The Roaring Twenties

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The conclusion of World War I in 1918 allowed for the United States to begin an era of transformation into modernization. The nation’s politics, economics, and manufacturing process changed exceptionally. The presidential elections at this time was primarily led by Republicans favoring growth in business rather than consent management or regulation. Thus, the Roaring Twenties was a time of prosperity amongst the United States citizens, altering the daily life for everyone. This newly found era was administrated by Calvin Coolidge after the unexpected death of President Warren G. Harding. However, the federal tax cuts and high tariffs put in place by the Coolidge Administration became unfavorable in the next election. Therefore, Coolidge lost …show more content…

The people embraced this Revolution in positive and negative ways which lead to many consequences for generations to come. The second Industrial Revolution introduced mass production of automobiles, radios, and even planes into everyday society. Not to mention the change in employment; the wages and working conditions increased for the common working class, allowing for productivity to escalate. However, Americans conservativeness began to alter with the financial boom, many families experienced. However, this financial boom was not increasing the money Americans had in their pockets to spend, yet Americans began to think they possessed money they did not have, thus the saying “buy now, pay later.” With this mindset, Americans bought items they previously could not afford such as automobiles and electric washers. This is portrayed “In 1914, the United States was a debtor nation...By the end of 1919 the United States was a creditor nation” (Leuchtenburg 108). Americans also began to invest in stocks, brokerage houses, and equities with borrowed money. People invested in these stocks because they were believed to be secure due to the Nation’s booming economy. However, this so called security failed thus leading to many conflicts with …show more content…

Leuchtenburg states, “Even by the summer of 1928, the market had drawn people who never dreamed they would be caught in the speculative delirium” (Leuchtenburg 273). The Dow stock average skyrocketed between 1921-1929, allowing for many prosperous Americans. Citizens were unable to imagine the stock market crashing because it was always going up, however this creditor nation inevitably would collapse. In order to compensate for the imflamentated economy and stock market the Federal Reserve had to raise interest rates numerous times during 1929. The Federal Reserve also tried to restrict the reserve banks from giving credit requested by member banks which loaned money to stock investors. Although, by October the economic boom started to bust and by Thursday, October 29 a mass spread alarm fretted countless investors nationwide, who finally began to realize the stock market was just an unpredictable collapse waiting to occur. Almost instantly millionaire margin investors went bankrupt and the Dow stock average decreased immensely. Not to mention, banks lost all of their depositors savings because numerous banks across the nation had invested their money in the stock market. This devastating stock market crash of 1929 assisted in entering the United States into the Great Depression, the worst

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