The 1920's are often described as the `Good Time decade', `the Roaring Twenties' and the `Jazz Age'. It was often described as these names, because people wanted to do exciting things and have a good old time, after the nightmare of World War I. This essay discuss' why this period was referred to as such, what major social changes occurred during this period, what brought about the end of this era and how this period contrasts with the depression of the 1930's in Australia.

By the start of the 1920-21 season, memories of the tragic conflict of 1914-18 were slowly shrinking. There were few Australian families who had not been directly affected by the death or wounding of relatives and friends. The release of the returning forces had taken place and, with a shortage of labour and relative wealth, the community appeared keen to make up for the...