Hm. Probably not the first three terms that come to mind when you think about the 1920s, right? And yet they're apt—both then and now. There are striking similarities between 1920s and recent decades. In fact, for many historians, the 1920s marks the emergence of “modern America.” 

By the time your students finish this unit they should recognize many of the features of modern life such as mass consumption, the cult of celebrity, and the preoccupation and commercialization of sex. They should also recognize many of the same social anxieties—such as concerns about immigration, political scandals, and race—as well as some familiar battles (i.e., religious conservatives vs. social progressives).