Book Review: Rethinking the 1920s: Historians and Changing Perspectives by David J. Goldberg

David J. Goldberg

A professor of history at the Cleveland State University, David J. Goldberg has spent much of his career in the field of history publishing books on the decade of the 1920s. In addition to “Rethinking the 1920s: Historians and Changing Perspectives,” Goldberg published “Discontented America – The United States in the 1920s” through the Johns Hopkins University Press in 1999. The courses that he teaches at Cleveland State University reflect his deep interest in the 1920s as well as having a focus in the history of immigration, which played an essential role in forming America in the 1920s.

A Summary of “Rethinking the 1920s: Historians and Changing Perspectives”

Goldberg begins his piece by emphasizing the importance of the 1920s, especially to historians, and how the two presidencies throughout the decade had a significant role in shaping it to be what it was. Politics throughout the decade put stress on either party, specifically in regards to the outcome of the Treaty of Versailles that became effective in January of 1920. Goldberg also explains the controversy over prohibition and the temperance movement and lists several books with information on this subject. He also discusses other social and racial issues that occurred during this time, such as the controversy of the Scopes trial and discussing creationism in public schools as well as the rise of the Ku Klux Klan as a result of the shift in social norms. People were resistant to social change and threatened by its idea, which led to violent and hateful groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. Goldberg lists some sources that discuss the rise of the Klan as well as women’s role in it. Enforcement on immigration to the United States was very much persuaded by these racist ideals. Domestic migration, however, was also a considerable marking of the 1920s; many Black people were escaping the South and making their way into the North which led to revolutions revolving around Black culture. Goldberg writes about the importance of the Harlem Renaissance and gives an anthology of all the works published during this time. He also notes the racial disparity in the South as many Black people remained there instead of moving North.

Goldberg also mentions how the role and the expectations of women completely shifted during this time as there was a heavier emphasis on fashion and maintaining beauty standards. Aside from vanity, women also demanded more rights and thus began the birth control movement; subjects such as this no longer remained taboo. Women secured a place in Hollywood and many famous actresses became synonymous with glamor and wealth. Finally, Goldberg notes how American novels and books were key pieces in understanding the decade, specifically F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby. Goldberg’s monograph is an extensive source of readings and books that educate readers on the decade that was the 1920s.

Goldberg’s writing covers a large scope of the 1920s and uses multiple sources from different years to create a comprehensive historiography of the 1920s. He gathers information from several different historians and authors to create his writing and form his opinions on the events that emphasized the 1920s. He did not stick to one certain decade or style of writing, nor did he narrow his views down to one or two subjects. He covers many defining aspects of the 1920s and backs it up with other research and sources.