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Social Changes In The 1920s Essay

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The culture of the 1920s was unlike anything seen before. With newly found freedoms and booming industries, the 1920s were a time of prosperity where life was energetic and thriving. Evidence of this unique time in American history can be found in the artwork of the decade. The social changes of America in the 1920s are displayed in John Held’s magazine advertisement for Arrow shirts. There were many social changes during the 1920s, especially changes to the arts. One major social change of the 1920s was women’s rights. Women gained the right to vote and became more liberated. The iconic flapper style, loose short dresses and blunt bobs, was created during that time (History.com Staff). Many cultural changes occurred during the Jazz Age. …show more content…

was a famous illustrator known for his art pieces that reflect the lifestyle of the 1920s in America. John Held Jr. was born on January 10, 1889 to John Held Sr. and Annie Evans Held in Salt Lake City, Utah. He began drawing at age three and received no formal art training later in his life. Held attended West High school before becoming part of the Salt Lake Tribune staff as a Cartoonist at age 14. He left Utah in 1910 to move to New York City to pursue a career in art (“John Held Jr”). Held sold many of his cartoons to popular magazines of the era, including: The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and Life. Held quickly became very popular and wealthy, traveling in the high-society circles (History Blazer). Held, like many others, lost his fortune due to the Stock Market crash of 1929. By 1931, he was not making much as an artist, causing him to have a mental breakdown and his first marriage to end in divorce. After this, he began painting somber works and writing novels. He never recovered his commercial success; however, his Jazz Age cartoons were always popular. John Held died in New Jersey on March 2, 1958 due to throat cancer (History Blazer). John Held’s works were, and continue to be, very popular due to their style and energetic content. John held’s success is due to his ability to capture the ideals and excitement of the 1920s in a simple

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