Decades -

Through the years...

One could argue that every single event in history is memorable, but what makes it so memorable? America in the 20th century was full of new fashion trends, sports, ways of life, and historic events. Each of these decades has had a significant impact on America today, so come with us and remember America!

1900s

At the beginning of a new century America definitely felt the change in the way people viewed the world. Teddy Roosevelt, the current president said, “The 20th century looms before us with the fate of many nations.” The US was conscious of its place as a world power and its position towards other countries. The population grew about 21% during the first decade in the 20th century and America became a place where immigrants came to escape religious persecutions, freedoms, and to start a new life. There was promise for all people in the booming cities filled with industry and new job opportunities. Upton Sinclair’s, The Jungle, described the troubles of the American meatpacking industry. During this time frame there was also the progressive movement within the American-born Urban and middle classes. People such as W. E. B. Du Bois fought for African American rights, which were slowly being stripped away. New artists created paintings with simplicity and craftsmanship. In technology, the Wright brothers took to the sky with their invention of an airplane. Scott Joplin played the music of ragtime while Isadora Duncan the famous dancer was also preforming. Women sported fashion of former fitting dresses, suits, and a variety of different hats.

1910s

America experienced even more economic, political, and cultural changes and became the richest nation in the world. Woodrow Wilson successfully navigated around the four years of World War one and then the Treaty of Versailles that followed. There was a continuation of the growth of industries, technology, agriculture, and economy booms. The writers of this time such as Robert Frost wanted to reinvent a national culture. The artists were inspired by the Armory show and truly experienced a revelation in art. The fashion of this decade was rich and exotic in the beginning, but became somber and practical at the end because of the war.

1920s

The 1920's were also known as the Jazz Age, the Roaring 20s, and the Era of Wonderful Nonsense. There was poverty and prosperity and according to Warren G. Harding America wanted "not nostrums, but normalcy." America in the 1920s became the decade of abnormality as opposed to normal. This decade came after world war one and was followed with peace settlements. Prohibition of alcohol became the "noble experiment" which was impossible to reinforce. Women finally got most of the rights as men, they could vote for starters and they could also dress and act the way they wanted to. In every aspect of America things were booming; new art, music, medicine, sports, science, and technology arrived and drove the country to inspire towards even more improvement and advances. "Flapper" was a term for the women during this time based on the way they dressed and it was also related to their husbands at war who didn't or did come home.

1930s

After the roaring times of the 20s America settled into a depression. Money was scarce and unemployment rose to 25%. People did what they could to make their lives enjoyable. Movies, games, and board games were very popular as a form of entertainment during this time. In sports, the Yankees became the favored team of this decade. Music, as in all decades reflected the lives of the people and the songs of this decade often helped to get people out of the depression times of this decade. Franklin Roosevelt was president at this time and Americans would tune into him on the radio and were inspired by his fireside chats because they felt a connection the president. People began to read writers such as Agatha Christie, Hammet, and Chandler. The clothing of this time changed from the short flapper shirts to elegant gowns and fur collars. Women were extremely ladylike and wore pale faces with red lips and plate shaped hats were also in fashion.

1940s

A decade shadowed with war after the Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese. After the war however there was a baby boom and the GI bill of rights regarding returning solders was passed. At the beginning of this decade big bands were extremely popular, but later solo artists began to step out. The first inexpensive paperback book was published and penicillin was created which increased the survival during surgery. As a positive to the war it did pull America out of the Great Depression because of the war production and rationing. The Holocaust was also occurring during this time. In fashion women made do with what they had, they wore tied headscarves and wedged sole shoes to adapt to working in factories and the wartime industry. Rosie the Riveter also became a huge icon and inspiration for women during this time period.

1950s

A decade of fun, excitement, happiness, and individuality. There was an overall conservative and anti-communist feeling that settled in. Elvis, the teen idol was introduced and was the king of Rock and Roll. The 50s introduced televisions and along with televisions came programs such as "I Love Lucy" and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse". Artwork became an abstract expression with Jacson Pollock which presented a different view on artwork entirely. The Cold war conflict was developing and the USSR became a major rival to the United States. Science fiction novels became more popular because people were more interested in the prospect of space travel. Men wore gray flannel suits and women wore dresses with pinched in waists and high heels, and fashion at this time was borrowed and copied from designers in France.

1960s

PEACE OUT! The babies from the post-war baby boom became teenagers and young adults, shaping the 60s into the age of youth. This was definitely a decade of change, one that broke away from the conservative decade of the 1950s. This decade changed education, values, lifestyles, music, and all forms of entertainment. Andy Warhol's pop art becomes the new basis of modern art. Too Kill a Mockingbird is written by Harper Lee, and Siddartha by Herman Hesse became a favorable choice (check out literature!). Colleges and schools became a scene of debate because of the tensions between the older generation and the younger one. The older one wanted to enlist the new generation into the army draft while the new teenagers of the 60s wanted to just "chill" and have peace. For kids toys such as barbie, GI Joe, and Troll dolls were now on the market. The Civil Rights Act went into effect in 1964 after Martin Luther King, Jr. Audrey Hepborn became the idol for girls in movies and was the "movie star" of this decade. In addition the Beatles became the popular music group of this decade. A popular play that was just recently on broadway on the 1960s is the play called "Hair" which shows the teenagers point of view during this time period. It also shows the extreme drug use and the extent of the "hippie" riots.

1970s

DIsco is the new in during this decade. American culture began to flourish during this decade. People continued to doubt the government, women's rights movements and civil rights movements. There was a new concern for the environment and new space exploration. There were still a continuation of the anti-war campaigns on campus' and on work grounds. The Kent State Massacre in which four students were gunned down occurred during this decade. Mood rings, lava lamps, stickers, and rubix cubes were popular hobbies and collections of this time period. In fashion bellbottom pants and platform shoes as well as knits and denims became the top choices of this time. The floppy disc appeared and new advancements in technology continued such as email, barcode scanning, and a laser printer. The Vietnam war continued and people still fought to not go to war. Richard Nixon became famous for the Watergate scandal. Movies were huge during this decade; Steven Speilbergs Jaws, the Exorist, and Kramer vs. Kramer are just some of the many movies that appeared in the box office. In addition a new show, Saturday Night Live began to air.

1980s

Billionaires began to arise such as Donald Trump, Helmley, and Ivan Beosky started the rise of the rich and famous. People flaunted what money they had and being rich was extremely beneficial. Buying and use of the credit card was very popular and labels were the new "thing". Talk shows, video games, aerobics, cars, and video recorders became a part of daily life. AIDs plagued the nation killing thousands. The 80s was a huge decade for art, different galleries and museums featured new modern art. Many books were banned in the United States for using bad words towards African Americans and other races. MTV arose having a huge impact on young people of this generation. A favorite movie, ET came out directed by Steven Speilberg.

Sources:
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?action=interpret&id=GALE%7C0DNF&v=2.1&u=nysl_li_wheat&it=aboutBook&p=GVRL&sw=w&authCount=2
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade.htmlWhitley, Peggy. "1980-1989." American Cultural History. Lone Star College-Kingwood
Library, 1999. Web. 7 Feb. 2011.

Pictures:
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http://www.classic70srock.com/sites/70sRock/_files/image/1970.jpg
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