key facts Flashcards
economic boom
in 1920s there was a huge economic boom
urbanisation
the first skyscapers in cities like New York were being built. people were able to buy was were once luxury goods like cars - there was also a huge stock market boom
production line
new industrial methods, like production line were being used e.g. in Henry fords factory for model T ford
who was not affected by the boom?
boom did not reach everyone - farmers were badly hit by competition from Canada and very low prices - 6 million farmers left the land in 1920s to look for work in the cities
what was the boom caused by?
4 main factors: americas huge natural resources like coal and oil; huge profit during WW1 by selling arms to Europe; Americans easily able to borrow money to build new factories and develop new ideas e.g. production line
republican polices
laissez faire policies of republican policy also helped - set tariffs to protect American industries, kept taxes low to help business men - free to make huge profits
changes in culture
jazz music became popular - cinemas being built even in very small towns
changes for women (specifically those in cites)
- woman went out without chaperones
- wore dresses that showed their ankles
- drinked and smoked and public
organised crime
hude rise in organised crime as result of prohibition - speakeasies grew all over country to sell illegal alcohol and crime rates increased dramatically - caused by gangsters and corrupt police
racism
open and wide spread - Klu Klux Klan was very powerful
communism and trade unions
many people were afraid and blamed immigrants for this - led tot he red scare where thousands of people were told they would be deported because of there political beliefs. when Sacco and vendetta were put on trail (and later executed) the trial judge referred to them as bastards
