Many important events have occurred throughout our country's history. Some experienced unrest, while others experienced prosperity. Examples of unrest are the First and Second World Wars. The Jazz Age did not allow itself to be affected by bad times. This period is considered great in many ways. The Jazz Age was the greatest era in American history because of the characteristics and economic prosperity that defined the 1920s as well as the styles and behaviors of the people who lived during that era, as shown the characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. Although there were many aspects of 1920s culture, one of the most important was music. Jazz was the major form of music that was beginning to catch on. This style of music had been around for many years, starting in New Orleans. According to the book Popular Culture: 1929-1929, Jane Bingham states that a group of talented African Americans started this type of music and that their inspiration came from the songs their ancestors played while working on the cotton plantations ( Bingham 8). Jazz was originally played in speakeasies and nightclubs. However, it was none other than F. Scott Fitzgerald who started this musical journey through his novel The Great Gatsby. In the Encyclopedia of Jazz, James Ciment writes that Jazz was the musical anthem of the carefree, modern spirit of that era (Ciment 307). Because jazz was so upbeat, fast, and rhythmic, it led to rebellion in many young men and women. For example, in The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald describes Gatsby's parties as being filled with people dancing to jazz music and taking time to... middle of paper ... characteristics they displayed . People were breaking away from the norm. Men turned to alcohol and bootlegging while women became carefree and loving life. However, not every moment was fun and scandalous. The Great Depression hit and left many families in debt. Yet people didn't let that stop them from roaring in those 1920s. F. Scott Fitzgerald created his characters in The Great Gatsby based on the styles and behaviors of people in the 1920s. Works Cited Bingham, Jane . Popular culture: 1920-1939. Chicago, IL: Heinemann Library, 2012. Print. Cement, James. Encyclopedia of the Jazz Age: From the End of World War I to the Great Crash. Flight. 2. Armonk, NY: ME Sharpe, 2008. Print. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York, NY: Macmillan, 1991. Print.Miller, Bettina. From Flappers to Flivvers: we helped make the 20s roar! Greendale, WI: Reminisce, 1995. Print.