This study aims to articulate how the social background and environment of liberalism and exoticism in the fin de siècle affected the expression of movement, analyzing the work of Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis. For this, First of all, the works the two choreographers’ developed during their peak years, between 1900 and 1920, has been reviewed through the lens of previous research. Second, a fresh look was taken at each choreographer’s solo work that has significant movement characteristics, and two experts working abroad recommended three major works each. Finally, the movement of six works was analyzed by video. The recommended works are as follows: For Duncan, Water Study, The Blue Danube Waltz and Dance of Furies and, for Denis, Incense, A Javanese Court Dancer and White Jade were chosen. Six categories including theme, significant body part, line of movement, locomotion (level change/path), music and mood were used to analyze movement. Following the analysis, significant movements of Duncan preferred rounded arm lines, utilizing integrated movements. This created a challenging and intense mood along a circular path. She expressed the inner self that appears in liberalism, influenced by individualism and her own thoughts that followed the order of nature-Greek-women’s liberation. On the other hand, Denis preferred angular-lines with a variety of hand gestures, using isolated movement, and walked calmy by grounding her feet from heel to toe while straightening the upper body. She made a solemn and serious mood along a linear path. As Denis was facing a new era, she became interested in exoticism and grafted her art onto oriental thoughts. She expressed the gods through herself rather than showing her individual tendencies. In conclusion, these movements’ characteristics of the two choreographers grafted liberalism and exoticism together. Duncan elevated liberalism into her choreographies while expressing nature-including ocean waves-and the comfortable costumes of ancient Greece. But Denis pursued a new style of choreography with more symbolic movements, utilizing various images of oriental and Asian gods. These are the major differences between Duncan and Denis. Their attempts were the predecessor to American modern dance.