People Who Did Not Benefit From the Economic Boom Flashcards
In 1919 what was farming income?
$22 billion.
By 1928 what was farming income?
$13 billion.
Why couldn’t farmers sell to Europe?
During WW1 they took surplus but now this was not happening and the decision to raise tariffs made it easier to sell them abroad.
Why didn’t other countries buy from America?
They didn’t have the money.
What else was the problem for farmers?
There was big foreign competition such as Canadian wheat and Argentinian beef.
What was the problem with over production and farmers?
More land was being farmed and with the help of better technology and better fertilisers to US was producing wheat surplus which no one wanted, therefore farmers had to see it at rock bottom prices.
During the 1920s what happened to these rural workers?
They were forced off the land and into the city looking for work, most were unskilled.
How many blacks became unemployed?
750,000.
How were coal and textiles industries hit?
Their wages were very low.
What was considered the minimum wage needed to live?
$48/week.
How much were men earning a week in the coal industry?
$18.
How much were women earning a week in the coal industry?
$9.
Why did textile workers lose out?
The rise of man-made fabrics such as nylon and rayon which were cheaper to produce and therefore buy.
Despite the boom how many people lived below the poverty line?
42%.
Why was unemployment still a major problem?
The growth of the industry hasn’t produced that many jobs as most relied on new technology.
