The Different Improvements in America During The Roaring Twenties

The 1920s in the U.S.A. were a time of political, economic, technological, and social improvement. New efforts for world peace were made, numerous inventions helped Americans, and lives and jobs improved for many during this time period, known as the “Roaring Twenties” because of how fast things were moving and improving – all of which contributed to the overall forward direction of the country.

Political improvement is exemplified by the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928, which was one of President Calvin Coolidge’s efforts to increase isolationism in the U.S. and stay out of wars (he had become president when Harding died in 1923, and was elected again in 1924). It was a treaty that was signed by fifteen nations who promised not to make war against each other unless it was in self defense (and unless the promise was broken, there would never be a self-defense war between the aforementioned countries). Many Americans supported this treaty, for they thought that once war was outlawed, it would disappear in general. This had the effect of protecting U.S. peace, as it prevented war between the U.S. and all fifteen participating nations.

The economy also improved dramatically during the Roaring Twenties. The average annual income per person rose over thirty-five percent during this time period: where it had been $522, it became $716 – a dramatic improvement which helped citizens across the nation. This was helped along by the fact that both Harding and Coolidge were not very strict about government regulation, and businesses were allowed to grow and flourish unchecked, spurring the economy on to even greater heights.

Improving technology was another big factor in the 1920s. The assembly line, a conveyor-belt like construction where different parts were put on at different times, was first used by Henry Ford for his automobiles, resulting in a Model T Ford coming out of his factory every ten seconds. Electricity and coal became available to more people, meaning that machines such as electric vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, washers, sewing machines, and others could make life easier across the country.

Lastly, social life dramatically improved for many groups of people. Young people started to rebel against their elders and the ideas of their elders, went to college, and spent more time in school. New styles also took hold. Style changes intrigued women, who began to take a new, stronger interest in life, and were able to have more jobs in offices, factories, and other professions. They were ensured the right to vote by the 19th Amendment, and some even were elected governor such as Nellie Tayloe Ross in Wyoming, in 1924. African Americans also experienced improvement, as the NAACP worked to protect their constitutional rights, and they gained more jobs in the North.

Overall, these four areas – politics, the economy, technology, and the social system –contributed a lot to the improvement of the U.S.A. during the Roaring Twenties, and without all of this improvement, the U.S. would not be the same as it is today.