What form of dance became popular largely due to the influence of Vernon and Irene Castle?

The form of dance that became popular largely due to the influence of Vernon and Irene Castle is ballroom dance. Vernon and Irene Castle were instrumental in popularizing the dance styles that would be classified under the umbrella of ballroom during the early 20th century. They were innovative performers and dance instructors who introduced refined techniques and partnered dancing to a wider audience, integrating popular music of the time into their performances. Their influence helped to shape modern ballroom dancing, making it more accessible and appealing to the masses. The Castles emphasized elegance, style, and technique, which contributed to the standardization of many ballroom dances we recognize today.

In contrast, while the waltz, Charleston, and tango are significant dance forms, they do not directly connect to the Castles’ primary impact on popular dance culture as much as ballroom dancing does. The waltz was already well established before their time, the Charleston gained fame in the 1920s, and the tango, though popular, was more associated with Argentine culture and did not receive the same promotional boost from the Castles.