Inequalities of Wealth Flashcards
1
Q
What was inequalities of wealth?
A
- where some groups experienced extreme poverty
- resulted in tensions across the nation
2
Q
Who was affected?
A
farmers old industries immigrants unemployed and poor african americans
3
Q
How were farmers affected?
A
- large group did not share in prosperity
- produced more cotton and wheat that they could sell (overproduction)
- tariff barriers and more competition led to debt and losing land
- unhygenic living conditions, w/o electricity/running water
- new synthetic fibres reduced demand for cotton
4
Q
How much did farmers incomes drop by?
A
22 billion in 1919 to 13 billion in 1928
5
Q
How were old industries affected?
A
- exploited with bad working conditions and low wages
- suffered from the development of new man made materials and cheap labor
- other countries put custom duties on American goods, reduced exports
6
Q
What were the old industries?
A
coal
leather
textiles
7
Q
What were the new industries?
A
oil
electricity
8
Q
How were immigrants affected?
A
- seen as a threat to the culture and living standards
- seen as a ‘melting pot’
- got jobs nobody else wanted
9
Q
What was a ‘melting pot’?
A
where different countries, races and religions could live in harmony
10
Q
How were the unemployed and poor affected?
A
- industry created no new jobs
- republican policy failed to do anything about unemployment
- children exploited to work long hours and low wages in textile mills/agricultural work
- extremely rich didn’t share in this prosperity
11
Q
What percentage of the population were living below the poverty line?
A
42%
12
Q
How were African Americans affected?
A
- occupied 10% of the population
- lived in squalor and misery
- considered an inferior race
- suffered the KKK
