Why did the bill of rights not strongly affect citizens lives until after the 1920s?

Because it was only around the 1920s that the supreme court decided that they should start applying the Bill of Rights to the states to fulfill the 14th Amendment's guarantee of liberty.

Explanation:

Since the Federal Government's role shifted in the 20th century, having a much more expanded role, the view on the Bill of Rights changed. The document suddenly took a center stage in American Society.

Explanation: The Bill of Rights was not applied to the States until the 1920s. So, the Bill of Rights before that only applied to the actions of the Federal government instead of the actions of the Federal and State governments.