Economic Boom 1920s America

Question 1

Resources

Answer 1

Wood, iron, coal, minerals, oil, land, abundant in US

Question 2

WW1

Answer 2

Supplies Europe with goods during WW1. Takes over European markets

Question 3

Technological change

Answer 3

Bakelite (plastics) invented (NEW MATERIALS). Development of many tools and goods MODERNISE INDUSTRIES. Development of electricity leads to production of new consumer goods (ELECTRICITY).

Question 4

Mass Production

Answer 4

Assembly line method developed. Faster production and cheaper costs. More affordable to general public

Question 5

Mass Marketing

Answer 5

Advancements in Advertising. More people persuaded to buy more things

Question 6

Confidence

Answer 6

Americans are optimistic about the state of the economy. More investment, more buying.

Question 7

Credit

Answer 7

Make it easier for Americans to buy goods in instalments. Leads to more buying.

Question 8

Republican Party Policies

Answer 8

1. lower taxes. wealthy can buy more and invest in American industry and buildings
2. Tariffs. Taxing imported goods allows American-made goods to be comparatively cheaper and thereby more appealing to customers and make American goods to profit
3. Laissez Faire. Not interfering in business and no control on financial institutions.

Question 9

Henry Ford & Mass Production
assembly line
pay on credit
good working conditions

Answer 9

1. Assembly Line - use of conveyor belt. each person does one job and do it well. better efficiency. lower costs. new car turned out every 10 seconds.
2. Pay on credit. pay deposit and then in small installments
3. Ford workers get $5 a day. 8 hours maximum. worker training and no prior experience necessary
4. many workers
5. no workers union

Question 10

Groups struggling in 1920s

Answer 10

1. Small Scale Farmers
2. Black Americans
3. textile workers especially women
4. miners

Question 11

Why were small scale farmers struggling?

Answer 11

cannot compete with modern machinery of larger farms. No more demand from Europe after WW1. Competition from Canadian Farmers. Too much supply not enough demand. Plague and Pestilence

Question 12

Why were Black Americans struggling?

Answer 12

Cotton no longer as profitable as new materials are developed. Segregation, “white only” policies, quotas. Lack of skill in factory work

Question 13

Why Coal Miners struggling?

Answer 13

dangerous work. no trade unions for better conditions. overproduction. oil, gas and electricity grow in popularity.

Question 14

Why were women struggling?

Answer 14

pay gap. cotton textile industry not doing well. ‘stretch out’ longer hours and less pay because not much government help

Question 15

Leisure industry

Answer 15

booming. increased wealth = more spending on leisure. Going to the cinema became common for at least half the population by 1929. actors, athletes, musicians make a lot of money

Question 16

changing roles of women

Answer 16

more job opportunities, but still faced pay discrimination and discrimination by peers.
new devices make housework easier
acceptable to do sports
changing beauty standards
started to smoke and drink in public
remained goal to get married and were not able to work after being pregnant in many states