<P> The Allied victory in the First World War seems to mark the triumph of liberalism, not just in the Allied countries themselves, but also in Germany and in the new states of Eastern Europe, as well as Japan . Authoritarian militarism as typified by Germany had been defeated and discredited . Historian Martin Blinkhorn argues that the liberal themes were ascendant in terms of "cultural pluralism, religious and ethnic toleration, national self - determination, free - market economics, representative and responsible government, free trade, unionism, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes through a new body, the League of Nations ." However, as early as 1917, the emerging liberal order was being challenged by the new communist movement taking inspiration from the Russian Revolution . Communist revolts were beaten back everywhere else, but they did succeed in Russia . </P> <P> Homosexuality became much more visible and somewhat more acceptable . London, New York, Paris, Rome, and Berlin were important centers of the new ethic . Crouthamel argues that in Germany, the First World War promoted homosexual emancipation because it provided an ideal of comradeship which redefined homosexuality and masculinity . The many gay rights groups in Weimar Germany favored a militarised rhetoric with a vision of a spiritually and politically emancipated hypermasculine gay man who fought to legitimize "friendship" and secure civil rights . Ramsey explores several variations . On the left, the Wissenschaftlich - humanitäres Komitee (Scientific - Humanitarian Committee; WhK) reasserted the traditional view that homosexuals were an effeminate "third sex" whose sexual ambiguity and nonconformity was biologically determined . The radical nationalist Gemeinschaft der Eigenen (Community of the Self - Owned) proudly proclaimed homosexuality as heir to the manly German and classical Greek traditions of homoerotic male bonding, which enhanced the arts and glorified relationships with young men . The politically centrist Bund für Menschenrecht (League for Human Rights) engaged in a struggle for human rights, advising gays to live in accordance with the mores of middle - class German respectability . </P> <P> Humor was used to assist in acceptability . One popular American song, "Masculine Women, Feminine Men", was released in 1926 and recorded by numerous artists of the day; it included these lyrics: </P> <P> Masculine women, Feminine men Which is the rooster, which is the hen? It's hard to tell' em apart today! And, say! Sister is busy learning to shave, Brother just loves his permanent wave, It's hard to tell' em apart today! Hey, hey! Girls were girls and boys were boys when I was a tot, Now we don't know who is who, or even what's what! Knickers and trousers, baggy and wide, Nobody knows who's walking inside, Those masculine women and feminine men! </P>

What is an accurate description of the 1920s