Big Idea and Statement
Socially, everything in the 1920's was different from the decades before. Women began cutting their hair and raising their skirts. Everyone was partying and drinking, even though it was not legal at the time. Organized crime became huge and Al Capone and his peers patrolled the streets. All of this was due mostly to the legislation of the time. With the passage of the 18th and 19th amendments, came conseguences; some good and some bad.
This view that the entire nation was partying and drinking is, of course, not accurate. the party animals were usually the young, rich people who could afford to blow their money every night to have fun. The elders usually stuck to their old ways and the poor remained that way. The role of women did change though and organized crime did become a great issue.
Today, the actions of the 1920's still are around in society eveyrwhere. Without the Flappers, women may not be as socially equal and daring as they are today. Without early organized gangs, there may now have been as many gangs and as much crime as there is today. Although the 18th amendment would not survive all of American history, it remained as a reminder of a passed time full of drinking, bootlegging, and speakeasies.
This view that the entire nation was partying and drinking is, of course, not accurate. the party animals were usually the young, rich people who could afford to blow their money every night to have fun. The elders usually stuck to their old ways and the poor remained that way. The role of women did change though and organized crime did become a great issue.
Today, the actions of the 1920's still are around in society eveyrwhere. Without the Flappers, women may not be as socially equal and daring as they are today. Without early organized gangs, there may now have been as many gangs and as much crime as there is today. Although the 18th amendment would not survive all of American history, it remained as a reminder of a passed time full of drinking, bootlegging, and speakeasies.