USA in the 1920s

Question 1

What are the 8 main reasons for the economic boom in the 1920s

Answer 1

• Post war advantage
• Invention and innovation
• Electrification
• Mass production
• Motor industry
• Mass marketing
• Hire purchase
• Government policy

Question 2

How did post war advantage boost the economy?

Answer 2

• During the war, America provided the allies with raw materials, food and military equipment
• After the war, while all of Europe was exhausted, the USA was strong and thriving

Question 3

How did Invention and Innovation boost the economy?

Answer 3

• The building industry boomed after the invention of mixers, pneumatic and power tools
• Communications were sped up by the invention of dial phones and automatic switchboards
• Advances in chemicals bought Bakelite, cellophane etc

Question 4

How did Electrification boost the economy?

Answer 4

• Homes were now clean, cheap and efficient
• Electrically powered appliances like fridges and vacuum cleaners were now affordable for Americans

Question 5

How did Mass production boost the economy?

Answer 5

• It led to a fall in prices and thus an increase in sales

Question 6

How did The motor industry boost the economy?

Answer 6

• Employed over half a million
• Caused construction of roads, hotels, suburbs etc
• Boosted other industries such as glass and leather

Question 7

How did Mass Marketing boost the economy?

Answer 7

• Adverts in magazines, newspapers and on radio and billboards help promote and boost sales of a huge range of products

Question 8

How did Hire purchase boost the economy?

Answer 8

• People who could not previously afford products could now pay in instalments, leading to a rise in sales

Question 9

How did government policy boost the economy?

Answer 9

• low tax for Americans
• High tax on imports
• absence of regulation (laissez-faire)

Question 10

Why did the construction industry boom?

Answer 10

• new businesses required new factories, offices, shops etc
• Big skyscraper projects were planned and executed such as Chrysler and empire state builings

Question 11

Why did the cotton and wool industry decline?

Answer 11

• Use of synthetic fibres in fashion meant demand for these natural fibres decreased
• New style meant Women’s hemlines were shorter and therefore called for less material

Question 12

Why did the steel industry boom?

Answer 12

• The rise in automotive manufacture called for 20% of the total steel industry
• Other demand came from building and machinery for new industry

Question 13

Why did the coal industry decline?

Answer 13

• oil, gas and electricity were all increasingly viable alternatives to coal in both domestic and industrial settings
• Those who did use coal, learned to use it more efficiently, further reducing demand
• The industry was full of wage cuts, pit closures and strikes

Question 14

Why did the automotive industry boom?

Answer 14

• Cars became cheaper through high volume sale and mass manufacture
• Henry ford Introduced weekends to increase productivity
• He also paid his workers high wages but said they couldn’t form unions

Question 14

Why did agriculture decline after WWI?

Answer 14

• Farmers returned to their farms, so American imports were no longer needed
• American tariffs made exporting product very difficult
• They began facing competition from the likes of Canada and Argentina
• Food consumption was shifting to more luxurious foods like fresh fruit and veg
• The banning of alcohol reduced the consumption of barley by 90%

Question 15

Did everyone benefit from the boom?

Answer 15

• No, unemployment was high and wages low in many parts of the USA
• some estimates put it at 60% of the population being under the poverty line

Question 16

How did the boom affect black Americans?

Answer 16

• before the war most black Americans lived in the south, but after the agricultural slump up to 750,000 were laid off
• Many moved to find work in the north but even then, the high paying jobs were white only.
• Those who stayed in the south faced even more racial discrimination as those in the north
• the majority of black Americans were excluded from the benefits of the boom

Question 17

Why did native Americans not benefit from the boom?

Answer 17

• By the 1920s, almost all natives were living in specially provided reservations. These often had poor soil which made growing crops difficult
• Those who stayed had poor education, healthcare and suffered from poverty
• Those who left faced discrimination and difficulty finding jobs
• the majority of native Americans were excluded from the benefits of the boom

Question 18

Why did New Immigrants not benefit from the boom?

Answer 18

• Despite the fact that almost all of the American population is immigrant, new immigrants found it hard to find jobs and education, and faced discrimination
• This was largely due to their religion (Jewish or Catholic)

Question 19

Movies in the Roaring 20s

Answer 19

• Provided an escape for over 95 million Americans
• Led to the first celebrities like Charlie Chaplin
• Influenced hairstyles, make-up, perfume and mannerisms
• Some were concerned films corrupted public morals, so length of on screen kisses was regulated and nudity banned.

Question 20

Jazz in the Roaring 20s

Answer 20

• Originated from African Americans in the south
• Led to formation of nightclubs such as the cotton club, due to its dance culture
• Appealed to young whites a it was energetic and modern but older Americans disapproved as it broke tradition

Question 21

Radio in the Roaring 20s

Answer 21

• Broadcast light entertainment and music to over 40% of homes by 1930
• Led to a rise in popularity of bands and orchestras
• Provided a fresh start for comedians, vocalists and impersonators after the decline of variety theatres

Question 22

Cars in the Roaring 20s

Answer 22

• Made the roaring twenties possible by giving americans freedom to move
• Provided easy means to visit clubs, cinemas and restaurants