Reasons for the economic boom in the 1920s

What was the reason for the increasing population size?

Mass Immigration

Why was the increased population important? Why in particular were migrants important?

Larger potential workforce, migrants were willing to work for a lower wage

Give 3 examples of natural resources in the US and where they are found

Coal - Kentucky, Oil - Texas, Iron ore - Minnesota

Who invented new mass production techniques?

Henry Ford

What new transport infrastructure was built in the 19th century?

The trans-continental railroad

What new transport infrastructure was built in the 20th century?

The road network

Why was new transport infrastructure important?

It helped the flow of goods and services within the USA

Which concept drove entrepreneurial spirit? Name 2 people it inspired and what they invented.

‘The American Dream’

Thomas Edison - lightbulb

Henry Ford - assembly line / mass production

How did WW1 change the attitude of American citizens towards spending money?

Having survived death in WW1, people were more enthusiastic to embrace life and enjoy it (meaning spending money), instead of endlessly saving

Which political party was in government during the ‘20s?

Which consecutive 3 presidents were part of this party?

The Republican Party

Harding, Coolidge, Hoover

Which economic policy did Republican politicians follow?

‘Laissez-faire’

What did the Republican government implement to stimulate investment in business? Which years did they occur?

A series of tax cuts for the rich

1921-1926

In 1928, what percentage of all American income was held by the top 1% of families?

24%

Who benefited from anti-union legislation?

Businesses

What were ‘yellow dog’ contracts?

Contracts the employees were forced to sign in order to get a job, that banned them from joining unions, and therefore having any rights in the workplace, including the right to strike.

Why were yellow dog contracts and anti-union legislation possible?

The Supreme Court was Republican-dominated

Who did President Harding appoint as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to ensure it remained Republican? Which year?

William Howard Taft, a former Republican President

1921

Which piece of legislation was passed to protect domestic industries form foreign competition? When?

The Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act

1922

Why did people later not trust the Republican government during the Great Depression in the election of 1932?

It was highly corrupt in the 20s, and there was a major scandals