1920S And 1930S With Reference To Hemingway

1920S And 1930S With Reference To Hemingway And Fitzgerald Essay, Research Paper The 1920’s exemplified the changing attitudes of American’s toward foreign relations, society, and leisure activities. The twenty years that fell between 1920 and 1940 were a time period that has shaped America not only because it is the darkest period in the countries? history, but also because of how many lives were affected for the worst. Disillusionment and isolationism were beginning to shape parts of America by adding to the confusion that had taken place after the conclusion of WW1. This was seen not only economically, but socially as well. Americans, in the years following the end of World War I found themselves in an era, where they simply wished to detach themselves from the

troubles of Europeans and the rest of the world. During the years of the Twenties, the economy was prosperous, there was widespread social reform, new aspects of culture were established, and people found better ways to improve their lifestyle. Overall, the people, released from the pressures of a war government enjoyed life. The 1920s and 1930s defined America as a period when the society that so longed to forget the war, that they were slowly transformed into a population where self-love was rampant, and the morals that America had been so tediously grasping to, fell away. Through the novels of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, the attitudes of disillusionment and isolation are seen in Americans are a direct outcome of the

weakening of societies moral codes, and the death of the ?American Dream.? The effect of the war on the general population was one of discontent and isolationary feelings towards the countries that had caused them to see the cracks within their dream of a peaceful existence. Following World War I, many Americans demanded that the United States stay out of European affairs in the future. The United States Senate even refused to accept the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I and provided for the establishment of the League of Nations. The Senate chose to refuse the Treaty in the fear that it could result in the involvement of the United States in future European wars. Americans simply did not wish to deal with, or tolerate the problems of Europe and abroad.

(Burg 167)A key factor that they did not recognize was that after the war, there was an increased flow of immigrants seeking a better life. These “new” immigrants were largely from Italy, Russia, and Ireland, countries the Americans regarded as uncultured and generally bothersome. (Burg 128) There was a mixed reaction to these incoming foreigners. While they provided industries with a cheap source of labor, Americans were both afraid of, and hostile towards these new groups. They differed from the “typical American” in language, customs, and religion. Many individuals and industries alike played upon America’s fears of immigration to further their own goals. As a measure of relief, the war torn and disillusioned Americans turned their attention to problems at home that

had festered while America was off at war. Unknown to almost the whole population, a time of despair and darkness was to soon fall upon them. During the 1920?s, the economy was high and generally prosperous for almost all Americans. During this time period, many people were content with their economic lives and there was no large complaint in the area of labor unions and workers complaints. However, the Great Depression in the 1930?s was a time of hardship and poverty for many workers. A large percentage of legislation that was created in the 1930?s, focused on the treatment of workers and the problems they experienced. Unions actually benefited with the help of Franklin D. Roosevelt who promised Americans a “New Deal”. The Wagner Act was passed which guaranteed workers the