The Roaring 20’s was a period of social explosion in the States. Much of this sharp increase in the social scene was concentrated in speakeasies. Becoming increasingly popular during prohibition, speakeasies were establishments that illegally sold alcohol. As a major part of American culture at the time, speakeasies attracted people of all different walks of life. They were a place where men, women, and even people of different races intermingled.
A speakeasy in the 20’s was often known for two major elements: Jazz music and flappers. Jazz music quickly became the most popular music in America. Like much of the cultural change in the 20’s, jazz music was considered by some conservatives to be immoral because it threatened previous cultural values. However, speakeasies were a place of progressivism and a place to push the envelope when it came to traditional social norms. Typically consisting of ten to twelve musicians, jazz bands could be found in every practically speakeasy in town. And along with Jazz music, of course, came flappers. Sporting short skirts and bobs young women danced in the speakeasies serving as entertainment for the party-goers.
Although illegal, speakeasies grew in popularity throughout the 20’s and 30’s. They were a place where adults could let loose and mingle with people that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet. Regardless of their illegality, speakeasies have become an American icon of the Roaring Twenties.
Interesting, who knew that doing things illegal could so fun, i like how you concentrated on two major elements of the Roaring 20s. What do you mean by "Like much of the cultural change in the 20’s, jazz music was considered by some conservatives to be immoral because it threatened previous cultural values"? What were some exampples of the old cutural values? how did it impact poeple?
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ReplyDeleteI think a lot of the previous cultural values came from the more rural areas in the countryside, where people sought the austere, more Protestant lifestyle. The city witnessed an explosion of vitality, and rural and metropolitan lifestyles diverged heavily. From that point, I think, rural and city life really began to diverge, and it's a schism that's still very visible today. When I was talking to teachers about the election this year, many mentioned that a lot of people in the Silicon Valley couldn't envision Trump winning because it's just so hard to see how different rural lifestyles are from ours, which is just another example of how divided the country is. How do you think that bridge could be gapped? What are its ramifications?
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