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The Roaring 20s

The Basics - The following has appeared on New York examinations

• The Roaring 20s were a period of happiness and discovery for most Americans. After winning World War I, Americans were in a mood to celebrate, which they did to excess. While alcohol was illegal because of the 18th Amendment, citizens found alcohol in speak-easies, where they would also dance to a new American art form - jazz. The Harlem Renaissance emphasized African American pride in many cities, although Harlem in New York city was considered to be the cultural epicenter for black innovation. In addition, Americans became increasingly insterested in investing and purchasing goods on credit. This habit led to the Great Depression in the 1930s.

• The Harlem Renaissance focused the nation's attention on pride of African Americans in cities. This movement redefined redefined African-American expression. The Harlem Renaissance transformed African-American identity and history, but it also transformed American culture in general. Never before had so many Americans read the works of African-Americans and embraced the African-American community's ideas, expressions, and style. Langston Hughes (poetry), Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith (jazz), and W.E.B. Du Bois (philosophy), Zora Neale Hurston (prose) were household names who crossed the color barrier.

• Buying on Credit - Because business in the 1920s was so successful, the stock market did exeedingly well. Many Americans began to buy goods and stocks on credit, figuring they would make a quick profit and easily be able to pay off their debts. However, when the stock market creashed in Ocotber of 1929, millions lost their savings an immediately went into debt because of this credit buying.