The Roaring Twenties refers to the decade of the 1920s in the Western world, a period of dramatic social, artistic, and cultural change that followed the end of World War I. Fueled by post-war economic prosperity and rapid technological innovation, the era was characterized by a widespread embrace of modernity and a rejection of traditional Victorian-era values. This period, also known as the "Jazz Age," saw the explosion of jazz music, the rise of the Flapper as a symbol of new female independence, and the visual splendor of the Art Deco style in design and architecture. It was a time of unprecedented social liberation, but also of significant cultural tension, marked by Prohibition in the United States, which led to the rise of illegal speakeasies and organized crime. The exuberant prosperity and cultural dynamism of the decade came to an abrupt end with the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the beginning of the Great Depression.
History[]
The Roaring Twenties, sometimes stylized as the Roarin' 20s, refers to the decade of the 1920s in Western society and Western culture. It was a period of economic prosperity with a distinctive cultural edge in the United States and Europe, particularly in major cities such as Berlin, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, Shanghai, and Sydney. In France, the decade was known as the années folles ("crazy years"), emphasizing the era's social, artistic and cultural dynamism. Jazz blossomed, the flapper redefined the modern look for British and American women, and Art Deco peaked.
Visuals[]
The Roaring 20s saw the emergence of new technologies to the middle class due to mass production. For this reason, the radio and automobile are prominent in the images of the 1920s middle class home. It also differentiates this era from many of the past, increasing its uniqueness. These two devices are also important to the aesthetic because cars had a great importance in the novel The Great Gatsby, and radios-played music, one of the most distinctive motifs of the time period.
The art and architecture of the 1920s is typically associated with Art Deco, which utilized strong geometric forms, bold colors, exotic inspiration, and fine craftsmanship. Please see that page for more.
Fashion[]
The fashion of the 1920s was greatly different from the fashion previous to this decade due to the fact that women's fashions were now looser, had shorter hemlines, and revealed more of the arms and legs.
Media[]
Literature[]
- The Great Gatsby
- Mrs Dalloway
Authors[]
- F. Scott Fitzgerald, known as the most representative of the era
Movies[]
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (franchise)
- The Sheik
- Way Down East
- Hoodlum
- Chicago
- Harlem Nights
- The Great Gatsby (2013)
- Lackadaisy (Short film based on the comic of the same name)
Television[]
- Peaky Blinders (2013)
- The Little Rascals (1922)
- The Queen's Messenger (1928)
Video Games[]
- Shadows Over Loathing (2022)
Music[]
The Roaring 20s saw the creation and popularization of Jazz music.
Playlists[]
Resources[]
1920's Channel Roaring Twenties
Gallery[]
