Think of history as being a giant jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes, we try to fit pieces where they don’t belong because we have the wrong idea about what the picture is supposed to look like! Over the past century, many myths have become part of our collective memory. Let’s debunk them! Here are ten misconceptions about the past hundred years that are sure to shock you.
Featured Image Credit: HayDmitriy /Depositphotos.com.
The Roaring Twenties Were Universally Prosperous
Most people think the 1920s involved jazz, flappers & unchecked prosperity—but that wasn’t the case for everyone. While some people made a fortune, many people in rural areas, especially farmers, were doing terribly. The decade was hardly a party for everyone. Instead, it had its fair share of economic ups & downs, depending on where you looked.
The Great Depression Started with the Stock Market Crash of 1929
It’s easy to point at the 1929 stock market crash and believe that’s when the Great Depression kicked off. However, it was more complicated than that. Of course, the crash was a huge blow but it was just one of several factors, including bank failures & droughts. These all combined to create the 1930s economic slump.
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World War II Ended the Great Depression
Many schools teach that World War II magically fixed the Great Depression, thanks to the huge demands for production & jobs. And while the war did help by putting people back to work, the US economy was already on the mend before the first bombs dropped. Policies like the New Deal helped the economy recover. Yes, the war was a contributing factor—but it was one of many.
The Baby Boomers Were the Largest Generation
For a long time, Baby Boomers have been considered the largest generation (hence the name). But now, millennials have caught up—and even passed them in numbers. Immigration and the natural aging process have changed the demographic landscape. Millennials are now the biggest generation around!
The Internet Was Invented in the 1990s
If you think the internet is a product of the ‘90s, think again—its roots go back to the late ‘60s with the ARPANET. The Internet existed in various forms long before the World Wide Web made it a household name. Of course, the ‘90s were big for the internet. However, you should think of that time as being the internet’s public debut, not its birth.
Silent Movies Were Silent
Ironically, silent movies weren’t actually silent. They didn’t have the actors’ voices or anything but instead included live music and sound effects—or even a person there giving you the play-by-play! The “silent” part means the film itself had no sound. Audiences back in the day still got a rather lively viewing experience.
All Women Got to Vote in the 1920s
The idea that the 19th Amendment allowed all women to vote isn’t the full story. A lot of women (especially women of color) couldn’t vote due to unfair laws & practices that kept them away from the polls. In fact, it took many more years to break down those barriers. They had to keep fighting for full equality.
Chornobyl Is a Ghost Town
Chornobyl didn’t turn into the dead zone everyone thinks it did. Yes, people can’t live there because of the radiation—but it’s actually become a kinda wildlife park. If you ever visit, you might be surprised to see how many wolves, bears & other animals are living it up in the exclusion zone. The place is thriving in a way no one expected. Life really does find a way.
The Berlin Wall’s Fall Fixed Everything Overnight
When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, it wasn’t like everything became perfect. East and West Germany still had a lot to sort out. It took almost a year for Germany to officially come back together—even then, it wasn’t exactly easy because people had to deal with many economic & social issues that didn’t just disappear because the wall did. It was a start, though.
All Americans Supported Participation in World War II
Before Pearl Harbor happened, not everyone in America was happy to jump into another fight across the ocean. Many people thought we should keep to ourselves and stay out of Europe’s mess. It took the Pearl Harbor attack for sentiment to change and almost overnight, people who claimed we should stay out of it now believed we had to do our part.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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