The Roaring Twenties and The Great Depression
The twenties in the United States was a decade of change. More and more people began living in cities rather than farms because the economy was doing so well. Because the economy was doing well, America became one of a consumer society. People’s wealth was growing and growing which meant they were spending it more and more. Women began finding employment which allowed women to become consumers as well. This all led to the most devastating depression America has ever experienced.
Flapper Era
The roaring twenties were known as the Flapper Era. Flappers were known for their carefree lifestyle. This lifestyle was not well liked by many people. A flapper is a young woman who had bobbed hair, wore short skirts, and would drink and smoke. Flappers were deemed unladylike and more sexually “free” compared to previous generations.
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Women gained power through employment and work which then lead to economic freedom. This economic freedom allowed women to go out, like men, to bars. This is what led to women drink and smoke, which was not normal before the twenties.[7]
An ad for soda using the image of a flapper to promote the product.
Another ad from the 1920's using the flapper image to sell.
An ad for soda using the image of a flapper to promote the product.
These advertisement show how Flapper women were used in different advertisements throughout this time period. [1] [2]
The Prohibition
An ad where a woman is begging for the ban of alcohol for the sake of her child.
An ad promoting to vote for the ban of liquor for the sake of the protection of the women and children.
An ad where a woman is begging for the ban of alcohol for the sake of her child.
These advertisements show the way women felt and affect the outcome of the votes for and against the Prohibition. [3] [4]
The Prohibition was from 1920 to 1933. This was a period of time where there was a nationwide ban on the importation, production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. This was extremely hard to regulate, production and sale, although illegal, still happened and was referred to as bootlegging. Many illegal drinking spots known as speakeasies started popping up everywhere, which can be seen due to the Prohibition being the same time period as the Flapper Era.
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Alcohol was viewed as a harmful substance to family life which is why women, specifically mothers, and wives, played a key role in the Prohibition. Women played a key role because husbands were the ones participating in activities where drinking alcohol would take place. Women did not like when their husbands would come home drunk or not come home at all.[6]
The Great Depression
From 1929 to 1939 was the Great Depression in the United States. This affected the great strides previously made by women. The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn beginning with the stock market crash in 1929. Women were greatly affected because with little employment opportunities available during this period, most jobs were given to men over women.
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The Great Depression lead us straight into World War II beginning in 1939 until 1945. World War II pulled the United States out of the Great Depression. [8]
This is a newspaper clipping from 1929 which was the year the stock market crashed which lead to the beginning of The Great Depression. Women were not portrayed in media during this time because America's economy was devastated. [5]
Connections to Freedom
How then does this moment in history connect to Women’s freedom? The image of a women was changed during the roaring twenties both in media and people’s perception. Women began to express freedom differently and many people disapproved of this expression. Women, specifically women known as Flappers, became wild and reckless in the twenties. Up until 1929, when the stock market crashed, women were participating in “men” activities. The stock market crash of 1929 lead America into the Great Depression which did not end until the beginning of World War II. During this period of American history, no one had much freedom, especially women. Overall, during this time period, we see up and downs through media for Women’s freedom.
References
[1] Orange Crush - Flapper Girl. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/515380751078159814/
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[2] Coca Cola - Flapper. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/306174474665234384/
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[3] Prohibition Protest Signs. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/10836855331758884/
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[4] Pro- prohibition poster | 1920s | Prohibition party, Party poster, Speakeasy party. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/8303580535591799/
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[5] Elliott, L. (2017, March 04). What the 21st century can learn from the 1929 crash | Larry Elliott. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/04/crash-1929-wall-street-what-the-great-depression-reveals-about-our-future
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[6] Editors, H. (2009, October 29). Prohibition. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/prohibition
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[7] Flappers: Brave, sensual and rebel girls. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lingbe.com/2017/09/15/flappers-brave-sensual-and-rebel-girls/
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[8] Editors, H. (2009, October 29). Great Depression History. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/great-depression-history
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