Changing Attitudes, Traditional Values and Nostalgia

Alberto Grullón

Mr. Massey

AP United States History

20 December 2012

Changing attitudes, traditional values and nostalgia

In the 1920's there was a lot of tension that arose in the United States due to the changing attitudes of the people, the loss of traditional values and nostalgia. During this time of the year, the United States experienced many emerging cultures. During the roaring 20's, different styles of living in addition to the new cultural behaviors led to tension between the old and new. This tension was manifested through the introduction of technology, liberality of women, and the evolution of science.

During the 1920s, the introduction of new technological innovations had a big impact on the way that Americans started to act. The introduction of motion pictures and going to the movies became a regular habit for Americans, and this new technological innovation influenced the way that people in America acted, talked, dressed, wore their hair, etc. Through technological innovations, the Americans started to change the way they viewed things and it is when the traditional values started to be lost. Document A emphasizes: "... cameras, instantaneous hot-water heaters - were his symbols and proofs of excellence; at first the signs, then the substitutes, for joy and passion and wisdom". In this document, the newer traditions are emphasized and it is questioned what values those new traditions would have. The tension was mainly led because of the unknown traditional values these would bring and the fear that the new technological innovation would just be "substitutes, for joy and passion and wisdom" as Document A states. This tension was manifested, mainly in rural people, because they thought values were being lost and they felt that they were excluded nationally.

During the period of the roaring twenties, the liberality of women had a big impact on traditional values such as marriage, divorce and others. During this time, women and men's morals were becoming alike, women started to gain more independence and because of it, the rate of marriage was decreasing while the rate of divorce increasing as Document H shows. Flappers were developing during this time, and women wore more makeup, wore shorter skirts, and started to experiment sexually more. The loss of traditional values such as not having premarital sex was lesser in women as it was before as women were becoming more liberal and independent amongst them. The tension was manifested because of rural farmer's resentment of the growing power of urban culture, in which liberality of women was a part of it.

The evolution of science and the scientific researches included in science had a big impact in the original traditions brought