3 Review(s)

In the latest addition to the America in the Twentieth Century series, Dunar provides a sweeping account of the twentieth century's second decade. Beginning with the social, political, and economic circumstances in the United States in 1910, America in the Teens presents the themes and pivotal events that shaped America during this tumultuous period. The election of 1912, World War I, social change in the late Progressive Era, the influence of war on women and minorities, and changes in the motion picture industry are among the many issues covered in this eminently readable, concise text. Dunar traces the development of a vibrant society during a time of enormous change and explores the ways in which Americans reacted. World War I brought our nation to the forefront of the world's great powers but also provoked divisions that Americans would confront through the twentieth century and beyond: racial tensions, immigration issues, and labor-management disputes. At the same time, there were progressive triumphs: women earned the right to vote; American industry made great strides, symbolized by the mass production of Henry Ford's automobiles; and American cinema and jazz enjoyed international acclaim. Combining an engrossing narrative with intelligent analysis, America in the Teens enriches our understanding of that critical era.