Contrast Between The 1920's And The 1930's
explanatory Essay
1940 words
The 1920s were known as carefree and relaxed. The decade after the war was one of improvement for many Americans. Industries were still standing in America; they were actually richer and more powerful than before World War I. So what was so different in the 1930’s? The Great Depression replaced those carefree years into ones of turmoil and despair.
The decade after the First World War saw tremendous change. Progressivism was a leading factor of World War I and in the 1920’s the evidence can be seen. Industries were making their products at an increasing rate. Products that were not populous before World War I were now used by millions of Americans. The automobile was only used by less than ten million of Americans and by the end of this post war decade that number has climbed to over thirty million. Also many new inventions were coming through making life for Americans much more comfortable. Radios, vacuum cleaners, irons, washing machines, and refrigerators were among the new necessities Americans just had to have.
Refrigerators allowed for better production and transportation of food products. This allowed for the ability to keep food cold and fresh thus making exporting of food a valuable agricultural economy.
America was on fire during the period of excitement. These new inventions were making home life easier for women and more enjoyable for the men. Not only were American families buying these new trinkets but they also started purchasing stock in companies at an increased rate. A commodity that was available before the war but not readily accessed, now became as high as seven million Americans buying and owning company stock after the First World War. With the purchase of automobiles, washing machines, and stock families were still not making enough to keep up. Even though the wage market had increased, the need for fancy things made it almost impossible for a family to have enough money left over to survive. This demand for the goods but not enough money produced a technique used by manufactures to bring in more customers, consumer credit. Today this method of shopping is used by every American everywhere at some point in their lives. Consumer credit is what is known today as a payment plan. A buying strategy that we all use today, payments, actually came about in the decade after World War I.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the 1920s were known as carefree and relaxed. the decade after the war was one of improvement for many americans.
- Explains that the decade after the first world war saw tremendous change. progressivism was a leading factor of world war i and in the 1920's the evidence can be seen.
- Explains that refrigeration allowed for better production and transportation of food products, making exporting food a valuable agricultural economy.
- Explains that america was on fire during the period of excitement, with new inventions making life easier for women and men.
- Explains that the word "flapper" was used to describe the new modern woman. women's movement during world war i helped launch women into a new era.
- Explains that the labor force was reaping the benefits of the union strikes during the first world war and the demands that increased wages for workers.
- Explains that the 1920's sounded like a time of peace and relaxation after war and mayhem. this era of triumph was shaken with the great depression of the 1930’s. in the next decade to come, many changes will take place.
- Explains that the stock market took a dive on october 29, 1929, losing over fourteen million dollars in that one day alone. depression grew bleak as unemployment rates soared and hopes of credit were dashed.
- Explains that president hoover made deals to help alleviate foreign loans, but did not give money to feed those dying of starvation. franklin delano roosevelt became president and brought americans the first ray of hope that the gloomy days might be ending soon.
- Explains that president roosevelt brought about the emergency banking act and the economy act shortly after his inauguration. the eba gave federal loans to bankers allowing them to open their doors again.
- Explains that president roosevelt's new deal plan didn't end there. the agricultural adjustment administration paid farmers to retain a part of their land and not cultivate it for crops.
- Explains that roosevelt put himself in the middle of people advocating that the new deal did aid large corporations and that new programs needed to be set up to help the poor and the hungry.
- Explains that the great depression affected everyone from every race. europeans were benefitting in the 1920’s but they were still to be discriminated against.
- Explains that the 1920's were filled with merriment, not dread, but with fun. the fun times quickly changed to worrisome days after black tuesday.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- argumentative
- Social Dichotomy of the 1920sanalytical essayAs a nation coming out of a devastating war, America faced many changes in the 1920s. It was a decade of growth and improvements. It was also a decade of great economic and political confidence. However, with all the changes comes opposition. Social and cultural fears still caused dichotomous rifts in American society.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that america faced many changes in the 1920s, a decade of growth and improvements, economic and political confidence, but opposition caused dichotomous rifts in american society.
- Analyzes the dichotomy between prohibition and legalization of alcohol during the 1920s. prohibition was supposed to lower crime and corruption, reduce social problems, lower taxes, and improve health and hygiene.
- Explains that after the war, issues of race weren't ignored. black men were treated better than whites back home, which gave them more motivation to demand equality when they returned.
- Explains that fudementalism was a huge dichotomy, with fundamental values of the modern culture emerging during the decade. the conflict between fundamentalists and liberal protestants was played out in tennessee in 1925.
- Explains that american spending habits changed as a result of modernism. the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald is an excellent example of materialism.
- Analyzes how efficient production methods and increased productivity shaped the development of the american economy in the 1920s. mass production, electrification, and other innovations increased american productivity.
- Analyzes how the dichotomies of the 1920s are examples of how things can change tremendously and have an effect on a whole nation.
673 wordsRead More - The Great Depression in Americaexplanatory essayThe 1920’s was a very prosperous period for many Americans. Food production increased 64 percent, worker productivity increased by 40 percent, electricity sales doubled, fuel consumption more than doubled, and pay was increased for many industrial workers (Davidson, 2008). With the soaring economy and new items hitting the shelves all the time, American consumers were living the high life. Even if you wanted something and did not have the money you could simply get it on credit and pay for it later. After all, the economy was showing signs of immense economic prosperity with productivity at an all time high what could go wrong. Construction soared with the building of new skyscrapers, suburbs, and road construction. The automobile became cheap enough for almost any average family to afford. “Traffic jammed the nation’s highways and created a need for gas stations, roadside restaurants, tire manufacturers, and other businesses” (Roaring Twenties, 2011). The New York Stock Exchange’s “rising share prices encouraged many people to…buy shares in hope of making large profits following future price increases” (Mitchener, 2011). However, despite the booming prosperity of technology, consumer spending, economic growth, and a complete change of culture, there were still many that did not share the prosperity of others. “Prices of farm products fell by about 40 percent in 1920 and 1921” (Mitchener, 2011) which caused farmers to have to borrow a lot of money from the banks to keep their farms going. When farmers could not pay their debts they either had to move or rent their homes from the banks. Many of these banks went out of business from 1921 to 1929. Americans had no idea that their booming economy was about to c...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the 1920's was a prosperous period for many americans, with food production increasing 64 percent, worker productivity increasing by 40%, electricity sales increasing, fuel consumption more than doubled, and pay increased.
- Explains how the federal reserve system raised interest rates in an effort to slow market speculation, which led to a reduction of spending. millions invested small and lager sums of money into stock, causing the stock market to crash.
- Explains that president hoover was optimistic about the stock market and the unstable economy. he signed the smoot-hawley bill to raise tariffs on farm and non-farm products to reduce foreign competition.
- Explains that roosevelt and congress worked for 100 days to come up with ideas and passed many new laws to hopefully stimulate economic recovery.
- Explains that the civilian conservation corps (ccc) program was an effort to create new job opportunities for young men.
- Explains how the agricultural adjustment act of 1933 helped increase farm income by over fifty percent between 1932 and 1935. poor agricultural practices and years of sustained drought caused the dust bowl.
- Explains that roosevelt's new deal was a more aggressive approach to the economy and earned respect and appreciation from labors, farmers, immigrants, and urban ethnic groups.
- Explains that while many programs and policies formed during the great depression helped to alleviate some of the major strains on the economy, nothing brought the united states out of depression until world war ii began.
- Opines that the great depression bought many changes and a new awareness to americans. roosevelt showed powerful leadership and eased the suffering of millions of lives.
- Cites arnesen, e. (may/june, 2010). stock market crash. cobblestone. retrieved june 19, 2011 from proquest database.
- Explains that davidson, j. w., and delay, b. (2008), nation of nations: a narrative history of the american republic.
- Cites mitchener, k. j. (june 19, 2011). great depression. world book web. retrieved june 19, 2011.
- Cites nelson, c. (unknown). the great depression. modern american poetry. retrieved june 19, 2011.
- Explains that roaring twenties. retrieved june 20, 2011 from world book advanced.
- Cites rung, m. c. (june 19, 2011). new deal. world book web.
- Cites walch, t. (june 19, 2011). hoover, herbert clark. world book web.
1872 wordsRead More - Fsa Photography During the Great Depressionanalytical essayThe 1920s were a time of leisure and carelessness. The Great War had ended in 1918 and everyone was eager to return to some semblance of normalcy. The end of the war and the horrors and atrocities that it resulted in now faced millions of people. Easily obtainable credit and rapidly rising stock prices prompted many to invest, resulting in big payoffs and newfound wealth for many. However, overproduction and inflated stock prices increased by corrupt industrialists culminat...
In this essay, the author
- Recounts how they were amused by a family photo taken on memorial day. they begged their mother to let them join them at the pool, but she refused.
- Explains that the 1920s were a time of leisure and carelessness. the great war ended in 1918 and everyone was eager to return to some semblance of normalcy.
- Explains the purpose of the photographers, which was to provide visual evidence that there was a need for the fsa.
- Explains that many of the photographs taken, were posed or manipulated to create increased sentiment. photographers would often pose their subjects to emphasize their helplessness or poverty.
- Explains that stryker and his associates believed that fsa photographs were serving the cause of historic preservation by defining them as objective documents.
- Explains that roy stryker and other photographers believed that theirs was the responsibility to document history and when an opportunity for a true photograph was not available, they would create one.
- Analyzes how the controversial fsa photos were viewed with shock by the public because they portrayed real events and real people who were beautiful in their own way.
- Explains that the fsa photographs were intended to help a struggling people by documenting their plight and introducing it to the public. they romanticized the great depression and the dust bowl and garnered public support for new deal programs.
936 wordsRead More - Flapper Women In America Essayexplanatory essayThe most influential decade on contemporary was the 1920s because of the contribution in transportation technology, the advantage of credit, and the change in women’s freedom.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the 1920s were the most influential decade on contemporary because of the contribution in transportation technology, the advantage of credit, and the change in women's freedom.
- Explains that flapper girls in the 1920s changed the way they dressed by wearing shorter skirts, changing their way of life by partying more often, and by taking these actions changed how women were viewed in america.
- Explains that flapper girls were important to america's history because they took a stand for women and wanted to be treated equally to men. they cut their hair short to contrast their sex appealing attire.
- Explains that flappers paved the way for new opportunities for women in america. they were opinionated, smoked and drank heavily, and flaunted her sexuality in ways considered shocking at the time.
- Opines that although the movement of flapper girls was very empowering, not all women made the switch from their more conservative lives to a full of fun
- Explains that the radio took communication to a whole new level and opened up the doors to many businesses that wanted to advertise or be featured on radio.
- Explains that the first automobile was created by henry t. ford. automobiles made life easier for all americans in the 1920s and still do today.
- Explains that automobiles created the chance of car accidents and death from an automobile. although cars were expensive in the 1920s, credit ownership was possible.
- Explains that consumer credit became an indispensable part of american economic life after the 1920s. the idea of buying things when the money wasn't physically there and paying for them once it was there gave americans freedom and enrichment to life.
- Explains that credit was beneficial to americans sense of freedom and accessibility to items they could never once buy, but it did bring a lot of problems into the later history of america.
- Explains that the concept of debt was now in play in america and cause a stress for the next years to come.
957 wordsRead More - Babylon Revisitedanalytical essayThe 1920s were a time of leisure and carelessness. The Great War had ended in 1918 and everyone was eager to return to some semblance of normalcy. The end of the war and the horrors and atrocities that it resulted in now faced millions of people. This caused a backlash against traditional values and morals as people began to denounce the complex for a return to simplicity and minimalism. Easily obtainable credit and rapidly rising stock prices prompted many to invest, resulting in big payoffs and newfound wealth for many. However, overproduction and inflated stock prices increased by corrupt industrialists culminated until the inevitable collapse of the stock market in 1929.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how f. scott fitzgerald's "babylon revisited" tells the story of a man who has made many mistakes in his life and is living with these regrets.
- Explains that the 1920s were a time of leisure and carelessness. the great war ended in 1918 and everyone was eager to return to some semblance of normalcy.
- Analyzes how fitzgerald uses these troubled times as a background for his story in "babylon revisited." his rise from mediocrity to wealth and leisure and his tragic fall appealed to the broken and world-weary masses subjugated by the demoralizing affects of the depression.
- Analyzes how fitzgerald never relates charlie's circumstances outright. it is inferred through his present situation and his interaction with those around him.
- Analyzes how charlie's past haunts him as he is unable to help those around him differentiate between his past and his present self. his old friends try unsuccessfully to entice him back into their world not seeing the change that circumstance has brought.
406 wordsRead More - Roaring Twenties In Americaexplanatory essayThe Roaring Twenties was America’s golden age. F. Scott Fitzgerald once said,“The parties were bigger, the pace was faster, the shows were broader, the buildings were higher, the morals were looser, and the liquor was cheaper” (“People” PBS). The cultural undertone of the twenties was very different from the times before and during World War I. “ For the first time, more Americans lived in cities than on farms…people from coast to coast bought the same goods…listened to the same music, did the same dances, and even used the same slang” (“Roaring” History). The Twenties was a time of social and cultural change. During this time, things like the automobile and jazz became more popular and mainstream. These things were possible because America
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the roaring twenties was a time of social and cultural change. the allies victory in world war i boosted the economy, leading to the great migration, major lifestyle changes, and prohibition.
- Explains that world war i was the product of tensions in eastern europe and the us government didn't want to get involved unless they absolutely had too.
- Explains that the great migration was the result of the oppressive economic conditions and jim crow laws in the south.
- Explains that african americans moved north to create new cities that helped the economy by creating new stores and restaurants. harlem was the most famous of these all-black towns.
- Explains that african americans taking over some factory jobs due to young, white men being drafted was only one of the changes experienced during this time. women laborers were a huge help in production of products.
- Explains that spending during the twenties was a natural instinct because of the expanded workforce.
- Explains that women's fashion was reserved and modest before and after the war. they could dress looser because of the new dance, jazz, and tassels.
- Explains that prohibition was impacted by world war 1 because of the way people thought of america.
- Explains that people dealt with prohibition differently. those who were against prohibition actually did nothing but break the law.
- Explains that the overall goal of prohibition failed because the crime rate did go up and the economy was impacted.
- Explains that nascar was founded in the 1940’s but the idea of fast cars started during prohibition. the goal of the fat car was to outrun the cops.
- Opines that the great war was a great victory for the united states and brought upon this new age. the roaring twenties was the economic and social change in the us through the new workforce of women and african americans.
1757 wordsRead More - Great Depressionargumentative essayThe Great Depression altered American social fabric in the 1930s greatly. With unemployment peaking at 25% in 1933 (Beyer), a large percentage of people in our country were struggling to provide for themselves and their families. As a result, crime rates soared. With many unemployed women, prostitution was on the rise. Suicide rates rose dramatically. Alcoholism became rampant, and many people switched from using expensive cigars to cheaper, but less safe, cigarettes. Enrollment in college dropped dramatically, with many schools shutting down completely. Changes in the areas of wealth, education, rate of employment, crime and regional values dramatically the social fabric of our country in the 1930s and beyond.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the great depression changed america's lives in the 1930s and beyond. it threw our nation into a spiraling decline, the likes of which we had never seen.
- Analyzes how the great depression altered american social fabric in the 1930s and beyond. with unemployment peaking at 25% in 1933, many people were struggling to provide for themselves and their families.
- Compares the economic and social climates of the 1920s and the 1930s.
- Explains the similarities and differences between the great depression of the 1930’s and the recession of this century.
- Explains that the great depression changed the lives of america's citizens socially and economically in the 1930s and beyond.
- Describes the statistics of income for 1920, the bulletin of the national tax association 8.9 (1923): 2.
893 wordsRead More - The Great Depression Essayexplanatory essayPrior to the Great Depression the United States was flourishing with technology and consumer spending. The Roaring Twenties brought much cheer and prosperity to the economy. The invention of the automobile, radio and motion picture brought higher wages and more jobs. When families wanted to forget about their troubles for a little while, they would usually go see a movie. Some films were The Wizard of Oz, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Gone with the Wind. Music was also an entertaining way to distract you from everyday life problems. Women were dressing differently and trying to gain a better place for themselves in the work force. Their views and mannerism were also changing.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the great depression occurred from 1929 and lasted to the early 1940's. it was a deep and tragic period of time where everyone was affected in some capacity.
- Explains that before the great depression, the united states was flourishing with technology and consumer spending. the roaring twenties brought prosperity to the economy.
- Explains that life expectancy began to decrease during the 1920s. suicide peaked when unemployment rose. men felt useless and worthless to their families once they lost their jobs.
- Explains that the jazz period took its wings in 1933. the eighteenth amendment prohibited alcohol, even though it did not ban the consumption of alcohol in most households.
- Opines that the grapes of wrath, written by john steinbeck, was their favorite book about the great depression.
- Explains that the great depression began with the stock market crash of 1929. stockholders lost more than 40 million dollars two months after the crash.
- Explains that over the 1930's more than 9,000 banks had failed. with people spending less money, fewer items were produced, and thus less jobs were needed. the drought conditions in the mississippi valley contributed to the loss of farmers land.
- Explains that the smooth-hawley tariff act stopped european trade due to high taxes on importing. it was not productive and not helping the depression.
- Explains herbert hoover was the president at the time of the stock market crash. he founded government agencies, supported local aid for public works, appealed to every outside source for funding except the federal government.
- Explains that investors started taking their money out of banks because they didn't feel safe. hoover and his administration did their best to fix the situation.
- Explains that president roosevelt introduced "the new deal" to announce a four-day bank holiday and addressed the public over the radio. he thought it was important for the american people to know what was going on.
- Explains that he needed reform and to protect the banking industry. he created the fdic (federal deposit insurance corporation) and the sec (securities and stock exchange).
- Explains that fdr produced a series of programs to boost the economy and create jobs for the people in 1933 when he took office. there are ten major programs that helped accomplish these goals.
- Explains the ccc, the civil works administration, and the national recover act.
- Explains that fdr enacted as many programs as possible to help the recovery of the banks, unemployment, and losses that everyone felt. he put into effect the emergency banking act.
- Explains that the new deal led to increased federal regulation, introduced many programs for the labor force, and a growing power of labor unions.
- Analyzes how fdr's wife, eleanor, was a strong advocate for black rights but the new deal programs prohibited discrimination. she helped her husband during his presidency.
- Explains that fdr created various programs to address the high rates of unemployment and poverty that echoed across the united states.
- Explains that fdr initiated a series of programs for the homeowners, such as the hola (home owners loan act) of 1933 and the fha (federal housing act).
- Explains that the united states housing act created the u.s. housing authority and built public housing. shanty towns were created for people who could not afford to live in their homes.
- Explains that the great depression was the worst economic crisis in the u.s. world war 2 ended the depression with better balanced markets and lower taxes.
- Opines that after many years of hardships and recovery, our world is standing tall. the depression was definitely a gruesome and difficult time for many.
1558 wordsRead More - How the New Deal Transcends Mere Economic Statisticsanalytical essayThe Great Depression was most likely the most distressing economic catastrophe in history of the United States. As the 1920s continued, a number of people were forced to face severe problems that threatened the economy. In spite of the fact that quite a few people became wealthy, several others could hardly scrape up to maintain a satisfactory living standard. Numerous significant businesses struggled to survive. Consumers were caught with deep debts. As the 1930s drew near, it was obvious that the economy was wavering.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the agricultural adjustment act raised crop prices by eradicating surplus generated. the government rewarded farmers $200 million to cultivate less than 10 million acres of crop.
- Explains that civilian conservation corps provided employment opportunities to young men to build up parks, plant trees, and other projects to avoid another dust bowl.
- Explains that nira provided money to several states to offer employment in the construction of community buildings.
- Explains that it provided insurance to people who were retired and of the age of 65 years or older.
- Describes the great depression as the worst economic slump ever to have an effect on the united states and the rest of the industrialized world.
- Explains how the great depression impacted america's economy, and how other european countries faced high war debts.
- Explains that president herbert hoover was opposed to any type of federal welfare. he and directors of business, banking, and labor worked collectively to improve the economy.
- Analyzes how the second new deal helped the economy by spending at the bottom, and the national labor relations act prevented intimidation and coercion in breaking up unions.
1650 wordsRead More - Grapes of Wrath and It's a Wonderful Lifeanalytical essayFollowing the relatively prosperous era nicknamed the "Roaring Twenties" came the Great Depression. Unemployment skyrocketed and good times were hard to be found. In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" - we see the transformation from stability to utter chaos.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the great depression followed the relatively prosperous era nicknamed the "roaring twenties" with unemployment skyrocketing and good times hard to be found.
- Analyzes how george bailey tries to explain to the people of bedford falls, when they come to take their life-savings out of baileys building and loans.
- Explains that not everyone was satisfied with george bailey's explanation, which led some to turn to mr. potter (the stereotypical evil character who represents all that is bad), who offered fifty cents for every dollar.
- Analyzes how george's institution was unable to match potter, not only because he believed it was unethical, but also because they were not a big and strong enough institution.
- Analyzes how the movie gives us a glimpse of what bedford falls could have been like, had george bailey not decided to give up his education and travels around the world, and head his father's bank.
- Analyzes how the movie depicts the 'roaring twenties' and the great depression, but also the differences between two economic systems, monopoly leading to feudalism (pottersville - without george bailey) and capitalism.
- Analyzes how the movie 'the grapes of wrath' is set at the same time and conditions of the american economy. the opening scenes show the return of tom joad, fresh out of prison and waiting to go home.
- Explains that the joad family did not own the land that they lived on, instead they were in a feudal sort of relationship with their landlords.
- Explains that the drought and mechanization of farm tools led to the great 'dust bowl', which allowed landlords to evict their tenants.
- Analyzes how the feudal system of share-cropping was replaced by a capitalist one of wage paying. people helped evict their neighbors out of desperation and the need to support their families.
- Analyzes how the joads headed west to california, lured by the promise of work. they did not realize that if an employer wanted 500 men, he would print up about 5000 flyers and distribute them all over.
- Compares the movie "it's a wonderful life" to the hard side of depression. capitalist opportunists take advantage of the hopelessness and pay their labor less and less due to excess available.
- Concludes that the great depression can be viewed as a turning point for many feudalistic relationships.
1093 wordsRead More