Implications of growing urbanisation and industrialisation - Ethan

Question 1

Explore the growth of urbanisation + industrialisation

Answer 1

Domestic markets grow as the US opened up with rail construction and increasing living standards. Steamships open up foreign markets

The expansion of industry required labour, attracting both immigrants and farmers forced off their land

Question 2

Explore the implications of growing urbanisation and industrialisation in the automobile industry

Answer 2

Ford pioneered moving assembly line to make cars affordable for middle class: could produce a car every 10 seconds by 1920 when prices had fallen from $720 (1912) to $290

8 million cars on the road (1920) -> 23 million (1929)

69% increase in output of automobiles (1922-1926) with 48% increase in workers. Estimate industry employed 10% of all manufacturing employees by 1929

Question 3

How significant was American capitalism in bringing about changes to US society to 1941? (2022) in relation to establishing wealth disparities

Answer 3

1% of nation’s banks controlled 50% of financial resources

40% of Americans estimated to live in poverty (esp. Af-Am)

Corporate net profits up 76%, stockholder dividends 108%

Question 4

Racial implications?

Answer 4

1.2 million black southerners migrated to northern and western cities (1915-28): industrialisation + “black metropolis” idea
White neighbourhood associations use restrictive covenants to prevent property holders from selling to black people
Rents in Harlem double between 1919-27, but density approaches 336 people/ acre and destitute population 42% higher than rest of New York.
Black men: mostly menial jobs. Only 2% of whitecollar jobs
Michael Kurtz: Hiring prejudice: black men face joblessness. Black residents in higher rates of divorce, prostitution, gambling, addiction

Question 5

Implication of growing urbanisation and industrialisation with reference to Infrastructure?

Answer 5

More cars = highway improvements. 1920: 1% roads fit for cars. Federal Highway Act (1921) roadbuilding -> federal. By 1929, highway constructed at 10K miles/ yr.
Goods moved more easily (1.9 mil trucks 1919- 3.5 mil 1929)

Question 6

Impact of growing urbanisation and industrialisation for women

Answer 6

No improved career opps: only 150 women dentists by 1930

Question 7

Impact of growing urbanisation and industrialisation on farmers

Answer 7

Over 1920s: wheat- $2.5 -> $1/ bushels (Prohibition = less grain for alcohol’ mechanisation = oversupply.) 66% farmers operated at loss.
Proposed: McNary-Haugen Bill 1924- buy farmers’ produce at 1914 price and sell overseas. Cool Vetoed, bc bureaucratic, might damage other countries’ agric.
Agricultural businesses grow: large-scale, mechanised, long-term profit. Small-scale farmers bankrupt.

Question 8

Impact of growing urbanisation and industrialisation on workers

Answer 8

Helen & Robert Lynd’s 1924 survey of Muncie, IN: Of 165 working-class families interviewed, 43% lost more than a month of work in the first 9 months of 1924.