The decade of the nineteen-twenties was an “age of experimentation” in a various number of ways. The twenties were characterized by excessive changes in the numerous aspects of American life. All of the revolutionary changes undertaken during this era were, for the most part, centered on having fun. Enjoying life became everyone’s number one priority during the twenties; this can be seen with the numerous social changes that occurred during the decade. Women, in particular, played a great role in experimenting with many new socially questionable activities such as drinking. Prohibition was also important in shaping the new social, as well as cultural and economic, age of the nineteen-twenties. It helped bring about bootlegging, which led to the rise of gangsters and mobs. There were also many other new cultural pursuits brought about during the nineteen-twenties. An example would be the significant increase in the number of African Americans, as well as other immigrants through the twenties. As a result of an increase of blacks and immigrants, groups such as the Ku Klux Klan soon rapidly grew and became known. Another cultural pursuit throughout the nine

A large group of immigrants that came to the U.S. during the twenties were African Americans. Most of the new American Negroes settled towards big Northeastern cities. “Their population grew so large that they formed their own cities…Within these metropolises, complex societies emerged consisting of workers, businessmen, professionals, intellectuals, artists, and entertainers.” As a result of the numerous black people immigrating into the United States, the Ku Klux Klan emerged as a very feared and rebellious group. “Wherever the colored population had spread, there was a new tension in the relation between the races (OY III).” The number of members, known as Kleagles, in the KKK soared to about 4.5 million during the twenties. The white and pointy masked raiders would slaughter any groups of people they were against. Chicago was a prime target of their raids. “Chicago was virtually in a state of civil war; there were mobbings of Negroes, beatings, stabbings, gang raids through the Negro district, shootings by Negroes in defense, and wanton destruction of houses and property (OY III55).” The experiment for the cultural pursuit of the African Americans led to many deaths. Among other groups that were doomed with hatred by fearful U.S. citizens were the radical Bolshevists. “The fear and hatred of Bolshevism gripped the American mind as new strikes broke out and labor became more aggressive and revolution spread like a scourge through Europe (OY III).” Many Americans overcame their fears and sought revenge on alien radicals during many violent incidents. There was such a widespread fear of Bolshevism because these radicals were everywhere; many random people as well as organizations were thought to be Bolshevist. “Many organizations fell under suspicion of Bolshevism, including movies and theaters…The fear of the radicals was accomplished and followed by a fear of being thought radical (OY III).” The growing portrayal of discrimination against foreigners grew in the twenties and was easily seen in the case involving Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. They were convicted of a murder of a paymaster and his guard at South Braintree, Massachusetts. Sacco and Vanzetti were two alien Italians, atheists, conscientious objectors, and overall radicals; this is thought to have been a major factor influencing the case. At the end of the trial, they were both found guilty and put to death by means of the electric chair. However, it was never known if they were really guilty. Many critics believed that “the accused had been found guilty of radicalism rather than murder – that they were martyrs in the ‘class struggle’ (Spirit 277).” Immigration was definitely seen as a negating experiment to most Americans of the twenties.

teen-twenties was to rid immigrant Bolshevists that shed Americans with fear, from the U.S. The social and cultural aspects of the twenties mentioned, particularly prohibition, had drastic effects on the economy of the U.S. during the nineteen-twenties. The twenties was an age to experiment with new ideas and inventions, such as Henry Ford’s successful automobiles. It was also an age when an abundant amount of Americans began to look into real estate to make a significant profit. However, as a result of drastic inflation, the balanced and earning economy of the U.S. was severely dwindled; there was an immense stock market crash towards the end of the decade. Also contributing to the U.S. economy was the isolationist role that the U.S. chose to represent. The United States desired to not be a major contributor to the rest of the world.

Prohibition was also seen as an adversative experiment because of the catastrophic events that it caused, however, it did help the economy of the U.S. “Almost any dry would agree that prohibition was the basis of American prosperity, that it reduced the number of deaths of alcohol, and spent the workman’s dollar wisely on a

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