Topic 1 (1920-29)Why Did The USA experience An Economic Boom In The 1920s? Flashcards
(62 cards)
What aided the development of the advertising and marketing industries?
Technological advances of radio and cinema.
What was the first major commercial radio station?
KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
How many commercial radio stations were there in 1929?
619 commercial radio stations.
What percentage of households possessed a radio by the mid-1930s?
75% of households.
What was a common feature in every town by 1929?
A picture theatre showing Hollywood films.
What contributed to the growth of car ownership?
New roads and advertisements on billboards.
Which seaside resort became a destination for New Yorkers?
Atlantic City, New Jersey.
What made National Parks more accessible?
The development of new roads.
What act made the government responsible for building roads?
The 1921 Federal Highways Act.
How much did the length of surfaced roads increase from 1920 to 1929?
From 350,000 miles to 662,000 miles.
What industry saw a boost due to the increase in road construction?
The construction industry.
What are some of the USA’s natural resources?
Coalfields in West Virginia and Kentucky, reserves of oil in Texas, Oklahoma, and California, and metals such as iron, copper, and lead are important for industrial production.
What does ‘spirit of enterprise’ refer to?
‘Spirit of enterprise’ refers to rugged individualism and the belief in the American Dream, where hard work and talent could lead to wealth.
Who were notable figures representing the American Dream?
Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie and Henry Ford exemplified the American Dream.
What significant development occurred in 1920s USA?
The development of the motor car was matched by a nationwide road system.
What role did European immigrants play in the USA’s economy?
Millions of European immigrants provided cheaper labor and hard work.
What innovation did Henry Ford introduce?
Henry Ford introduced the production line and division of labor, which increased productivity.
How did production time change for cars by 1913?
In 1913, it took 12.5 hours to produce one car, which was reduced to 2 hours and 40 minutes.
What was the most produced car during this time?
The most produced car was the Ford Model T, which was only available in black from 1914 to 1926.
Who conducted time and motion studies of production?
Frederick Taylor conducted time and motion studies of production.
What was the role of industrial corporations?
Industrial corporations bought up natural resources and controlled the entire manufacturing process and sales.
Who controlled multiple companies by 1929?
Samuel Insull controlled 111 separate but linked companies by 1929, with a combined value of $3 billion.
What percentage of the USA’s electricity supply industry was controlled by 16 companies in 1929?
By 1929, 16 companies controlled 90% of the USA’s electricity supply industry.
What was the impact of electrification?
Electrification led to the development of radios, vacuum cleaners, and toasters.