1. During this era, often called the “Roaring Twenties” the economy was prosperous and almost all industries expanded with the rise of new products. Better factories led to more efficient production and higher consumerism. Henry Ford, the creator of Ford, had transformed the production of the Model T car by perfecting the assembly line. It allowed Ford to produce and sell far more vehicles than ever before. Fortunately for many factories wages went up and working conditions improved. Although companies who had formed unions, which previously was beneficial to workers, did not benefit much, if at all.
Social and cultural changes were significant during the 1920’s with women gaining more independence by joining the workforce and filling jobs that had become vacant from men who got sent to war. Women joining the workforce helped support the suffrage movement allowing for the ratification of the 19th Amendment. One of the most everlasting symbols of this time became known as the flapper. Where women started to bob their hair and wear knee-length dresses. They also participated in smoking and drinking in public, all of which went against previously recognized social norms. Jazz music was also a defining characteristic of the 1920’s. With its growing popularity it became well known and allowed many African American artists to flourish and became known as the Harlem Renaissance.
Changes in technology and manufacturing created widespread use of new appliances. From 1916 to 1927 the percentage of households with electricity rose from 12% to 63%. This staggering statistic accounted for one of the reasons the economy was able to flourish. Some of the most iconic inventions during this time period were, “ the refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine” (Britannica). Alongside these inventions the radio became the most popular, with around 40 percent of homes having one installed by 1930.
In conclusion the economy, cultural and social norms, and technological improvements were all defining characteristics that changed the United States in the 1920’s.
2. Billie Holiday was considered one of the greatest artists of all time known for her jazz and blues; she expressed deep emotional depth in her lyrics. In the podcast, Billie Holiday v. The United States, it discussed how Billie Holiday later became a target of the federal government. She was an influential figure at this time and became intertwined with the modern “War on Drugs”, invented by Harry Anslinger. One of her most popular songs, “Strange Fruits” protested the lynching of Black people in the South. It had given inspiration to people who felt powerless and victimized. Through her talent in jazz and blues she quickly rose to the top becoming a prominent figure during this era. Unfortunately as she became more popular, she developed drug addictions and most of her money made from clubs was spent on heroin.
Soon after the end of prohibition the “war of drugs” became a priority of the federal government. Aslinger was the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN), he aimed to crack down on drug usage but was very biased and targeted people of color. Billie Holiday was one of his biggest targets. Aslinger believed that she promoted the use of illegal narcotics but ultimately appeared to be more deeply motivated upon her rebellious nature and saw her as a symbol of resistance to the racial injustice in America. Aslinger went as far as planting drugs on her, “They bust her, and it’s pretty clear, I think, from reading the historical documents, that he planted drugs on Billie Holiday that night”. This was after she went months of resisting use, which led her to get arrested and destroyed, leading her down the path of addiction once again. Although through all the struggles she endeavored she continued to sing the song “Strange Fruits”. Unfortunately Billie Holiday was a convenient target for the government because of her drug use but ultimately used it as a means to silence her from motivating more people to demand justice.
3. Eastern European immigration was a critical improvement to diversification, bringing new ideas and widening the scope of inclusivity in America. During this time period some Americans didn’t view it as all positive, which gave traction to the Eugenics movement. The Eugenics movement was a set of beliefs based around the use of selective breeding which they thought would improve the human race. They assumed it would improve the quality of their populations and “perfect” the genetics of future generations. The movement used sterilization against people's will and justified it under the so-called science of eugenics. From 1907 onward, at least 60,000 Americans were sterilized against their will. Alongside sterilization there were marriage restrictions between races and in 1924 Virginia passed an act based on “model eugenical sterilization law”. Carrie Buck was a prominent figure during this time. She was raped by a foster family member but when the family was accused they insanely came back at Carrie accusing her of being both epileptic and an “embecile”. Since her mother was already determined to be feebleminded, doctors used this as a support for their case in eugenics against Carrie. In the case of Buck v. Bell, Carrie Buck became sterilized with Holmes writing, “Three generations of imbeciles are enough”. Unsurprisingly, reports later revealed that she appeared to be cognitively normal. The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against Carrie under Virginia law. This created a precedent that allowed future sterilizations for decades.
Works Cited
Cunningham, John M. “Roaring Twenties.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Britannica, 14 Apr. 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/Roaring-Twenties.
“Throughline: The United States vs. Billie Holiday on Apple Podcasts.” Apple Podcasts, podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-united-states-vs-billie-holiday/id1451109634?i=1000493988024. Accessed 4 June 2023.
“HIS-106-A-202501 | GCC.” Mass.edu, 2022, online.gcc.mass.edu/mod/resource/view.php?id=734768. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Social and cultural changes were significant during the 1920’s with women gaining more independence by joining the workforce and filling jobs that had become vacant from men who got sent to war. Women joining the workforce helped support the suffrage movement allowing for the ratification of the 19th Amendment. One of the most everlasting symbols of this time became known as the flapper. Where women started to bob their hair and wear knee-length dresses. They also participated in smoking and drinking in public, all of which went against previously recognized social norms. Jazz music was also a defining characteristic of the 1920’s. With its growing popularity it became well known and allowed many African American artists to flourish and became known as the Harlem Renaissance.
Changes in technology and manufacturing created widespread use of new appliances. From 1916 to 1927 the percentage of households with electricity rose from 12% to 63%. This staggering statistic accounted for one of the reasons the economy was able to flourish. Some of the most iconic inventions during this time period were, “ the refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine” (Britannica). Alongside these inventions the radio became the most popular, with around 40 percent of homes having one installed by 1930.
In conclusion the economy, cultural and social norms, and technological improvements were all defining characteristics that changed the United States in the 1920’s.
2. Billie Holiday was considered one of the greatest artists of all time known for her jazz and blues; she expressed deep emotional depth in her lyrics. In the podcast, Billie Holiday v. The United States, it discussed how Billie Holiday later became a target of the federal government. She was an influential figure at this time and became intertwined with the modern “War on Drugs”, invented by Harry Anslinger. One of her most popular songs, “Strange Fruits” protested the lynching of Black people in the South. It had given inspiration to people who felt powerless and victimized. Through her talent in jazz and blues she quickly rose to the top becoming a prominent figure during this era. Unfortunately as she became more popular, she developed drug addictions and most of her money made from clubs was spent on heroin.
Soon after the end of prohibition the “war of drugs” became a priority of the federal government. Aslinger was the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN), he aimed to crack down on drug usage but was very biased and targeted people of color. Billie Holiday was one of his biggest targets. Aslinger believed that she promoted the use of illegal narcotics but ultimately appeared to be more deeply motivated upon her rebellious nature and saw her as a symbol of resistance to the racial injustice in America. Aslinger went as far as planting drugs on her, “They bust her, and it’s pretty clear, I think, from reading the historical documents, that he planted drugs on Billie Holiday that night”. This was after she went months of resisting use, which led her to get arrested and destroyed, leading her down the path of addiction once again. Although through all the struggles she endeavored she continued to sing the song “Strange Fruits”. Unfortunately Billie Holiday was a convenient target for the government because of her drug use but ultimately used it as a means to silence her from motivating more people to demand justice.
3. Eastern European immigration was a critical improvement to diversification, bringing new ideas and widening the scope of inclusivity in America. During this time period some Americans didn’t view it as all positive, which gave traction to the Eugenics movement. The Eugenics movement was a set of beliefs based around the use of selective breeding which they thought would improve the human race. They assumed it would improve the quality of their populations and “perfect” the genetics of future generations. The movement used sterilization against people's will and justified it under the so-called science of eugenics. From 1907 onward, at least 60,000 Americans were sterilized against their will. Alongside sterilization there were marriage restrictions between races and in 1924 Virginia passed an act based on “model eugenical sterilization law”. Carrie Buck was a prominent figure during this time. She was raped by a foster family member but when the family was accused they insanely came back at Carrie accusing her of being both epileptic and an “embecile”. Since her mother was already determined to be feebleminded, doctors used this as a support for their case in eugenics against Carrie. In the case of Buck v. Bell, Carrie Buck became sterilized with Holmes writing, “Three generations of imbeciles are enough”. Unsurprisingly, reports later revealed that she appeared to be cognitively normal. The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against Carrie under Virginia law. This created a precedent that allowed future sterilizations for decades.
Works Cited
Cunningham, John M. “Roaring Twenties.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Britannica, 14 Apr. 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/Roaring-Twenties.
“Throughline: The United States vs. Billie Holiday on Apple Podcasts.” Apple Podcasts, podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-united-states-vs-billie-holiday/id1451109634?i=1000493988024. Accessed 4 June 2023.
“HIS-106-A-202501 | GCC.” Mass.edu, 2022, online.gcc.mass.edu/mod/resource/view.php?id=734768. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.