Boom, Bust, and Back Again
The Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and the New Deal
The 1920s, often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties," saw a rejection of Victorian-era constraints, with a loosening of traditional moral standards. Women embraced more liberated lifestyles, challenging societal expectations by adopting fashionable clothing, cutting their hair into bobs, and participating in activities such as dancing and socializing in speakeasies. The emergence of the "flapper" embodied this spirit of rebellion and independence. While these changes were empowering for many women, they also sparked conservative backlash as some segments of society resisted the transformation of gender roles and questioned the perceived erosion of traditional moral values. The 1920s thus marked a dynamic period of cultural redefinition, with women playing a central role in challenging and reshaping societal expectations.
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The Great Depression affected people of all walks of life differently. Many lost their jobs, their money, and their livelihoods. While some were lucky, most Americans had less in their lives than before. It affected nearly all areas of American society.
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