The 1920s was a decade of cultural change in our country. One change dealt with the role of women. Women, especially young women, became more outspoken. They were no longer willing to remain silent on issues. They also began to wear shorter dresses, drink and smoke in public, and work at jobs outside of the home.

Another change was in music. Jazz became very popular. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington became famous for their abilities to play jazz music. Bessie Smith was a famous blues singer.

There were other cultural changes. People began to listen to the radio. They could get the news, listen to soap operas, and hear music on radios. People began to attend sporting events. People went to baseball and football games as well as boxing matches. People also began to attend movies with sound. The Harlem Renaissance was the development of African-American arts and culture. African-American musicians and writers became famous during this time.

There were many cultural changes during the 1920s.

There were a number of major trends in American culture during this time.  Let us look at a few of the most important.  They include:

Jazz.  This new form of music became popular during this time, symbolizing a changing set of values in American culture.

Harlem Renaissance.  Closely related to this was a surge in African American artistic expression centered around Harlem in New York City.

Changing values.  American culture was coming to revolve more around leisure than ever before.  This new emphasis also helped lead to a loosening of cultural restrictions (typified by the rise of the flappers) on the behavior of women.