Essay Sample on America in the 1920s

The 1920s marked the end of World War 1 and the decade became tremendous prosperity (Lindop and Goldstein 5-20). Historians and Economists have granted much attention on this decade because it marked a recent decade characterized by the growth of economic activities. End of the war brought the existence of peaceful American state. Co-existence of peace brought into transition an improved economy with the first experience of production of consumer goods. New opportunities for advanced automobile technology of buying cars which substituted passenger rail, wearing of ready-made clothes, use of household appliances and growth of airlines (Lindop and Goldstein 5-20). Growth of automobile industries increased demand for the use of cars and trucks; thereby characterizing the construction of roads from all-weather design to a modern passable road to facilitate more effortless movement. Americans living in rural settings were able to access urban culture. The number of individuals in the urban environment increased more than people left on the farm.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

The revolution of power industry expanded the use of consumer electric appliances such as new ways of heating and lighting at home and in business premises (Stillman 1-15). Isolation of rural communication ended after the introduction of radio stations, use of telephones and radio networks. Types of business operation increased in number as people could venture in the movie industry, playing professional sports, clothing industry and commercial radio stations. The United States gained its global power and was able to grab a dominant position of trade in the international market and its business field in the globe. The growth of the economy was referred to as Roaring '20s due to the new culture that was created by peacetime production. The 192Roaring Economy fueled adoption of policies meant to protect the operation of private business, and administration of three Republican presidents was adopted.

Introduction

In 1910- 1920, marked the great transition of America's culture, the genesis of present America started in this decade. In 1910, the United States had an undeveloped economy due to remote activities from foreigners. After the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson in 1913, there was the birth of remarkable changes in the banking system and business environment. In the year 1914, there was war in Europe, and during the sixth month of the same year, Serbian nationalist abducted Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (Lindop and Goldstein 5-20). This act initiated a war between Austria and Serbia and thereby marking the start of World War 1. The United States took advantage of this period and become sole suppliers of food and war materials to the two communities. Farming and manufacturing industry demand exploded thereby registering economic boom in the United States. Increased manufacturing drew more people from a rural setting to urban areas to seek industrial jobs. The few people left in the rural area became large scale farmers' to satisfy the reigning demand of agricultural produce. They applied for a considerable amount to buy more farming lands and farm inputs.

The 1910s - 1920s Economy

During this period of World War 1, the United States remained neutral nation thus creating a high chance of carrying out free trade to both opposing sides. The most significant percentage of trading was between the United States and France, and the United States and Britain. In the year 1915. The United States was drawn to the war due to two primary factors. On 7th May 1915, US passenger liner known as Lusitania was sunk by German U-Boat. This passenger liner had 100 Americans and was delivering war arms to the British government. This factor became the first initiator of American to join the war in pursuit of defeating Germany. Afterward, a telegram was intercepted between the government of German and Mexico. The telegram contained useful information from German diplomat, Arthur Zimmerman to the German Minister in Mexico. The message was a promise to return Mexican stolen land if they gave their hand in invading the United States. This act gave American the go-ahead to officially engage themselves in World War 1 (Drowne and Huber 1-8). It happened in the fifth month of 1917, rendering the use of tanks, machine guns, chemical weapons and weapons in the attack. Many Americans volunteered to engage in the war while others voluntarily provided and food and other useful supplies. In November 1918, World War 1 came to an end.

World War Aftermath marked the start of the recession. At the beginning of the war, there was an economic boom in the United States, and after engaging in the war, the economy came down. The demand for farm products came down, and reality opened up to farmers that they have massive harvest with no market demand. The war ended without any transition put into place thus creating inflation and high unemployment (Drowne and Huber 1-8). Recession set during the war created a demand to register labor union to provide better working conditions and safeguard American lifestyle of the working-class and middle-class. Due to the recession, many farmers were left bankrupt, inability to repay loans and soil quality depleted due to overproduction.

World War 1 aftermath

The early 1920s economic growth continued to have upward shooting. In 1922, manufacturing companies that produced radio, automobile, and consumer market opened up their doors in the US (Drowne and Huber 1-8). There was a creation of white collars jobs and an increase in the number of middle-class people in a suburban area. In this era, Consumerism found its way in the market due to increased public jobs in the manufacturing sector. Consumerism is the culture surrounded by the act of buying goods and selling of products. It was initiated by the introduction of new products, mass production of products and improved means of advertising (Stillman 1-15). Print advertising and radio communication network created a clear vision of the consumer culture. Retailers who used direct selling commodities to the consumers through display could use advertising media to capture a wide range of geographical location.

A society that was once conservative spending become a vibrant community of vivacious consumers. Shopping which was a weekly routine became a part of recreation. Revolution of household work came to existence; before mothers were tasked with the tedious job of cleaning clothes with their own hands to scrub in the washing tubs was replaced by washing machines, vacuum cleaners replaced cleaning of carpet beater, and the use of electric refrigerators replaced the use of icebox. Roaring twenties also provided the purchase of goods on credit (Stillman 1-15). It created convenience shopping for the families which could not pay a lump sum money at once, but they could settle the amount in the future. Departmental stores started offering an installment plan, and in this period of 1920s, the consumer debt doubled.

The United States enacted legislation that created trade relations between his country, and the biggest pioneer business nation's thus peaceful trading cooperation was inducted (Lindop and Goldstein 5-20). This relationship was a blueprint to the United States economy. The US economy was strengthened more by the enactment of tariff legislation of exported and imported goods, the rise of new banking reforms and new laws of income taxation. President Wilson administration was able to protect American democracy and maintain stable economic power.

Conclusion

This decade marked a transition period of Americans from old to new, abandoning tradition and modernity became the culture. The face of the community changed and each person worked for equality. Women ceased to be a babysitter and became part of family breadwinners. Americans embarked on the new look of 1920 and became an important aspect of life up to date.

Works Cited

Drowne, Kathleen M., and Patrick Huber. The 1920S. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2004. Print.

Lindop, Edmund, and Margaret J. Goldstein. America In The 1920S. Minneapolis, Minn.: Twenty-First Century Books, 2010. Print.

Stillman, Edmund O. The Roaring Twenties. New Word City: N.p., 2015. Print.