The 1920s was both a time of great change, and great resistance to change. Many aspects of American life were being pushed to change by some groups, while other groups were happy with the way things were. Political, economic, and social areas were all under controversy.
Many social areas were starting to change, especially a new way of living. After World War I, many new houses and apartments were built. With this, came the new American bathroom. Modern bathrooms of this time were now equipped with enameled sinks, tubs, and flushable toilets. These bathrooms signified American affluence, and many American families were striving for this modern home. Technology was also improving, while telephone installations in homes nearly doubled.
Another area of social improvement was education. More people were staying in high school during the 1920s, and many more people were going off to colleges. Along with better education was better health.
Ku Klux Klan members and a burning cross, Denver, ...
Cartoon from 1868 ("'Tis but a change of banners -...
Description: A Ku Klux Klan meeting in Gainesville...Americans were eating in much healthier ways, which was improving their overall health. With this better health, the American life expectancy also increased.
There were some improvements in society, however religion was not one of them. During the 1920s there was much religious intolerance, and groups were even developing about hate against a different religion. One of the most famous groups of this was the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). The KKK was a group of Protestants who were anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic, and anti-foreign. They were also all racist towards blacks. But these groups were not all. Many people became religious racists, and many areas became religiously segregated mainly against Jews or Catholics.
Women also had many social changes. One of the most profound images of women during the 1920s was the flapper. The flapper look is basically a woman who wears a short skirt, has big hair, and does the...