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GG Research Paper
The Freedom of the Jazz Age
To the current generation, jazz music seems like something our grandparents use to put
them to sleep. However, this was not always the case. Jazz music became popular during the
1920’s and shook up the social life of teens and young adults. This period became known as the
Jazz Age. Several advances in technology, fashion, and music made the Jazz Age a time of for
exploration and freedom.
The first and most prominent reason for this freedom was the invention of the
automobile. According to the American History website, “There was an explosion of sales of the
automobile during the 1920’s, enhancing the mobility of Americans” (“The Automobile”). This
proves that the Jazz Age was free because teens had a new found place to go on dates without
adult supervision. Not only did it offer youth the ability to explore, but it gave families the ability
to travel farther and not be confined to one area. They gained freedom of mobility. In addition,
women explored their sexuality through their clothing in the Jazz Age. The Fashion in the
1920’s site states, “women wore short skirts, cut their hair, and showed more skin” (Smith).
Women no longer felt that they needed to stay at home and cover up like their mothers had. They
found freedom in their ability to leave their conservative clothes and the role of motherhood
behind. While technology and fashion greatly contributed to the liberation of the Jazz Age, they
were not the only factors.
Although this may be true, some historians may argue that the Jazz Age was actually
a more constricting time period because of Prohibition. Unlike any other age, alcohol was
completely illegal during this time to increase family life. However, the Jazz Age and
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prohibition actually spurred freedom. The Jazz Age website argues that as people listened to jazz
music, they danced promiscuously and drank alcohol illegally (“Music and Prohibition”). This
demonstrates that this new music influenced people to drink despite the fact that it was a crime.
Most older people were outraged at the Jazz Age’s rebellious behavior.
Ultimately, prohibition laws did not make the 1920’s morally sound because other
influences made this decade the free Jazz Age. The invention of the automobile, the emergence
of the flapper, and the creation of jazz music caused exploration and liberation. With new
inventions come new freedoms. Society is continually reinventing itself and continually
becoming more rebellious by the day.
**Works Cited should go on separate page**
Works Cited
“Music and Prohibition.” The Jazz Age. United States History Museum, 8 January 2009. Web. 1
April 2014.
Smith, Joanna. “Flappers.” The Fashion in the 1920’s. American History, 2008. Web. 1 April
2014.
“The Automobile.” American History. U.S. History, 16 June 2012. Web. 1 April 2014.