- Home
- Colonial Era
- Revolution Era
- Antebellum Era
- The Civil War
- Industrial/Progressive Era
- Summary on "roaring 20's" to Vietnam
- Roaring '20's
- 1929: Stock market crash and Great Depression
- 1932: FDR elected and New Deal begins
- 1941-1945: Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and WWII
- 1945-1991: Cold War
- 1963-1973: Vietnam War
- 1968-1991: Conservatism Era
- Key Terms
- Forum
- Quiz
- Blog
- Essay questions
The "Roaring '20's" to "Women's Liberation"
From the 1920's to the 1960's,women's roles has changed deeply.
After receiving voting rights with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, more opportunities for women opened in America for them to be a part of in the political, economic and social society. This period saw many events that had an impact on women's lives like the Great Depression, WWII and the Civil Rights movement. It was in this period, that women worked outside their homes in larger numbers than ever before, making a large contribution to America's economy.
More women enter the work force, especially around WWII when half of the population of men went over seas to fight in the war, giving most women factory jobs until after WWII with the return of the men. Throughout this time, women had to overcome discrimination and the fear from men that women were a threat in their workplace.
Women's contribution on politics grew, especially after winning the right to vote. They affected presidential election, passages of laws and even ran for office. With their increased involvement in politics, women shaped the country's outlook on women's citizenship and the idea of democracy. Women were leaders of and participants in many movements that had an impact on the country and lives of all Americans (men, women and children). The impact of these movements, from birth-control access to child labor laws, can still be felt today.
Women's access to education had brought them more opportunities and choices in their lives, giving them more political, economic and social independence. Even motherhood, a traditional role since Colonial times, had evolved and it's definition changed by women's needs, actions, and the greater society. Although, numerous women were working outside the home, many women saw themselves as staying home and taking care of their children, husband and house. A family's income often determine a woman would stay at home, hire housekeepers or go out to work.