Women in the 1920s USA: Challenges and Progress

Before WW1, women were expected to lead restrictive lives, wear restrictive clothes, and behave politely. They were not allowed to wear makeup, participate in sports, smoke in public, or vote. They were expected to be housewives and were in lower-paid jobs.

During WW1, women entered industries.

In 1920, women gained the right to vote in all states, domestic work became easier, they wore daring clothes, smoked in public, drank with men, kissed in public, and took on jobs.

Women were still paid less than men, even in the same job. They were considered cheaper employees. In politics, women did not achieve equality with men and were unelectable. Novels and films of the period could be misleading. Many conservative and religious women reacted in opposition and outrage.

Immigration from 1901-1910 brought Jews from Eastern Europe and Russia fleeing persecution and Italians fleeing poverty. The USA prided itself on being a melting pot, but immigrant groups competed for the best jobs and housing.

In the 1920s, racist attitudes and fear of Bolshevism or communism led to prejudice against immigrants who could bring those ideas. Those with radical political beliefs were rounded up, with Hoover and Palmer playing key roles.

Italian Americans were high-profile victims of the Red Scare. Arrested in 1920, they were executed in 1927, blamed for being anarchists and enemies of the government.

In 1924, the government restricted immigration, favoring immigrants from Northwest Europe and limiting those from Southern and Eastern Europe.

White governments introduced laws to control the freedom of Black Americans, denying them access to good jobs, education, and voting rights.

A white supremacy movement that used violence to intimidate Black Americans, the KKK was a powerful force in the 1920s, leading to many deaths by lynching.

In the North, Black Americans had better opportunities for jobs and education, leading to successful movements and campaigns to end racial segregation laws.

Despite some progress, many Black Americans in Northern cities still faced poverty, prejudice, and lack of access to quality education and healthcare.