The 1920s and the Making of Modern America

The 1920s are frequently romanticized in popular culture as an era of unprecedented freedom and flamboyance, with images of flappers and clandestine speakeasies serving bootleg liquor. While some of that is accurate, this portrayal only scratches the surface of a complex decade that was as much about profound anxiety and dramatic societal shifts as it was about jazz and joyrides. This course aims to delve deeper into the dual nature of the 1920s, often referred to as the Jazz Age, by examining the Culture Wars, the move toward Modernism, the rise of the Consumer Culture, the Immigration Question, and the New Woman. Through an examination of these key themes, this course will provide a more nuanced understanding of the 1920s, revealing a decade of both dazzling innovation and deep-seated tension.