Similarities Between The 1920s And 1930s

By the year 1930, the United States of America’s economy was in a “critical [state of] national emergency” (Roosevelt, 1933). With reference to F. D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” – the policies of economic reform introduced to rebuild the American economy – this essay will compare and contrast the economic situation of present-day South Africa, with that of the United States of America in the 1930s, and will serve to explore the economic theory supporting the major policies implemented in attempt to alleviate the stress on the economy. Lastly, it will build on this theory to suggest two supply-side fiscal policies – education and skills development, and tax reform – which, if implemented effectively by government, would contribute to addressing unemployment and poverty in South Africa.

After the First World War America was a completely different country. The twenties was a very unusual time period in American History. The twenties were a time of fun and partying. There are many reasons why it was called the Roaring Twenties.

The 1920s, also known as the Roaring 1920s were a time period where things changed in the US. After World War 1, there was a lack of inspiration in the US, according to the lost generation with the rising racial tension to the everyday roots for employement, things were not great during the early 1920s. In the late 1990ss, labor unions were popular during the war fought back for their rights with the increased number of strike in 1919. Largest included General of all workers in Seattle and Strike of the entre American Steel industry, which affected 100 of 1000s workers and consumers. Those workers returned to work when the owners threatened them of violence. Due to that unemployment in 1920-21 had increased by 11% but things changed after the changes made by Commerce Secretary, Herbert Hoover, as he convinced Industrial leaders to voluntarily increase wages and production to remove the economy from the debt of World War 1.

At the beginning of the decade the nation was still groggy from waking up to a new decade after fighting in World War I. In 1921 President Harding took office and set the course for economic prosperity and a self-propelling nation. The decade of 1920 presented many national shifts of aspects in economy and culture that would include outrageous activity in the stock markets, the use of the radio as a mass media tool, the artistic movement known as the Harlem Renaissance and the age of prohibition. With such changes occurring on a national level the decade became known as the Roaring 20’s.

These factors that occurred after World War I were why mass consumption was possible for the consumer culture. The assembly lines improved efficiency and started mass production while demand for these products rose dramatically. Even though the mass production industries brought in thousands of jobs and kept unemployment low, the wealth that the industries brought in was not distributed evenly. For example, wealth did not improve much for the employees whose jobs required manual labor but the employees who worked in a higher position or “white-collar workers” experienced greatly improved wages. Eventually, the “Dollar Decade” consumer culture had reached its peak and soon the economy was reliant on the consumers in which the demand for products had lacked. Companies were over producing products and soon company leaders such as Henry Ford noticed that “‘mass production requires mass consumption.’”(Roark, Pg.755), which could not be met. Eventually, the average American’s income could not keep up with the production and industries lost business, resulting in the start of the Great Depression.(Roark, Pg.750, 753, 754,

During the 1920s, American businesses and citizens went through a complete change. When the economy recover after World War I, the Republican government showed love for big businesses. This was the time of music, action and growth in the economy. The 1920s booming industries introduced not only new ways to use electricity but a new way for citizens to spend their money. The Roaring Twenties took over and there were technological advancements, advertisement and a vibrant new culture.

The Roaring Twenties (1920-1929): For this era, I will be discussing the roaring twenties. The roaring twenties was an age of dramatic social and political change. For the first time, more Americans lived in cities than on farms. The nation's total wealth almost tripled between 1920 and 1929 and this growth made many Americans become a “consumer society”(a society in which the buying and selling of goods and services is the most important social and economic activity.) This era was important because a lot of Americans had extra money to spend, on items such as electric refrigerators and automobiles.

Roaring 20s The 1920s were the epitome of a confident culture. They reflect a country coming away from trials only to try and live life fully. At least this period was their interpretation of living.

The 1920s, also known as the Post War Era or the Roaring Twenties, is best known for being relaxed and carefree. The idea of economic stability and individual growth became more powerful following World War I. This decade proved to be one of the most exciting times for America. So what caused the 1930’s to differ so much from the 1920s? The Great Depression ultimately destroyed everything the 1920s had achieved, leaving behind a trail of anguish and uncertainty for years to come.

The term “roaring twenties” is used by most of the American population referring to the 1920s during a time of unrelenting economy growth which characterized the distinctive cultural edge of the decade (Out of Many, p. 598). This roaring decade experienced significant economic growth with prosperity by the recovery from devastating wartime, a boom in the construction sector and increased growth of the consumer goods like vehicles and electric energy.

“Wars change things, and big wars change things a lot.” That statement became all to true for our society in America. The 1920s was the first modern break through from the olden times before the war, to the new modern times that we still see in effect today. Let us first dive into and examine the reasons how the so-called “roaring twenties” came to be. It began with many events leading up to the decade; one of them was the ending of World War 1. On November 11 1918, Germany and the other central powers signed a truce to put an end to the 4-year war. Americans everywhere were celebrating the victory and the future looked bright for the people of this country, as for there was a

The roaring twenties are universally known to be a significant century for change in America, however, 1920 in particular is one of the most important years of all and directly put americans on the road to modern day freedom and communication. The year 1920 played an influential role in shaping today's America by; providing more citizens with equal rights and opportunities, working towards making citizens safer with alcohol, and hitting a milestone in the technology world making communication faster than ever befor.

The allies have won the war, business is booming, new things are being invented, and the economy is at an all time high. The 20s were a time of great prosperity and change. Women were now more independent, wearing more revealing clothes, some even working office jobs. African Americans began moving west and north bringing their culture and a new style of music known as Jazz. Factory workers were being payed more and worked less. All was good in the 1920s.

The 1920s were called the “Roaring Twenties” or the “Jazz Age” in North America, the “Golden Age Twenties” in Europe and “Années folles” by French speakers all because this era was a period of sustained economic prosperity with emphasis in each name of the era’s social, artistic and cultural change.

The first reason “The Roaring Twenties” became a title for the 1920s is because of the progression in politics. Just coming out of World War I the United States needed to be turned around. In the early parts of the 1920s the United States was going through a process called demobilization, which is “The process… or transition from wartime to peacetime production level and employment levels”. When 4.5 million men coming back from war and seeking employment and putting the recently employed women back out of work and with the start of numerous riots, America was in desperate need of a president who could lead them out of the turmoil. In the election of 1920, Warren G. Harding was elected president. “Harding ran a pro-business platform that promised tax revision, higher tariffs, limits on immigration, and some aid to farmers.” Harding also promised that America would return to normal during his presidency which captured the attention of the distraught Americans. Harding did many great things for America such as merging companies which brought “greater efficiency and high profits” to businesses. Towards the end of Harding’s presidency