What was America like after World War I?

Question

Describe some of the changes that occurred in American society during the 1920s like economy, workforce, and popular culture.

Answer 1

America broke the Monroe Doctrine for the 1st time in WW1.

It is a U.S. doctrine which, on December 2, 1823, said that European powers were no longer allowed to interfere with the affairs of the newly independent nations of the Americas. The United States planned to stay neutral in wars between European powers and their colonies.

Woodrow Wilson (D) violated this 'treaty' and made America a major player in world affairs.

There are many conspiracy theories contemplating why Wilson would break such an important theory-especially since he was an intellectual and would knew what such a shift in politics would do to the country.

Now to really answer your question:  America was very proud of itself after its 18months it played in WW1.  Technology was changing, culture was "decaying" and becoming a lot more liberal.  It was very much like the 1960s-at least the big cities were.  Drugs and alcohol flowed like water.  People were rich, promiscuous, and happy.  Culture exploded with new kinds of art, photography, and video. Radios and cars were becoming a household staple.  Along with mail in shopping and shopping malls.

Answer 2

Roaring Twenties

Roaring Twenties is a phrase used to describe the 1920s, principally in North America, that emphasizes the period's social, artistic, and cultural dynamism. Normalcy returned to politics in the wake of World War I, jazz music blossomed, the flapper redefined modern womanhood, Art Deco peaked, and finally the Wall Street Crash of 1929 served to punctuate the end of the era, as The Great Depression set in. The era was further distinguished by several inventions and discoveries of far-reaching importance, unprecedented industrial growth and accelerated consumer demand and aspirations, and significant changes in lifestyle.

The social and societal upheaval known as the Roaring Twenties began in North America and spread to Europe in the aftermath of World War I. Europe spent these years rebuilding and coming to terms with the vast human cost of the conflict. The Government of the United States did little to aid Europe, opting rather for an isolationist stance. By the middle of the decade, economic development soared in Europe, and the Roaring Twenties broke out in Germany (the Weimar Republic), Britain and France, the second half of the decade becoming known as the "Golden Twenties". In France and francophone Canada, they were also called the "années folles" ("Crazy Years").[1]

The spirit of the Roaring Twenties was marked by a general feeling of discontinuity associated with modernity, a break with traditions. Everything seemed to be feasible through modern technology. New technologies, especially automobiles, movies and radio proliferated 'modernity' to a large part of the population. Formal decorative frills were shed in favor of practicality, in architecture as well as in daily life. At the same time, amusement, fun and lightness were cultivated in jazz and dancing, in defiance of the horrors of World War I, which remained present in people's minds. The period is also often called "The Jazz Age".