Transformation and Reaction: America, 1921-1945

The subject of "change" is foremost in the minds of Americans today. But when it comes to looking at our past, our country’s pattern of change—and the response initiated by it—can take on added relevance, providing a meaningful context for understanding historical events. This is the idea behind Jeansonne’s Transformation and Reaction. Capturing the revolutionary episodes that left their mark on America between World War I and the close of World War II, this insightful volume considers how these movements—and the reactions to them—affected the political, social, and cultural fabric of our country. Jeansonne weaves this "transformation and reaction" theme into a compelling narrative to explore the prevailing tensions of each decade. Highlights include a focus on the established policies of our country, as well as the apparent contradictions in those policies, and coverage of American history, from the political conservatism and cultural radicalism of the 1920s, through the Depression, New Deal, and economic boom fostered by World War II. Significant emphasis is placed on women and minorities. Major society-altering inventions, such as the automobile and airplane, also are discussed.