The 1920's witnessed a general expansion of rights for many Americans, but different subcultures within the U.S experienced different levels of empowerment. In the South, the Jim Crow laws were still restricting the African American population from achieving an equal status to that of white Americans and although some level of empowerment was achieved by black Americans during the Great Migration, segregation was still a problem and racial inequality was widespread.
White women during this time were also enjoying newfound freedoms, but on a much greater scale than their Afro-American counterparts. The social reform that took place was widespread, but mainly restricted to certain demographics.
Though many Americans enjoyed an expansion of rights in the 1920s there were many minority groups and subcultures that did not enjoy the benefits of these developments. While white women enjoyed a new found freedom and empowerment after World War One through outward expressions of progress such as bobbed hair, shorter dresses, a working girl persona, African American women were left behind this bandwagon until much later.
With many parts of the country segregating black and white, the Ku Klux Klan in the North and Jim Crow laws in the South promoting racial segregation, it was obvious that freedoms for African Americans were still largely limited at this time.
The 1920's saw the building of a framework for civil rights more than it actually accomplished these civil rights, during its time. Some progress was made however for black people and women.
Some progress was made by Garvey, who built his work on the principles of; equality for black people, self-respect for black people, defense in religion for black people, assertiveness and historical awareness for black people. This movement though not a great success helped lay the groundwork. The migration of black people from the South to the North of America in the 1920's saw a different racism, a more subtle racism, and perhaps a little less racism. The opportunities black people had a bit more of in the North, despite the continuation of racism, however (work, freedom through music and religion), allowed for future growth in civil rights.
Women's rights in the 1920's could be said to have improved, though some of the improvements were problematic. Once again we see that some groundwork was laid down in the 1920's, and some progress was made. Women were given more independence, the bobbed hair was a symbol of this, and of self control. Women began to marry for love more often ("companionship" marriages) and met higher educational standards. They worked and made their own money, they felt more free in what seems like it was quite a sudden change. However when employed as secretaries (a common job for women), for instance, they found themselves often in a "professional marriage" (traditional women's roles hadn't changed that much). More importantly to receive more attention and opportunities they had to "market" themselves, as "commodities". This kind of objectification as a "commodity" remains a problem today, and perhaps though undesirable is testament to the power of changes made in this time, perhaps.
The 1920's saw different political groups, who were working for the same general goal, clashing. eg. Marcus Garvey's movement clashing with the NAACP. While some progress was made, these movements which could of been allied in fact undermined each other. Causing problems for the establishment of civil rights in that time. Groundwork was though built and achieved in these movements, they challenged the standards of that time and got the ball rolling.
Although some may argue that there seemed to be a greater expansion of rights for many Americans in the 1920s, the size and demographic of change in that era and its effects was limited. Segregation and inequality still existed and despite the changes that happened during the war period, little had transpired in terms of the expansion of rights.
Women are often considered to have gained many rights in the 1920s still had far to go in terms of rights being widespread and equal, particularly for African American women. Freedom and rights for African Americans, although slightly different dependent on location, had seen little change; particularly in the south where still heavily segregated with the Jim Crow laws allowing unequal status between races to be equal.
During the 1920s, many Americans did witness an expansion of rights. However, these liberties were granted to select demographics. For example, white women were allowed access to freedom from the Victorian era, with the Flapper movement seeing short dresses, dancing, smoking in public, and bobbed hair – all which were previously unimaginable. Yet the Jim Crow laws still prevailed, limiting African Americans the ability to expand any rights and indulge in the privileges that were being experienced by the white populous.
As Tamara and Stefan have suggested in their posts, the 20’s witnessed the vocal and physical awakening of disenfranchised groups (namely women and African Americans) and the early stages of their ongoing onslaught toward claiming national recognition of autonomy, both morally and legally.
Much experimentation and self exploration which was previously inconceivable for both groups went unimpeded by the nation state during this time. The cultural expressions of Jazz and gospel choirs in their Northern homes was pivotal in constructing a strong sense of African American identity, just as the shedding of their mother’s Victorian ideologies was empowering for the “modern” woman.
However, neither groups experienced the true emancipation they sought. Females remained largely housebound and confined to futures as male “helpers” in the workforce or homemakers, their drive toward these fields exacerbated by the new industries of consumption that pandered to their vanity.
Jim Crow Jurisdictions remained in the South and an equally restrictive yet invisible “colour line” appeared in the North that limited the availability of work and generally confirmed the African American’s subordinate image in the eyes of the white patriarchy that was 1920’s America.
It is my opinion therefore, that whilst the 1920’s was a period of great transformation in the USA for the previously “owned” and the voiceless, the experimentation that was ‘allowed’ at this time was merely a stepping stone on the pathway toward a true “expansion of rights” which occurred in the following decades.
1920’s America certainly played host to many achievements in the field of rights. The granting of women’s rights through the 19th Amendment was a highly successful result of the Suffragette movement and in 1924 the rights of Native Americans were realized as they were granted citizenship under the Indian Citizen Act. Although the rights of these two population groups were expanding, they were still quite far off being equal to white males.
African Americans were not a part of this expansion as they were still facing segregation and racism, subtly in the North and blatantly in the South. The 1920’s did not provide them with solid legal rights, however African Americans found their voices being heard for the first time through events such as the Harlem Renaissance.
In a literal sense, many Americans did experience an expansion of rights during the 1920’s. Women enjoyed most of such newfound progress, signified by features that were symbolically significant at the time yet so unremarkable today – bobbed hair, shorter dresses and drinking in public. However, the advent of the Jim Crow laws virtually dismisses any claims that the 1920’s is a golden period in the history of America’s social revolution. Although The Great Migration bears many fruits for African Americans, their progress was still met with resistance in every step by the predominant white establishment.
While the 1920’s witnessed an expansion of rights and freedoms for American citizen’s they were certainly not exercised by all people throughout the nation. Middle-class white women seemed to gain the most from this era being granted the right to vote and greater autonomy in the social, political and economic aspects of their life which were often represented by the new ‘flapper’ image. The achievements of the white suffrage movement, although significant, were not however extended to black women or those below the poverty line. African-Americans also continued to suffer suppression and segregation by the Jim Crow laws (1880's-1960's) which enforced strong racism in the South and removed the right to vote from black American men. Thus while the 1920's experienced an expansion of rights these rights were only truly experienced by a privileged few.
The 1920’s saw particular social groups granted an expansion of rights but not all Americans were inclusive of this. Women gained significantly the most during this era. Their values and style of life changed immensely from the traditions and conservative theme during the Victorian period. They gained the right to vote through the 19th amendment. This era brought about a new sense of individualism through vibrant and energetic expression. The image of ‘flapper’ demonstrates the new woman on the twenties. All this progress however did still not reach equality between men and women. In contrast this was a time of struggle for the African-Americans living in the nation who instead of gaining rights were being denied them. Living under the segregation and discrimination of the Jim Crow Laws. Racism was present across the country however more predominantly in the South. The twenties was a period in which change was successful however and expansion of rights only in a limited sense.
While the 1920s saw an increase in the legislated rights of Americans, such as women being enabled to vote, and in the social rights of many groups, particularly women who had more freedom in their behaviour and dress. However, while these changes did occur, it is important to note that these did not reach all sections of society.
African-American women located in the southern states were prevented from voting using the same mechanisms as those used to prevent African-American men. Methods, such as testing, were utilised by states to negate the Constitutional amendments which would enable the African-Americans, and other groups that were perceived to be unworthy, to fulfill their right to vote.
The 1920’s in America showed an expansion of rights for many Americans, although this was limited to an extent of who it included. In 1924, all Native Americans are granted the right to be recognised as citizens under the Indian Citizenship Act passed in the U.S. Congress. Under the 19th Amendment to the United States constitution on August 18th 1920, white American women are granted universal women’s suffrage and gain the right to vote. In the 1928 Olympics, women gained further rights to compete as professional athletes in athletics and gymnastics for the first time. Although women gained the right to vote and Native Americans gained citizenship, they still were not thought as equal to white men.
While the 1920’s saw an increase in rights and freedoms for white American women and Native Americans, African Americans were not included under this increasing of rights. Despite their movement from the openly violent, racist South to the more subtle racism of the North, African Americans gained very little in terms of constitutional rights. However, during the 1920’s, the Harlem Renaissance showed an expansion of African American culture and expression, through the gaining prominence of black authors, poets, actors, and musicians.
The 1920’s saw a definite exploration of the social standing and liberties of various oppressed demographics in the US. In many cases, the discourses involving these minorities took on a more visible manifestation than in the decades preceding; but the extent to which they then translated into legal rights perhaps falls short of common perceptions of the era.
White women were granted the 19th Amendment, Native American’s received the Indian Citizenship Act, and the Supreme Court deemed much of Jim Crow unconstitutional.
But the dichotomy between legal right and social prejudice presented itself in the few instances in which the legislatures acknowledged certain rights, often rendering them little more than progress on paper.
Perhaps the 1920’s expressed more of an expansion on the discourses surrounding these rights than socially acknowledged and enforceable rights themselves.
The 1920s was a period in which white women experienced an expansion of rights, while other minority groups continued to face segregation and discrimination.
White women broke away from the restrictions of the Victorian era. They enjoyed the freedom to express their sexuality, use birth control, and bob their hair, signifying a new strong, independent woman in the new era. Whereas white women had increasing opportunities in the workforce, black women were severely limited in their economic opportunities, with racist policies limiting their jobs to factory work or domestic services.
Although the Great Migration provided African Americans with greater opportunities in the North, they still continued to have fewer rights than that of their white counterparts. The Jim Crow laws continued to provoke racism and inequality towards African Americans in the South.
The 1920’s did see an expansion of rights for certain groups in society. White women gained the most from this era while other groups such as African Americans continued to struggle for equal rights.
The 1920’s saw an expansion of rights for white women and African Americans, yet the context of their struggles were founded and sustained for separate reasons. Women had gained the vote in the previous decade and their expansion of rights was not so much legislative, but cultural and is represented by the changing image of the female from housewife to independent sexual entity (bobbed hair, busty Gibson girls and the cheeky flapper). Acceptance into the voting franchise was the catalyst to this shift in social norms. There was an erosion of rights for African Americans in the 1920’s, on the back of the Jim Crow laws yet self-determination, the ‘push/pull effect’ and the circuit breakers of the racial discourse (McGarvey and De Bois)paved the way for more cultural freedoms that flourished in the North. Although disenfranchised, African American women also enjoyed this new cultural landscape. Ultimately, this ‘expansion of rights’ in the 1920’s was brought to bear by the first tremors of the sexual revolution that took place in the early to mid 20th century, and the racial pressure cooker that had been sustained for too long by both a slavery hangover and the long held protestant belief in US exceptionalism.
Though the events of the 20's; the great internal migration, the granting of the vote to black men and women, and women's rights generally, expanded the rights of some groups of Americans, none of these advances were comprehensive in their coverage of the population or consistent in the results that they achieved.
While the great migration offered a wealth of new opportunity for the large portion of the southern black community that moved north and found work in one of the northern cities, they were almost always treated as second-rate citizens both in the nature of work they were offered and the pay they were given. Additionally while racism was not as uniform or as violent in the north as it had been in the south it was still a daily factor in the lives of many African-americans living in the north during this period. We must also take into account the majority of the southern population that stayed in the south and endured the segregation, intimidation and society-sanctioned murder that formed the backbone of Jim Crow.
Likewise, the granting of the vote, which had earlier been granted legally to black men and was then granted to women during this period brought about little actual change in the south, where Jim Crow ensured that neither of those groups were able to take advantage of the expanded rights that the amendments to the constitution supposedly afforded them.
Lastly, the increased availability of information about, and actual availability of birth control through this period was a story of small, hard fought steps in the right direction that were largely resisted by an extremely conservative population who feared what they saw as radical change from the norm. This pattern of small, often ceremonial changes runs through many socially progressive campaigns during this period.
While the 1920s saw many groups that had previously been marginalised in American society struggle to enhance their rights, little tangible progress was made with regard to African-American and women’s rights. Aside from the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote, there was little more than a subtle shift in gender roles in the United States. The situation was similar for African-Americans. While the debate over how best to enhance the rights of African-Americans was waged between groups such as the NAACP and UNIA, very little progress was made, with Jim Crow laws and racism still prevailing. Nevertheless, while it is going too far to claim that the 1920s witnessed an expansion of rights, there is little doubt that the process started in this decade served to facilitate the reforms that occurred later in the 20th century.
The 1920's witnessed a general expansion of rights for many Americans, but different subcultures within the U.S experienced different levels of empowerment. In the South, the Jim Crow laws were still restricting the African American population from achieving an equal status to that of white Americans and although some level of empowerment was achieved by black Americans during the Great Migration, segregation was still a problem and racial inequality was widespread.
ReplyDeleteWhite women during this time were also enjoying newfound freedoms, but on a much greater scale than their Afro-American counterparts.
The social reform that took place was widespread, but mainly restricted to certain demographics.
Stefan Nowak
25181033
Though many Americans enjoyed an expansion of rights in the 1920s there were many minority groups and subcultures that did not enjoy the benefits of these developments. While white women enjoyed a new found freedom and empowerment after World War One through outward expressions of progress such as bobbed hair, shorter dresses, a working girl persona, African American women were left behind this bandwagon until much later.
ReplyDeleteWith many parts of the country segregating black and white, the Ku Klux Klan in the North and Jim Crow laws in the South promoting racial segregation, it was obvious that freedoms for African Americans were still largely limited at this time.
Tamara Ungar
22047174
The 1920's saw the building of a framework for civil rights more than it actually accomplished these civil rights, during its time. Some progress was made however for black people and women.
ReplyDeleteSome progress was made by Garvey, who built his work on the principles of; equality for black people, self-respect for black people, defense in religion for black people, assertiveness and historical awareness for black people. This movement though not a great success helped lay the groundwork.
The migration of black people from the South to the North of America in the 1920's saw a different racism, a more subtle racism, and perhaps a little less racism. The opportunities black people had a bit more of in the North, despite the continuation of racism, however (work, freedom through music and religion), allowed for future growth in civil rights.
Women's rights in the 1920's could be said to have improved, though some of the improvements were problematic. Once again we see that some groundwork was laid down in the 1920's, and some progress was made. Women were given more independence, the bobbed hair was a symbol of this, and of self control. Women began to marry for love more often ("companionship" marriages) and met higher educational standards. They worked and made their own money, they felt more free in what seems like it was quite a sudden change. However when employed as secretaries (a common job for women), for instance, they found themselves often in a "professional marriage" (traditional women's roles hadn't changed that much). More importantly to receive more attention and opportunities they had to "market" themselves, as "commodities". This kind of objectification as a "commodity" remains a problem today, and perhaps though undesirable is testament to the power of changes made in this time, perhaps.
The 1920's saw different political groups, who were working for the same general goal, clashing. eg. Marcus Garvey's movement clashing with the NAACP. While some progress was made, these movements which could of been allied in fact undermined each other.
Causing problems for the establishment of civil rights in that time. Groundwork was though built and achieved in these movements, they challenged the standards of that time and got the ball rolling.
Thomas Owens
Although some may argue that there seemed to be a greater expansion of rights for many Americans in the 1920s, the size and demographic of change in that era and its effects was limited. Segregation and inequality still existed and despite the changes that happened during the war period, little had transpired in terms of the expansion of rights.
ReplyDeleteWomen are often considered to have gained many rights in the 1920s still had far to go in terms of rights being widespread and equal, particularly for African American women. Freedom and rights for African Americans, although slightly different dependent on location, had seen little change; particularly in the south where still heavily segregated with the Jim Crow laws allowing unequal status between races to be equal.
Shara Samra
During the 1920s, many Americans did witness an expansion of rights. However, these liberties were granted to select demographics. For example, white women were allowed access to freedom from the Victorian era, with the Flapper movement seeing short dresses, dancing, smoking in public, and bobbed hair – all which were previously unimaginable. Yet the Jim Crow laws still prevailed, limiting African Americans the ability to expand any rights and indulge in the privileges that were being experienced by the white populous.
ReplyDeleteMadeleine Mulcahy
22617256
As Tamara and Stefan have suggested in their posts, the 20’s witnessed the vocal and physical awakening of disenfranchised groups (namely women and African Americans) and the early stages of their ongoing onslaught toward claiming national recognition of autonomy, both morally and legally.
ReplyDeleteMuch experimentation and self exploration which was previously inconceivable for both groups went unimpeded by the nation state during this time. The cultural expressions of Jazz and gospel choirs in their Northern homes was pivotal in constructing a strong sense of African American identity, just as the shedding of their mother’s Victorian ideologies was empowering for the “modern” woman.
However, neither groups experienced the true emancipation they sought. Females remained largely housebound and confined to futures as male “helpers” in the workforce or homemakers, their drive toward these fields exacerbated by the new industries of consumption that pandered to their vanity.
Jim Crow Jurisdictions remained in the South and an equally restrictive yet invisible “colour line” appeared in the North that limited the availability of work and generally confirmed the African American’s subordinate image in the eyes of the white patriarchy that was 1920’s America.
It is my opinion therefore, that whilst the 1920’s was a period of great transformation in the USA for the previously “owned” and the voiceless, the experimentation that was ‘allowed’ at this time was merely a stepping stone on the pathway toward a true “expansion of rights” which occurred in the following decades.
Tiffany Korssen
24160806
1920’s America certainly played host to many achievements in the field of rights. The granting of women’s rights through the 19th Amendment was a highly successful result of the Suffragette movement and in 1924 the rights of Native Americans were realized as they were granted citizenship under the Indian Citizen Act. Although the rights of these two population groups were expanding, they were still quite far off being equal to white males.
ReplyDeleteAfrican Americans were not a part of this expansion as they were still facing segregation and racism, subtly in the North and blatantly in the South. The 1920’s did not provide them with solid legal rights, however African Americans found their voices being heard for the first time through events such as the Harlem Renaissance.
Kate Rivington
In a literal sense, many Americans did experience an expansion of rights during the 1920’s. Women enjoyed most of such newfound progress, signified by features that were symbolically significant at the time yet so unremarkable today – bobbed hair, shorter dresses and drinking in public. However, the advent of the Jim Crow laws virtually dismisses any claims that the 1920’s is a golden period in the history of America’s social revolution. Although The Great Migration bears many fruits for African Americans, their progress was still met with resistance in every step by the predominant white establishment.
ReplyDeleteGhian Tjandaputra Muhammad
21762198
While the 1920’s witnessed an expansion of rights and freedoms for American citizen’s they were certainly not exercised by all people throughout the nation. Middle-class white women seemed to gain the most from this era being granted the right to vote and greater autonomy in the social, political and economic aspects of their life which were often represented by the new ‘flapper’ image. The achievements of the white suffrage movement, although significant, were not however extended to black women or those below the poverty line. African-Americans also continued to suffer suppression and segregation by the Jim Crow laws (1880's-1960's) which enforced strong racism in the South and removed the right to vote from black American men. Thus while the 1920's experienced an expansion of rights these rights were only truly experienced by a privileged few.
ReplyDeleteBianca Sacco
23409029
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe 1920’s saw particular social groups granted an expansion of rights but not all Americans were inclusive of this. Women gained significantly the most during this era. Their values and style of life changed immensely from the traditions and conservative theme during the Victorian period. They gained the right to vote through the 19th amendment. This era brought about a new sense of individualism through vibrant and energetic expression. The image of ‘flapper’ demonstrates the new woman on the twenties. All this progress however did still not reach equality between men and women. In contrast this was a time of struggle for the African-Americans living in the nation who instead of gaining rights were being denied them. Living under the segregation and discrimination of the Jim Crow Laws. Racism was present across the country however more predominantly in the South. The twenties was a period in which change was successful however and expansion of rights only in a limited sense.
ReplyDeleteMadeleine Venn-Sandoval
24241687
While the 1920s saw an increase in the legislated rights of Americans, such as women being enabled to vote, and in the social rights of many groups, particularly women who had more freedom in their behaviour and dress. However, while these changes did occur, it is important to note that these did not reach all sections of society.
ReplyDeleteAfrican-American women located in the southern states were prevented from voting using the same mechanisms as those used to prevent African-American men. Methods, such as testing, were utilised by states to negate the Constitutional amendments which would enable the African-Americans, and other groups that were perceived to be unworthy, to fulfill their right to vote.
The 1920’s in America showed an expansion of rights for many Americans, although this was limited to an extent of who it included. In 1924, all Native Americans are granted the right to be recognised as citizens under the Indian Citizenship Act passed in the U.S. Congress. Under the 19th Amendment to the United States constitution on August 18th 1920, white American women are granted universal women’s suffrage and gain the right to vote. In the 1928 Olympics, women gained further rights to compete as professional athletes in athletics and gymnastics for the first time. Although women gained the right to vote and Native Americans gained citizenship, they still were not thought as equal to white men.
ReplyDeleteWhile the 1920’s saw an increase in rights and freedoms for white American women and Native Americans, African Americans were not included under this increasing of rights. Despite their movement from the openly violent, racist South to the more subtle racism of the North, African Americans gained very little in terms of constitutional rights. However, during the 1920’s, the Harlem Renaissance showed an expansion of African American culture and expression, through the gaining prominence of black authors, poets, actors, and musicians.
Alyssia Rudd
The 1920’s saw a definite exploration of the social standing and liberties of various oppressed demographics in the US. In many cases, the discourses involving these minorities took on a more visible manifestation than in the decades preceding; but the extent to which they then translated into legal rights perhaps falls short of common perceptions of the era.
ReplyDeleteWhite women were granted the 19th Amendment, Native American’s received the Indian Citizenship Act, and the Supreme Court deemed much of Jim Crow unconstitutional.
But the dichotomy between legal right and social prejudice presented itself in the few instances in which the legislatures acknowledged certain rights, often rendering them little more than progress on paper.
Perhaps the 1920’s expressed more of an expansion on the discourses surrounding these rights than socially acknowledged and enforceable rights themselves.
The 1920s was a period in which white women experienced an expansion of rights, while other minority groups continued to face segregation and discrimination.
ReplyDeleteWhite women broke away from the restrictions of the Victorian era. They enjoyed the freedom to express their sexuality, use birth control, and bob their hair, signifying a new strong, independent woman in the new era. Whereas white women had increasing opportunities in the workforce, black women were severely limited in their economic opportunities, with racist policies limiting their jobs to factory work or domestic services.
Although the Great Migration provided African Americans with greater opportunities in the North, they still continued to have fewer rights than that of their white counterparts. The Jim Crow laws continued to provoke racism and inequality towards African Americans in the South.
The 1920’s did see an expansion of rights for certain groups in society. White women gained the most from this era while other groups such as African Americans continued to struggle for equal rights.
Shalomi Anandarajan
The 1920’s saw an expansion of rights for white women and African Americans, yet the context of their struggles were founded and sustained for separate reasons.
ReplyDeleteWomen had gained the vote in the previous decade and their expansion of rights was not so much legislative, but cultural and is represented by the changing image of the female from housewife to independent sexual entity (bobbed hair, busty Gibson girls and the cheeky flapper). Acceptance into the voting franchise was the catalyst to this shift in social norms. There was an erosion of rights for African Americans in the 1920’s, on the back of the Jim Crow laws yet self-determination, the ‘push/pull effect’ and the circuit breakers of the racial discourse (McGarvey and De Bois)paved the way for more cultural freedoms that flourished in the North. Although disenfranchised, African American women also enjoyed this new cultural landscape.
Ultimately, this ‘expansion of rights’ in the 1920’s was brought to bear by the first tremors of the sexual revolution that took place in the early to mid 20th century, and the racial pressure cooker that had been sustained for too long by both a slavery hangover and the long held protestant belief in US exceptionalism.
Clare Kavanagh
Though the events of the 20's; the great internal migration, the granting of the vote to black men and women, and women's rights generally, expanded the rights of some groups of Americans, none of these advances were comprehensive in their coverage of the population or consistent in the results that they achieved.
ReplyDeleteWhile the great migration offered a wealth of new opportunity for the large portion of the southern black community that moved north and found work in one of the northern cities, they were almost always treated as second-rate citizens both in the nature of work they were offered and the pay they were given. Additionally while racism was not as uniform or as violent in the north as it had been in the south it was still a daily factor in the lives of many African-americans living in the north during this period. We must also take into account the majority of the southern population that stayed in the south and endured the segregation, intimidation and society-sanctioned murder that formed the backbone of Jim Crow.
Likewise, the granting of the vote, which had earlier been granted legally to black men and was then granted to women during this period brought about little actual change in the south, where Jim Crow ensured that neither of those groups were able to take advantage of the expanded rights that the amendments to the constitution supposedly afforded them.
Lastly, the increased availability of information about, and actual availability of birth control through this period was a story of small, hard fought steps in the right direction that were largely resisted by an extremely conservative population who feared what they saw as radical change from the norm. This pattern of small, often ceremonial changes runs through many socially progressive campaigns during this period.
While the 1920s saw many groups that had previously been marginalised in American society struggle to enhance their rights, little tangible progress was made with regard to African-American and women’s rights. Aside from the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote, there was little more than a subtle shift in gender roles in the United States. The situation was similar for African-Americans. While the debate over how best to enhance the rights of African-Americans was waged between groups such as the NAACP and UNIA, very little progress was made, with Jim Crow laws and racism still prevailing. Nevertheless, while it is going too far to claim that the 1920s witnessed an expansion of rights, there is little doubt that the process started in this decade served to facilitate the reforms that occurred later in the 20th century.
ReplyDelete