Honors Essay #3

      by Mariyah Gillis

      The 1920's was a new decade in American history. America went through significant changes after the war in culture, society, U.S. economy, technology, and more. The most significant changes made in America during this time, also called the Roaring 20's, was it's new choice in music, underground hustle, and the worth put on women.
      Jazz music was the most popular music of the day and connected blacks and whites rich or poor. From small clubs on street corners to radio stations across the country, jazz was everywhere. It sprung up in New Orleans, as "basement" music, and took United Staes by storm. Everyone enjoyed it. The 1920-1929 was the Jazz age, and everyone knew it.
     While jazz was America's mainstream, available for eveyone and anyone willing and able to hear, alcohol had become famous underground. Even though it was banned in the country, it was still sold and consumed every day; smuggled into America by bootleggers. The bootleggers got their alcohol supply from Mexico, Canada, and the West indies. Some people made the substitute alcohol, which was extremely dangerous, using wood alcohol or medical supplies. Alcohol was everywhere in America if you knew where to look. Many people (like Scarface) took advantage of the underground business and became rich. The law didn't really know how to stop the mafias and organizations that gained their riches from the illegal business.
     Meanwhile, the police steady trying to cut down on the alcohol coorporations. New laws were being made for the rights of women. The 19th Amendment allowed females to vote and cooperate with the country's business, which changed them from the average 'housewives' to the participators in America. Females' wages were also raised from the low wages were also raised from the low unfair pays to a price more equal to their quality of work and time. Women were gaining a stance in the country for the first time.
      Which in turn, is why the new outlook on women, music, and the underground alcohol affairs were the most significant changes in America's roaring 20's.