Although many Americans thought of the 1920s as a time of liberation and success, many others viewed the new "consumer society" as abhorrent, undesirable, and hypocritical as nearly half of the country was left behind. The ten years between 1919 and 1929 took Europeans and Americans on a social and economic roller coaster. The 1920s roared with sustained prosperity, numerous technological advancements, artistic innovations, and a vibrant culture, earning it the most popular nickname at the time: The Roaring '20s. After a brief but sharp recession following World War I from 1920 to 1921, the United States experienced an economic boom. As soldiers returned home to their loved ones, people began to abandon their cautious attitudes caused by the uncertainties of war and began to develop a more joyful and peaceful lifestyle. During the war, the country supplied Europe and other nations with manufactured goods and agricultural products, making the United States a rich trader and source of investment dollars for other countries. As a result, the United States was the strongest economy in the world. Businesses shifted from supplying military goods to producing commercial products. This change has created a higher standard of living, a larger middle class, and new opportunities for most people. Wages were raised by major industrial leaders. Consumer credit was significantly expanded, and new installment plans allowed families to spend money early. With a prosperous economy and peak employment, more and more people began spending their money on entertainment, household products, and luxury items such as automobiles. The automobile was the most important consumer product of the 1920s as it became the symbol of the new America....... middle of paper .......spans the centuries. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. November 30, 2013, 1:36 am http://www.encyclopedia.com.4. Scott, Roberto. "The 1920s in History". The 1920s. Np, 2005. Web. November 22, 2013, 5:15 pm http://www.1920-30.com.5. “19th Amendment adopted.” 2013. The History Channel website. November 22, 2013, 4:44 am http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/19th-amendment-adopted.6. "History of the IGCSE". Dhahran British Grammar School. Np, nd Web. December 1, 2013, 11:31 am http://www.dhahranbritish.com/history/A9_HenryFord.htm.7. “Radio in the 1920s.” American Studies at the University of Virginia. Np, nd Web. November 30, 2013, 3:20 pm http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug00/3on1/radioshow/1920radio.htm.8. “The Roaring Twenties: The Effects of the Automobile on American Life.” Yahoo Contributor Network. Np, nd Web. November 29, 2013, 5:54 am http://voices.yahoo.com/the-roaring-1920s-effects-automobile-on-128540.html.