The 1920s
Armistice was signed on 11 November 1918. With the end of the First
World War, a new era of peace and prosperity was envisaged.
Most people had high expectations of the 1920 and although
the decade did not turn out to be as idyllic as they hoped, definite improvements were
made in areas such as health, education and the standard of living.
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The political situation
The political situation during the 1920s was extremely complex. In foreign affairs,
it was soon discovered that all had not been solved by the First World War and
that international differences were still numerous. Russia, with her threat
of Bolshevism, was regarded with mistrust, and nearer home,
Adolph Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy were growing in power.
Attempts were made to prevent further disagreements by the Locarno Pact (1925) and
the Kellogg Pact (1928). The former guaranteed the French frontiers and the
latter invited all nations to renounce aggressive warfare. It had been signed by all major
countries including the USA and the USSR by 1930.
At home, Ireland was a continual source of concern as more and more violent means were used by extremists to persuade the British Government to grant Ireland her independence. On the British mainland, unemployment and the worsening economic climate were the major issues to be dealt with, culminating in the crisis of the General Strike in 1926.
These problems would have been difficult for a stable government to cope with. However, during the decade there were six changes of government, and the emergence to power of a new political party. For the last fifty years the Conservative and Liberal Parties had dominated the political scene, but by 1918 the Labour Party had emerged and was steadily growing in support and confidence. The first Labour Government was in power in 1924.
Many more people were entitled to vote in the 1920s than ever before. After the war there was universal male suffrage, and votes for women over the age of 30. An Act of 1928 allowed women over the age of 21 to vote also, a move which caused considerable concern at the time.
"Bright Young Things"
With a life style very different from "normal" during the 1920s, the "Bright Young Things"
scandalized many people by their madcap activities. They were a small group of upper class young people
who specialized in doing shocking things drinking a lot, driving fast cars in a dangerous manner
and indulging in outrageous behaviour. They loved playing pranks, especially at the expense of others.
One young lady, at an important buffet party attended by many famous people, replaced all the ham in
the sandwiches with pink flannel and then watched gleefully as the guests dealt with their
surprise! Midnight bathing, treasure hunts and parties were also loved. At one party in 1928, all
the guests arrived dressed up as babies. As the "Bright Young Things" were mostly titled people,
all their antics were eagerly reported by the press, to the disgust of the more conservative members
of society.
Women
During the war many women, by force of circumstances, had become more independent. Many had done "men's jobs" and when the war ended were not prepared to go back to their former, restricted way of life.
In the 1920s more women than ever before had a job and some achieved high positions, the most notable being Margaret Bondfield who in 1929 became the first woman Cabinet Minister. In 1928 women over the age of 21 were given the vote and this further enhanced their status. (The previous age limit had been 30.) For those who remained at home (and the vast majority did, once they were married), the situation was also improving. Families tended to be much smaller and homes were becoming much easier to run.
Their new found freedom was reflected in fashion as women gaily abandoned their old corsets and long, heavy dresses in favour of short, loose frocks. Very "modern" girls also
wore make up, smoked in public and
used slang.
Entertainment Music 1920s Sport
During the Twenties everyone was eager to enjoy themselves and there was a boom in popular entertainment.
The radio, and the BBC, had the greatest influence. In 1922 Sports were also considered
important and the most popular included football, tennis, swimming, skating and greyhound racing.
1920s Transport
Huge improvements were made in transport. Cars became available to anyone who could pay and by
1930 there were over one
million private cars on the roads. In towns, trams and omnibuses provided a cheap and efficient
service, while charabancs and motor buses opened up new possibilities for country people. No new railways
were built, but the London Underground was extended to include the developing suburbs.
Aeroplanes were much loved. Flying exhibitions attracted large crowds and anyone who could afford it
could buy his or her own aeroplane. A Gypsy Moth, for example, cost £595 in 1926. Passenger
airlines became yearly more sophisticated and by the end of the decade were taking travellers to
destinations all over the world.
Extract from “Growing up in The 1920s”, written by Amanda Clark. London: B.T.Batsford Ltd, 1986.
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