The 1920s are called the Roaring Twenties largely because of a combination of strong economic growth, cultural upheaval, and a sense of exuberant optimism that followed World War I. This era saw rapid modernization, widespread adoption of new technologies, and bold social and cultural experimentation, especially in the United States and other Western nations. The term is closely associated with jazz music, nightlife, flapper culture, and dramatic changes in fashion and entertainment, which together gave the decade a lively, energetic reputation. The nickname may also echo an earlier boating phrase about winds in the “roaring forties,” but its common usage highlights the decade’s spirited, high-energy character. The period eventually ended with the stock market crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression.
