Known as the "Roaring Twenties", the 1920s in America was overall a decade of great prosperity and optimism following the First World War. It was a phrase used to describe the period of sustained economic, cultural, and social success that existed in 1920s United States. The decade brought new forms of art such as the Art Deco movement, the blossoming of the jazz movement; in addition women's suffrage, mass industrialization, and accelerated technological advancements. However, this redefined American image was launched by dramatic changes initiated by the conclusion of World War I, as well as the consumer ideology that began to dominate American culture. As a result of a devastating and bloody world war, popular sentiment in America returned to a foreign policy of isolationism. Americans didn't want to get caught up in any more European affairs and thus resisted any formal policies, diplomacy, or arrangements that might lead the US into any military engagement. Also, the manufacturing pace needed to support the war led to an industrial boom as employment, production, and technological advancements skyrocketed. Economic prosperity continued after the war as more Americans had jobs and work wages increased. People of all classes were now able to spend more money leading to a consumer based culture. On the other hand, the passage of the 18th amendment that banned alcohol changed the US into a breeding place for organized crime and law breaking. It can be argued that US entrance into World War I and consumerism [together] had a great impact on American society economically, socially and culturally. However, other factors contributed to immediate changes such as nationwide prohibition. .
Following the conclusion of World War I, American sentiment towards foreign affairs changed drastically back to isolationism in order to avoid another overseas European conflict. World War I took the lives of approximately 110,000 soldiers and cost the US about $32 billion dollars in order to fund it.
