The 192os and 30s
Australia in the 1920s was growing and changing rapidly. Technology developed, such as electricity, that made day-to-day life easier, and social changes benefited many Australians as health, entertainment and education advanced. For other Australians, these changes conflicted with their old-fashioned morals. They disagreed with more women coming into the workforce, and richer women leading freer lifestyles.
Transport and electrical appliances brought Australia closer together and allowed for an economy to develop. Electricity became widespread in 1929, but the Model T Ford came even earlier in 1924. Aerial services like the Royal Flying Doctor Service and what would become QANTAS in the future. Pioneers like Bert Hinkler, Charles Ulm and Charles Kingsford Smith established air transport for the rich. Suburban railway systems facilitated by electricity gave average Australians mobility and created more suburbs. The Sydney Harbour Bridge began construction and became an icon of modernity and Australia's technological advances.
Moral changes after World War I led to an increase in divorce, illegitimacy and pre-marital sex. Upper class women could afford social freedoms which came in the form of shorter hemlines, wilder parties and American culture. For poorer women, however, life remained the same as it was pre-war, with the same restrictive ideas about family and work.
For the Australia's emerging modern artists, the growing city transformed into a mecca of colour, light, movement and life. Buildings, businesses and transport dramatically changed the tempo of urban life, and this became the vibrant subject of post-impressionist art.
The Australian economy continued to strengthen in the 1920s until the Wall Street Stock Market crash changed the face of Australian society into the 1930s. Many families lost any form of income and security, and people became violent in protest of the government. The loss of thousands of businesses meant that men lost their jobs, many of whom were unskilled or older, and would be out of work for the rest of the decade. People begged for work walking through the city, rural areas and travelling between these two. Men were desperate for jobs, and the process of fighting for a days' work was humiliating.
Meanwhile, women were forced to stay at home and put their children before themselves. This affected their health and caused huge stress and exhaustion. Their children often had their education cut short to earn a small amount of money.
The most unfortunate families were evicted from their homes and had to live in shanty towns of makeshift homes. These events were humiliating for many people and they were not seen as "real men" because they could not provide for their families. Accepting relief payments from the government was seen as a final loss of dignity.
On the other hand, the richer Australians in the 1930s continued living a comfortable life as prices fell. Those who were able to keep their jobs through the Depression were likely to experience an increased standard of living. Australian art continued to develop, with successful and financially secure artists producing more exciting works, especially in Sydney, finally connected by the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Transport and electrical appliances brought Australia closer together and allowed for an economy to develop. Electricity became widespread in 1929, but the Model T Ford came even earlier in 1924. Aerial services like the Royal Flying Doctor Service and what would become QANTAS in the future. Pioneers like Bert Hinkler, Charles Ulm and Charles Kingsford Smith established air transport for the rich. Suburban railway systems facilitated by electricity gave average Australians mobility and created more suburbs. The Sydney Harbour Bridge began construction and became an icon of modernity and Australia's technological advances.
Moral changes after World War I led to an increase in divorce, illegitimacy and pre-marital sex. Upper class women could afford social freedoms which came in the form of shorter hemlines, wilder parties and American culture. For poorer women, however, life remained the same as it was pre-war, with the same restrictive ideas about family and work.
For the Australia's emerging modern artists, the growing city transformed into a mecca of colour, light, movement and life. Buildings, businesses and transport dramatically changed the tempo of urban life, and this became the vibrant subject of post-impressionist art.
The Australian economy continued to strengthen in the 1920s until the Wall Street Stock Market crash changed the face of Australian society into the 1930s. Many families lost any form of income and security, and people became violent in protest of the government. The loss of thousands of businesses meant that men lost their jobs, many of whom were unskilled or older, and would be out of work for the rest of the decade. People begged for work walking through the city, rural areas and travelling between these two. Men were desperate for jobs, and the process of fighting for a days' work was humiliating.
Meanwhile, women were forced to stay at home and put their children before themselves. This affected their health and caused huge stress and exhaustion. Their children often had their education cut short to earn a small amount of money.
The most unfortunate families were evicted from their homes and had to live in shanty towns of makeshift homes. These events were humiliating for many people and they were not seen as "real men" because they could not provide for their families. Accepting relief payments from the government was seen as a final loss of dignity.
On the other hand, the richer Australians in the 1930s continued living a comfortable life as prices fell. Those who were able to keep their jobs through the Depression were likely to experience an increased standard of living. Australian art continued to develop, with successful and financially secure artists producing more exciting works, especially in Sydney, finally connected by the Sydney Harbour Bridge.