In the 1940’s there were several dances that were being danced all over the country. Young and old alike were dancing these dances that ranged from swing to those that are now considered more rock and roll in nature. Most of the dances of the 1940’s were brought to the US by the servicemen who had been all over the world. In fact, most people contribute the service men to brining back most of the popular dance styles that were becoming popular. There were some debate over whether these styles were suitable for children, meaning that many teenagers sneaked into their parents basement to dance with their friends. However, now these styles are known as being some of the most iconic dance moves that the US has ever had.

Older couple dancing the jitterbug which is a dance style from the 1940's

The Jitterbug

The Jitterbug was probably one of the more debated dance styles that was being seen in the US. Many believed that the fast and up beat tempo that these styles encouraged was a danger to teens, in that they were growing up too fast. For those who are not aware of the jitterbug, this dance style is very energetic. It is fast and requires the use of your entire body. This style was so fast and loud that many countries found it to be offensive. For example, many dance halls in Britain posted signs that did not allow the Jitterbug to be danced. This style later became rock and roll dancing.

The Lindy Hop

The Lindy Hop is considered to be one of the classic swing dances that was preformed in these days. This style of dance is thanks to several inspirations, such as the waltz and even a bit of the Jitterbug.

Picture showing a couple swing dancing

The Balboa

This dance is one in which partners were held very close. All the dancing came from the fast beat that their feet did. This is very similar to the Jitterbug, except it required that each person hold onto one another. In fact, this dance was often thought to originate because dance halls were so crowded, no one could really spread out and do the Jitterbug properly.

Latin Dances

Though ballroom dancing and the fox trot were still being seen on the dance floor, more Latin influenced dances became popular. Especially, the Tango. Today, the Tango is still seen as one of the more passionate songs that a person can dance to. It requires a lot of work, but the end result is a great dance that often leaves bystanders breathless to watch.

Shows jazz dancing, salsa dances, line dancing, and Latin dancing

The dance styles that were seen in the 1940’s were thought up by those who were eager to forget the troubling times that the world was in. Many people viewed dancing as a way to get away from the stress and simply enjoy their life. This is why the dance halls and people’s homes were full of dancing and life during the times in which anyone had some free time. These dance styles may not be popular now, however, their style can still be seen in some of the more recent dances that have hit the world.