The Great Gatsby
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THE ROARING TWENTIES
BY: NICOLAS BALLESTEROS
THE TWENTIES OVERVIEW
- Era of economic prosperity
- Unemployment was at an all-time low
- Influenced many things that we enjoy today
- Many people moved to urban areas vs. rural areas
- Many famous writers, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, emerged from this era
The 1920s was the era of opportunity and hope. Unemployment rates were very low at this time and those who were above the poverty line thrived in many ways. Due to this, many Americans started to move from rural towns to urban cities, further contributing to the economy by buying property and goods. In addition, the 1920s gave birth to many modern culture ideas, such as jazz, advertisements, and the indulgence of materialistic items. Some famous people, such as Charlie Chaplin and F. Scott Fitzgerald, rose to the occasion.
ECONOMY IN THE TWENTIES
- Economic expansion
- Reason: WWI, rise of capitalism, advancements in technology
After World War I, the United States was met with little international trade competition, allowing them to dominate market. This caused a series of events, such as the rise and acceptance of capitalism (buying products to support the economy) and advancements in technology, such as the mass production of automobiles and other commercial goods. This led to a spike in the stock market, for better or for worse (what goes up, must come down).
THE TWENTIES IN MODERN CULTURE
- Introduction to the radio, motion pictures, advertising
- Focus on private and personal satisfaction
- Education on the rise
Due to the economic boom, the nation was able to concentrate more on luxuries than necessities. The entertainment industry was on the rise with the public radio, motion pictures, and advertisements being the major contributors. There was also the belief that personal and private satisfaction was the main focus. Not only were these things important, but education played a major role in helping bring knowledge to American children.
THE END OF THE TWENTIES
- Even though prosperous, problems still emerged
- Examples: Little job security and control over workplace, return of KKK, prohibition, Stock Market Crash
While there were many positives in living in the roaring twenties, many problems persisted. Racism was still an issue (Jim Crow Laws still existed), which caused the revival of the KKK and prohibition was created, which led to corruption and bootlegging. Most importantly, the Stock Market Crash of 1929 caused major panic on Wall Street, leading to the beginning of the Great Depression.
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
- Wrote the “Great Gatsby” in 1925
- Received negative criticism
- Wanted to address the ideas and beliefs in the twenties
One well-known individual, named F. Scott. Fitzgerald, summed up the 1920s in his masterpiece, “The Great Gatsby.” It was created in 1925 in response to the new, emerging culture and lifestyle. Initially, it received negative criticism and only sold about 21,000 copies within the first year. Although it’s ideas were rejected, it eventually became one of the most popular books in American history.
