American modernism was a cultural movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily between the 1910s and 1940s. It was characterized by a break from traditional forms of art, literature, and architecture, embracing new ideas and techniques. Influenced by events like World War I and the Great Depression, modernists sought to reflect the complexities of modern life through abstraction and experimentation. Key figures in American modernism include writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, as well as artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe and Edward Hopper. This movement aimed to capture the changing realities of society, focusing on themes of alienation, identity, and the impact of technology.