The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic American novel. While the main storyline follows, a man named Jay Gatsby on his to rise to status and wealth on the Long Island sound in West Egg, the book covers multiple historical and cultural events. Prohibition, women’s independence, and even fixing the World Series are just a few different topics touched on by Fitzgerald chronicling the life of Jay Gatsby. Bootleggers, flappers, and even mobsters are included in this story of the “American Dream.” These events and groups of people are a pivotal part in the story told by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but also are all large parts of American history. 

“Post World War I in the United States of America was a time period full of economic prosperity and change including social advances made on the front of women’s rights and independence. (Historical 2003)” While all the men were unable to work while fighting for our country the women of America had to take over new roles in the nation’s workforce. In doing so many for the first time in their lives began to become financially independent and in doing so could begin to live a new independent lifestyle. Young women all over began to dress up in extravagant dresses accompanied by costume jewelry. These women started the “flapper” movement and in The Great Gatsby many flappers are present throughout especially at Jay Gatsby’s extravagant parties. These flappers were known for not just their provocative clothing and very in your face attitude, they also were famous for dancing the Charleston. This dance was performed by flappers in shows and at clubs making them money. Ironically one of the most iconic flapper women at the time in America was a woman named Zelda, Zelda Fitzgerald, F. Scott’s wife. Originally they were not married when they met, she was described as a woman who desired wealth, adventure, and leisure just like one flapper in particular. However one woman in particular portrays the idea of the new independent American woman, and that is Jordan Baker.  Jordan Baker is a competitive golfer introduced to the story through Daisy Buchanan and even is romantically involved with Nick Carraway. Unlike many women at the time Jordan Baker was not looking for a husband or anyone to settle down with, she was perfectly content dating around and enjoying the life of being a professional golfer. Being a professional golfer was important to Jordan because of the status associated with the sport and the country club atmosphere of it. Making money golfing combined with family money Jordan is completely independent financially but even more importantly she shows resilience being able to walk away from the tragedies in the book nearly unscathed. For lack of a better word Ms. Baker lived her life in many ways that resembled a man of the time by being promiscuous and not having to answer to anyone. Truly displaying how women could begin to do anything men could do. 

One thing that no one was allowed or supposed to do during this time period was purchase, sell, or consume liquor. Prohibition in the United States started in 1920 and lasted all the way up until 1933. With the closing of liquor stores and bars across the country many business men saw an opportunity to illegally mass produce alcohol and distribute it to the public at somewhat secretive locations called speakeasies. These people who became involved in this underground industry became known as bootleggers, and also became some of the wealthiest people in the country. Throughout the novel their are multiple instances where bootlegging is talked about to explain how Jimmy Gatz was able to become Jay Gatsby through the help of his mentor. The amount of money that was in the illegal alcohol business was enormous. Many people in America during the twenties made it big bootlegging and owning speakeasies, including characters like Arnold Rothstein. Arnold Rothstein and close friend Herman “Rosy” Rosenthal are mentioned in The Great Gatsby, and Arnold is portrayed as Meyer Wolfsheim in the novel. Arnold Rothstein was a major backer of politician Tammany Hall, making large campaign contributions in exchange for protection. Rothstein was able to corner the gambling, bootlegging, and prostitution rings in New York until he was murdered in 1928. In The Great Gatsby however Rothstein (Wolfsheim) never gets killed however Wolfsheim says that "The old Metropole.... I can't forget so long as I live the night they shot Rosy Rosenthal there. (Fitzgerald)” This quote shows how cut throat this This underworld industry blended with legitimate industry’s and politicians made it very hard for anyone to regulate because even the police were getting a cut. 

Rothstein’s empire wasn't just present in New York but also Chicago. Now I know that in the book itself Chicago is not talked about much, but in 1919 arguably the largest sports scandal in history occurred, the Chicago White Sox threw the World Series. They were heavily favored against the Cincinnati Reds in the five-game series, but in the end that didn't matter. “World War I had taken so many people and so much many away from baseball that most players were only making a fraction of their salaries that they were before the war. (Historical 2003)” In protest of this, and to try and make more money, eight players on the White Sox team decided to throw the series. A player by the name of Arnold “Chick” Gandil set it all up with a bookie by the name of Joseph Sullivan to intentionally lose the World Series. Sullivan's friend who helped him pull of the scam was none other than Arnold Rothstein himself. Combined they raised as much money as possible to put on the Cincinnati Reds winning the World Series over the White Sox. In the end with the help of the eight players including the now infamous Shoeless Joe Jackson one of the biggest upsets in sports history occurred and Rothstein and his associates cashed out big time. The players involved got their cut as well until it was all exposed. All eight players were immediately banned for life from ever playing professional baseball again. The Chicago White Sox became the most hated sports team in America overnight and were given the name the “Black Sox.” Rothstein (Wolfsheim) was known as “the man who fixed the World Series back in 1919” in reality and in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fictional novel. 

Throughout The Great Gatsby many different historical references are made about the changing times during the 20’s in America. The American dream was live and well during this time period, women were just beginning to assert themselves into society as equals to their male counterparts, alcohol becoming illegal made it even more of a lucrative business industry, and you could gamble on almost anything. The Jay Gatsby’s and Meyer Wolfsheim’s (Arnold Rothstein) of the world were making money hand over fist, the Jordan Baker’s were independent of needing a man to support them, and the biggest sports scam ever was pulled off. You could say that the twenties in America were roaring to say the least, but no matter how you look at it all these events were historical to our nation and F. Scott Fitzgerald did a great job of painting a picture of the times. 
