While it developed in Afro-American communities in the United States, the Charleston became a popular dance craze in the wider international community in the 1920's. Despite its black history, Charleston is most frequently associated with "Flappers" and the "Speak-Easy." Here, these young women would dance alone or together as a way of mocking the "Drys", or citizens who supported the Prohibition Amendment, as Charleston was then considered, quite immoral and provocative.

Today Charleston is an important dance in Lindy Hop dance culture danced in many permutations: solo, with a partner or in groups of couples or solo dancers. The basic step allows for a vast range of variations and improvisation. Both the 1920's and swinging Charleston styles are popular today, though swinging Charleston is more commonly integrated into Lindy Hop dancing.

Charleston is characterized by outward heel kicks combined with an up-and-down movement achieved by bending and straightening the knees in time to the syncopated 4/4 rhythm of ragtime jazz. It can be danced solo; its simple, flexible basic step making it easy to concentrate on styling, improvisation and musicality.

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