1920s America Flashcards
What was the economic boom and when did it happen
Happened in the 1920s and was a time of economic growth for America
How did mass production lead to economic boom
Mass production was like a conveyor belt system where one man did one job which meant products were made quicker and were cheaper to buy
How did WW1 contribute to the economic boom
The USA stayed out of the war until 1917 and made money by loaning weapons and supplies to other countries at war.
Who was Henry Ford
The man who invented the first car, Ford model T car
What was Henry Fords aim when making the car
He wanted to make it and affordable car that everyone could use and buy
How did the car industry impact the economy
It opened up more jobs for people and other industries benefitted as people could travel to cinemas, more roads needed to be built and petrol stations. It used America’s raw materials and led to the expansion of different cities
What was standardisation
Where the car was unable to be modified every car was the exact same
Who would of benefitted from the boom
Business people as more people could buy their products
Working class as there was an increase in wages
Lower class as they would of had more money than usual
What happened to farmers after WW1
There was less demand for their crops and American imports and some nations even put taxes onto crops making them more expensive for people to buy
This led to 600,000 farmers losing their jobs
Why did factory workers not benefit from the boom
There was less demand for their products as a result of man made fibres because these required less materials
The price of cotton began to fall as it wasn’t as popular as it used to be
Why did African Americans not benefit from the boom
Many worked on farms as labourers or rented small areas of land and were known as SHARECROPPERS
Sharecroppers were people who had to give a share of their crops to the landlord as part of their rent agreement
Why did the Native Americans not benefit from the boom
Most of their lives had been seized by mining companies and their traditional ways of life had gone
The soil they were given to use was terrible as it was very poor quality and made it impossible to grow crops
What was woman’s lives like before he 1920’s
Most led restricted lives
Middle and upper class were expected to behave politely and wear long dresses to not show any flesh
Any relationship with a man was strictly controlled
How did the war impact women
Many took over the jobs that men had whilst they were off fighting
The money they earned gave them some independence
Given the right to vote in 1920
Could. Make more decisions themselves
What social changes did women see in the 1920s
Could smoke and drink in public
Went on dates without a chaperone
Wore more revealing clothes
What were flappers
A name given to the new type of independent, fashionable woman
Became a very common sight in America
Oh were older women saw the flappers as an example of the evils of modern life
What was prohibition
The prevention by law of the manufacture and sale of. Alcohol
When did prohibition start and end
1920-1933
Who were the anti saloon league
A group of people who wanted to ban alcohol across America
What was a speakeasy
Illegal bars that sold alcohol
What were bootleggers
People who smuggled in alcohol
Why did people migrate
War
Employment
Better living conditions
More opportunity
Education
Religion
What did Americans fear immigrants
Some were from Russia and were believed to be spreading communist ideas
Brought un-American ideas into the country
Suspicious as other countries had overthrown the government
What was the red scare
Fear of immigrants and communism
