Book 1: Part1 boom+roaring 20's Flashcards
Why did America follow a policy of isolationism after WW1?
America wanted independence and wanting to distance itself from the “old world”
They didn’t want to go to war in the first place and had lost 100,000 soldiers so Americans wanted to keep out of foreign affairs
What is a boom?
An economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
What were the four main features of the economic boom?
Industry
Transport
Home life
Cities
Evidence for industry developments in the boom?
Sales of consumer goods were doubling and more. Cars went from 9 million to 26 million
Evidence for transport developments in the boom?
Queens outside New York doubled since the 1920’s, the care made it possible for more people to live in the suburbs
Evidence for home life developments in the boom?
Almost all urban homes had electricity in 1929
Evidence for city developments in the boom?
There was more building being done in the boom years than at any other time in the history of the USA
What were the 5 main causes of the economic boom?
Industrial strength WW1 Republican Policies New industries new methods State of mind
Evidence and explanation for industrial strength causing the economic boom?
America had many raw materials such as iron, oil and coal. This meant America didn’t have to import many raw materials which saved money, this also meant America could sell their materials to other countries and within America creating profit and contributing to the economic boom
Evidence and explanation for WW1 causing the economic boom?
America joined WW1 in 1917 so they were better off physically and financially than other countries. They also sold weapons and equipment during the war contributing more to the boom. Because they joined late they did not have to pay as much money as the European countries putting America in a better position to boom
Evidence and explanation for republican policies causing the economic boom? 4 evidence! 4 policies explained. (Yeah this card is edited whatcha gonna do?)
The policy Laissez faire meant that the government would interfere as little as possible with businessmen allowing them to get rich quickly, which brought lots of money into the economy fast.
The government also imposed tariffs. This is where the government would charge extra money to import goods so more people would buy things in America generating more profit.
(Fordney McCumber act 1922)
Low taxation meant that people didn’t have to give as much money back to the government, this meant people would have more money to spend on consumer goods, causing the boom.
Trusts - businesses were allowed to dominate industry. They made goods cheaply so more Americans could afford them. This brought in more money which meant BOOOM
What was the Fordney-McCumber act of 1922?
It meant it would cost more to get food from Europe so Americans would spend more money in their own country creating more profit
Evidence and explanation for new industries and new methods for the economic boom? 2 evidences ( 6 marks )
Production of industries increased by 50% making more consumer goods for the public to buy generating more money and causing the boom
Henry Ford developing an assembly line which made making a car cheaper and quicker ( 13 hours - 1.30 ) which meant more people were buying cars which generated more money and caused the boom
Evidence and explanation for state of mind causing the boom?
In the 1920’s the people had one of the best living situations in the world, they could get plenty of food and were able to spend money. This caused the boom because the people felt they were able to buy more consumer goods generating more money for the boom
What is hire purchase? And what did it mean for America?
The republican policy of “buy now pay later”
It meant that more people could buy goods
More were produced
So more money was made
Driving the initial price down
Who didn’t benefit from the boom?
Farmers Textile workers Immigrants Coal miners Poor white people
Evidence for farmers not benefitting from the boom?
The US farm income dropped from $22 billion in 1919 to $13 billion in 1928
Why weren’t farmers benefitting from the boom? ( 4 mark )
They overproduced crops in the war so they then had a lot of crops left over after the war they couldn’t sell
Their land was overworked from the war and then became useless
Canadian wheat producers were better so more people bought from their competition leaving them less money
The cities didn’t want unskilled farmers
Why didn’t textile workers benefit from the boom?
Competition from new industries and new methods that could do the job. Also they had to compete with people working for less
Why didn’t immigrants benefit from the boom?
They couldn’t get jobs because of lack of experience, knowledge and prejudice
Why didn’t coal miners benefit from the boom?
Men were paid $18 a week and women $9, to live ‘good life’ they needed $48…
Why didn’t poor white people benefit from the boom?
They couldn’t afford new chain shop prices and couldn’t get employed at middle class shops
Evidence the roaring 20’s were roaring? ( 3 pieces )
Average wages rose by 11 percent meaning workers had more disposable income
Cars opened up the suburbs allowing more people to travel
Morals were loosened by influential films about sex
Evidence the 20’s weren’t roaring? ( 3 pieces )
The conservative rural states hated the sex-obsessed films and 36 states threatened censorship legislation
The older generation struggled to adapt to the “ new world “ and printed articles attacking jazz
Rural vs Urban values caused a lot of tension. Rural felt traditional values were compromised
