history - the boom

What years were the 1920s economic boom?

1920–1929

What caused the boom?

Mass production, new technology, WWI profits, hire purchase, advertising, Republican policies

How did WWI help the US economy?

Sold goods to Europe → profits ↑ → economy strong

Which political party dominated the 1920s?

Republicans

What policies helped business growth?

Low taxes, high tariffs, minimal regulation

What is mass production?

Producing large amounts of goods quickly using machines and assembly lines

Who revolutionized mass production?

Henry Ford

What car was mass-produced and affordable?

Ford Model T

How did hire purchase work?

Buying goods in instalments → “buy now, pay later”

How did hire purchase boost spending?

More people could afford goods → demand ↑

Which industries boomed?

Cars, steel, oil, electrical goods, construction

How did cars affect other industries?

Boosted steel, oil, rubber, roads, services → jobs ↑

What was overproduction?

Producing more goods than people could buy → prices ↓ → unsold stock ↑

Who didn’t benefit from the boom?

Farmers, African Americans, old industries like coal/textiles

How did advertising affect culture?

Encouraged consumerism → spending ↑ → profits ↑

How did radio affect society?

Spread news, music, and advertising → shared culture

How did cinema influence Americans?

Stars → fashion & behaviour trends → role models

What is jazz?

Popular music style → nationwide influence

What is a flapper?

Young woman challenging traditional norms: short hair, short skirts, social freedom

How did women’s work change?

More office/shop jobs → independence ↑

Why did cities grow?

Jobs in industry/services → rural → urban migration

How did consumer culture influence status?

Owning goods = symbol of wealth/success

What is the Roaring Twenties?

Lively, consumer-focused culture of the 1920s

How did household technology improve lives?

Fridges, radios, washing machines → daily life easier

Name a key weakness of the boom.

Uneven growth, overproduction, reliance on credit