USA in the 1920s Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 8 main reasons for the economic boom in the 1920s
A
- Post war advantage
- Invention and innovation
- Electrification
- Mass production
- Motor industry
- Mass marketing
- Hire purchase
- Government policy
2
Q
How did post war advantage boost the economy?
A
- 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
3
Q
How did Invention and Innovation boost the economy?
A
- 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
4
Q
How did Electrification boost the economy?
A
- Homes were now clean, cheap and efficient
- Electrically powered appliances like fridges and vacuum cleaners were now affordable for Americans
5
Q
How did Mass production boost the economy?
A
- It led to a fall in prices and thus an increase in sales
6
Q
How did The motor industry boost the economy?
A
- Employed over half a million
- Caused construction of roads, hotels, suburbs etc
- Boosted other industries such as glass and leather
7
Q
How did Mass Marketing boost the economy?
A
- Adverts in magazines, newspapers and on radio and billboards help promote and boost sales of a huge range of products
8
Q
How did Hire purchase boost the economy?
A
- People who could not previously afford products could now pay in instalments, leading to a rise in sales
9
Q
How did government policy boost the economy?
A
- low tax for Americans
- High tax on imports
- absence of regulation (laissez-faire)
10
Q
Why did the construction industry boom?
A
- new businesses required new factories, offices, shops etc
- Big skyscraper projects were planned and executed such as Chrysler and empire state builings
11
Q
Why did the cotton and wool industry decline?
A
- 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
12
Q
Why did the steel industry boom?
A
- The rise in automotive manufacture called for 20% of the total steel industry
- Other demand came from building and machinery for new industry
13
Q
Why did the coal industry decline?
A
- 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
14
Q
Why did the automotive industry boom?
A
- 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
14
Q
Why did agriculture decline after WWI?
A
- 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%
15
Q
Did everyone benefit from the boom?
A
- 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
16
Q
How did the boom affect black Americans?
A
- 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
17
Q
Why did native Americans not benefit from the boom?
A
- 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
18
Q
Why did New Immigrants not benefit from the boom?
A
- 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)
19
Q
Movies in the Roaring 20s
A
- 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.
20
Q
Jazz in the Roaring 20s
A
- 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
21
Q
Radio in the Roaring 20s
A
- 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
22
Q
Cars in the Roaring 20s
A
- Made the roaring twenties possible by giving americans freedom to move
- Provided easy means to visit clubs, cinemas and restaurants
