Why has the America of the 1920’s been described as the Roaring 20’s?

There were many good points that came from the motor car, which still kept the 1920’s roaring. People roared with confidence that led to them taking bigger risks leaving a boom of buying. Roaring can also be related to the roar of machinery as new factories began to be erected and put its foot on society. There were roars of protests and rebellion, as the young became more adventurous, raging and more shocking. People had escaped the pressures of the war and wanted a new life that was always reaching for the high life. There were images of roaring crowds which kept confidence high and left America continuously rising.

The radio helped the roaring 20’s as it helped spread information quickly and precisely. By 1930 40%of the population had a radio. Not only was a radio used for listening to music but also to put views across that occurred during the day. It also created a national habit. For example it was a way of getting people to listen to sports events and for putting new types of music across.

Another reason as to why America was described as the Roaring 20’s was that there was a huge change in society. Society became more relaxed while the population grew and grew in confidence. People got used to the changes such as the young but others did not take to it to well, such as the old. The 1920’s was also called the ‘Jazz Age’ due to the fact of black musicians dominating all other music. It had a tremendous impact on the young and soon dance halls became flooded with the more adventurous. The old did not agree with this as they saw it as a corrupting influence that was linked to sexual excess. Visiting clubs and dance halls became enormously popular. Fast dances like the Charleston and more rhythmic dances that had a more openly sexual element replaced the slow, formal dances of pre-war America. These dances and the open attitude was one of the reasons America was described as roaring as it was fast, loud and exciting. Dancing had such a dramatic effect that many people condemned it. Another change that followed as a result of these changes in the music industry was the increasing of sexual reference.

Although many people were worried about the continuous changes in society many accepted the fact that America was undergoing a change. Many did not realise as much of the change as others as because of the continuous involvement it had on them. Sex outside marriage became more openly and common as contraception became more widely used. Also contraception advice was more widely open and available for the first time. Young Americans in particular visited the cinema, 3-4 times per week. They gathered some of their views and were affected by what they saw on screen and by some of the ‘stars’ of screen, they copied their clothes, fashions and used them in their lives. The much freer sex of the 1920’s horrified many older Americans. As a result the cinema was blamed for its blatant use of sex symbols such as Rudolf Valentino therefore nudity was not allowed and the length of kisses was restricted. There was a good point that came form the roaring 20’s, which allowed women to earn a living.

The introduction of cinemas and new industries meant that increasing numbers of women were entering work because less physical strength was needed. This was due to the rise in technology, which allowed machinery to do the hard manual labour. One of the main reasons why employers were willing to employ women was that they could pay them lower wages than men. This was linked to the roaring 20’s because it was exciting and successful as before women were never allowed or were unable to do any of the work. By the end of the decade there were more than 10 Million women in paid employment. This was good for America and only boosted the tremendous morale and confidence the majority of the population already had. The only way was up for America and its people.

As women became more involved in society they were given nicknames such as flappers. A flapper was a name given to a liberated urban woman. Few women would have regarded themselves as flappers. But the flapper represented an extreme example of the changes that were affecting many women. They were identified by their short skirts, powdered knees, bright clothes and lots of make up. These were all linked to social habits. Clothes changes which gave women greeter freedom and they became more daring. After the war short hair became liberated make up became more popular and sales boomed led by advertising. In the 1920’s women smoked in public and drove cars, both of which had been frowned at before the war. Women’s magazines sold in their millions and the radio and cinema were well aware that women formed a major part of their audience.

From the information we have gathered there were many points that have been raised that contribute to the 1920’s being described as the "Roaring 20’s."