Episode 14: the Roaring 20s

The 1920s were a decade of dazzling prosperity, cultural revolutions, and social tensions that reshaped American life. Known as the "Roaring 20s," this era saw booming industries, jazz music, and the rise of modern consumer culture... but also deep divisions over race, immigration, and Prohibition. In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we explore the highs and lows of the 1920s, from the economic boom and the Harlem Renaissance to the Red Scare and clashes between tradition and change. We’ll examine how women’s roles evolved, how Prohibition fueled organized crime, and how the decade’s excesses set the stage for the Great Depression. This episode is designed to accompany my Roaring Twenties unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms. Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.