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This generation of Americans also hoped to make the world a more democratic place. At home, this meant expanding the right to vote to women and a number of election reforms such as the recall, referendum, and direct election of Senators. Abroad, it meant trying to make the world safe for democracy. In 1917, the United States joined Great Britain and France--two democratic nations--in their war against autocratic Germany and Austria-Hungary. Soon after the Great War, the majority of Americans turned away from concern about foreign affairs, adopting an attitude of live and let live.
The 1920s, also known as the "roaring twenties" and as "the new era," were
similar to the Progressive Era in that America continued its economic growth and
prosperity. The incomes of working people increased along with those of middle class and
wealthier Americans. The major growth industry was automobile manufacturing. Americans
fell in love with the automobile, which radically changed their way of life. On the other
hand, the 1920s saw the decline of many reform activities that had been so widespread
after 1900. |
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Rise of Industrial America | Progressive Era to New Era | Great Depression and World War II |
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Last updated 09/26/2002 |