from the case of Sacco and Vanzetti. Americans of that period adopted provincialism, as depicted by the reemergence of the Ku Klux Klan, restrictive immigration laws and Prohibition (Roaring Twenties).

1919, the 18th amendment to the Constitution, prohibited the production, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquor. Proponents of prohibition contended that this would eliminate all social problems and strengthen the economy. However, the populace was against prohibition and consumed alcoholic drinks. This environment led to the emergence of speakeasies, where people imbibed alcoholic drinks. Organized crime took over the production and sale of liquor, and this led to large-scale gangsterism. There were violent battles between gangster groups. In the absence of public support, the government could not enforce Prohibition (Roaring Twenties).
Furthermore, there were flapper women who wore provocative clothes and lived independently. Other trends were dances like Charleston, dance marathons, and flagpole sitting. In addition, sports stars were famous and deemed to be heroes (Roaring Twenties).

Science
The 1920s witnessed major inventions and developments in science and technology. The public obtained access to new inventions, like the radio and television. These inventions and improvements changed life for the better. Most of the present-day’s electrical and electronic household appliances were invented at that juncture. Consequently, commerce flourished, and the new gadgets save time and labor, and provided entertainment. Electric irons, toasters, refrigerators, air-conditioners, radio, television, and vacuum cleaners were developed in this period (1920's Science).

Several important discoveries transpired in the medical field. Scientists discovered Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Penicillin, the first powerful antibiotic. There were several contributions to the development of immunization processes, and the hormone insulin was discovered, which made it possible to control diabetes. Nuclear physicists explored the miniature world of atoms and elementary particles, which resulted in the development of nuclear power and deadly weapons (1920's Science).

Astrophysicists and astronomers obtained a better understanding of the universe and the Solar System. Jupiter and Mars were explored to a great extent with radiometric instruments and new photographic techniques. In 1926, Robert Hutchings Goddard launched a liquid fuel propelled rocket, and this enabled the design of the powerful rockets employed in exploring the solar system and deep space (1920's Science).

Economy
The 1920s were characterized by general prosperity, which proved to be the foundation of trade and speculative initiatives. This prosperity was not shared by all, and ethnic groups like the African Americans lived in abject poverty. There was no change in their financial status. This was also the fate of the white farmers. Urbanization took place at a rapid pace, and by the year 1930, half of the Americans took up residence in urban areas (United States: a history 1918 - 45. The Hutchison Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide, 2009). Read More