Leisure Tme

 NEW TIMES NEW LEISURE

 The 1920's era of the United States was one of the most revolutionary times across the board for 

American and the world in general, form new companies coming into the scene to new sports being played. 

The Roaring 20's was the time to live for the average American. The economy was growing and introducing 

more money across the board of wealth and classes.

 

New companies began to evolve, along with this new lifestyle; But instead of following the times these

companies were driving the populations interest. Companies such as Black and Decker arose in this time 

period adding more gadgets to the average persons life. There was now a rising abundance of malls and 

shops allowing for more currency exchange. Manufacturers began to take advantage of this new era and 

began making their own products along with the production of others. The American public then saw these 

items and purchased them at a rate never before seen through the middle to lower classes.

 Americans had changed their fundamental work values and ethics with the new era. Instead of work 

as hard as possible then go to bead and start over again until the weekend they now wanted to play first 

then work, not unlike today's society. This new change once again drove up the wants of the American 

public; they wanted new things to do and were willing to pay to get it.

This was made possible by the fact that the economy had shot up, allowing for more commerce not 

only within the country but also across it. All this new money had been earned by the middle class society.  

This was made possible because of the new workers laws that included a minimum wage and maximum 

hours limitations. As to be expected the minimum wage being set made it where workers salaries had been 

risen. The maximum hours law gave Americans more free time which once again added interest into the 

leisure time.

Less hours and more money lead Americans to be more inclined to spend more of their money of 

leisure products. But as the times were changing along with the new work ethic something else changed, 

how Americans wanted to spend their free time. Pre-1900's leisure time was spent alone in the confines of 

the house relaxing, but the change took a more modern approach Americans now wanted to go out and 

shop or go watch a baseball game. Americans now had the money to do this and the free time to go.

American pass-times had been irreverent pre-1900's but now they hit the old cliche of the "American 

Pass-time". They now had money and time to do what they wanted, spectator sports came into play as 

Americans needed more to do. Baseball became the most common sport played because of its simple goal.  

Games would be watched in envy and excitement much like modern sports today, little has changed from 

the spectators side.

America hit its biggest economic boom in the 1920's with this brought a treasure trove of changes 

across the board. The American population had to evolve in order to keep up with this new era which was a 

total role reversal from previous years. The United States has changed little since the last major revolution. 

what is next?

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/1102/mlb-milestone-contracts/images/babe-ruth.jpg

http://www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk/collections/images/Eastney_2002-660_CULLIMORE%20SHOP.jpg

Works Cited

Brinkley, Alan. American History. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.

Davis, Clark. JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Fischer, Claude S. JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

"The Golden Age of Sports: A Roaring Replay of the 1920's." The Golden Age of Sports: A Roaring Replay of the 1920's. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

"Google Books." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

"How Did Americans Enjoy Their Leisure Time in 1920s?" Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo!, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Lloyd, Timothy. JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

"The Roaring 20's." Angelfire.com. N.p., n.d. Web.