-
Popular Art Convention "Fadeaway Girl" Conceived
C. Coles Phillips designed an intriguing magazine cover that combined foreground and background colors. This soon became a popular art convention. It is an example of the Modernist idea of breaking away from tradition and experimenting as it was distinctly different than older art pieces. -
Mass Production of Ford Model T Automobile Begins
Ford's Model T was the first automobile to be mass produced at a price affordable for average citizens rather than simply the wealthy. This would be important in terms of the modernist view prominent in the 1920's that people should live extravagant lifestyles, have fun, and go places. People could now go into the city when they wanted to attend parties. -
World War I Ends
Documentary on World War I and the 1920sThe end of the war left the returning soldiers empty, and they were to be labeled as the Lost Generation. After experiencing the horrors of the war, the American dream felt broken to them and they spent their time acquiring wealth in order to make them happy, though it truly only left them empty. Many Americans also came to have anti-war views. -
18th Amendment Passed
The 18th Amendment made the production or sale of alcohol illegal. This event would be significant in making alcohol extremely popular during the 1920s, showing the anti-government sentiment and desire for excess felt by those of the Lost Generation and the Modernists in general. -
19th Amendment Passed
History of Women's Right to Vote in US The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. This illustrates the Modernist view of going against traditional social conventions as women were not considered as inferior as before and were allowed more freedoms. -
Publication of This Side of Paradise
Discussion of Lost Generation WritersIn this novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the main character serves in World War I and upon his return he falls in love with a woman who breaks off their engagement to marry a wealthier man. In the end, he is left with little as he is poor and all of his close family members are dead. This story is representative of the beliefs of the Lost Generation, who felt that the American dream was lost after seeing the horrors of World War I and being neglected by the government afterward. -
Publication of Three Soldiers
This novel by John Dos Passos was the the first major anti-war novel of this period. It shows how the horrors of World War I caused modernist view to become more anti-war as they wanted to stop fighting and enjoy living. The Lost Generation rebelled against authority and tried to live life to its fullest by acquiring wealth and living in luxury. -
Publication of The Great Gatsby
F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is the story of a man who goes to great lengths to obtain wealth in order to win the girl of his dreams but fails. In the end he is left with nothing and feels empty. This story represents the Lost Generation belief that wealth does not bring happiness and that those who work hard may not always achieve their dreams. -
Article Published About Welding
The Literary Digest published an article about the introduction of welding to the construction of skyscrapers. Where previously rivets would have been used, welding allowed for taller buildings to be built more easily. Skyscrapers show the modernist view of wanting buildings to look nice rather than just serving a purpose, and for people to live extravagant lives. -
Publication of The Sun Also Rises
This novel by Ernest Hemingway is about a World War I veteran who is in love with an engaged woman. Most men tend to fall in love with this woman, and throughout the novel this leads to conflict. In the end the main character and the woman decide that despite their love for each other, they can't be together. This represents the Lost Generation ideal that happiness cannot be found as the American dream is broken and no one can get what they truly dream of. -
Syncronized Sound Introduced to Motion Pictures
Where motion pictures had previously been silent, it was now possible for them to have synchronized sound. This made motion pictures an even more popular form of entertainment than they had previously been. Motion pictures appealed to the modernists' longing for fun and to live extravagantly, especially after the world was shaken by World War I. -
Chrysler Building Construction Started
When completed, the Chrysler Building would be the highest building in the world prior to the construction of the Empire State Building. Its elegant design and ridiculous height show how modernists felt the need to push the envelope and to live extravagantly. -
Germany, France, and US Sign Kellogg-Briand Pact
Signing of the Kellogg-Briand PactThe Kellogg-Briand Pact was meant to outlaw war and promote international peace. It demonstrates the anti-war attitude of the modernists after World War I and how they wanted to make the most of life. -
Publication of A Farewell to Arms
This novel by Ernest Hemingway is an example of the Lost Generation's belief that the American dream was broken and that those who work hard do not always achieve their dreams. This is evident as the main character of the novel, a soldier, risks everything to be with the woman he loves but their child ends up dying and his lover shortly afterward. Like those of the Lost Generation, the soldier is left empty after the war and unable to return home because of his desertion. -
Stock Market Crashes
Stock Market Crash The crash of the stock market signaled the end of the Roaring Twenties and the Lost Generation faded away making way for the Great Depression.
