1920's

After World War II, the people of American, including the characters from The Great Gatsby, wanted nothing than to return to their normal everyday lifestyles. Americans were eager to put the hardships behind them and return to the glory days. The twenties began with some resistance after a very minor recession, but gave way to prosperity shortly thereafter. With this newfound extra money and a shorter easier workweek, the people of America were finally able to relax. Americans spent their free time at the hottest nightclubs, or parites such as Gatsby's, to dance the night away and enjoy jazz tunes. If they were not at the nightclubs or parties, Americans blasted the new trendy radio systems. This was also a time period where the movies were popular and famous movie stars such as Mae West, Buster Keaton, and Rudolph Valentino, filled theatres to the rafters. Life was good for Americans.

Yet, life was especially good for the sports stars that drew crowds from near and far, sports stars like the incredible New York Yankees. The Americans who witnessed the twenties also witnessed the rise of this baseball team along with a United States team finally successfully entering into the National Hockey League. The success of these teams was not the only American aspect on the rise, The United States economy continued to prosper and the decade possessed many opportunities to make money quickly. Some of these opportunities included the stock market and real estate. Some people even invested all they had in the stock market. The boom unfortunately became a bust when all those people lost their money with the crash of the New York Stock Exchange. The twenties ended with a deep depression that would last for many years.

Source: History of the 1920's by Rennay Craats