Title: The American Dream in the 1920s & 30s - Cultural History of the United States
Headings: Cultural History of the United States
The American Dream in the 1920s & 30s
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Content: From victory gardens and the purchasing of bonds to songs for national spirit, Americans felt a sense of unity that bridged the gaps between classes. War music depicted a sense of cohesiveness. Songs like “Over There” and “How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree)” convey a message of Americans all being on the same team, no matter economic class or ethnicity. [ 9] The World War I era was a time of strict moral codes with serious objectives to be accomplished, and, as any largely supported war time, produced huge economic success and prosperity, giving birth to the infamous Roaring Twenties. The Roaring Twenties was the beginning of what is experienced today as the American Dream, and capitalism was back in full swing. A time of rich cultural births and overindulgence in commodities are pieces of the modern American spirit that will never be undone. The 1920s Americans as described by Bill Bryson were not terribly different than Americans today: headstrong, resilient, and a mighty force of ambition that is not to be reckoned with. They were avid fans of gossip, hungry for thrill, and had a will to be the best in the world that could not be satisfied. Bryson states that “no other country in history had ever been this affluent, and it was getting wealthier daily at a pace that was positively dizzying”. [