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The 1920s in America is often called the Roaring Twenties because of the rapid economic growth, cultural change, and social transformation that took place. This lesson covers the key economic developments, the growth of consumer culture, and the social changes that defined this era. Understanding the 1920s is essential for AQA GCSE History as it sets the context for the Great Depression and the rest of the twentieth century.
After the First World War, the USA experienced an extraordinary period of economic growth. Several factors drove this boom.
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Industrial strength | The USA had vast natural resources (oil, coal, iron) and had profited from supplying the Allies during WWI |
| Mass production | Henry Ford's assembly line techniques made goods cheaper and faster to produce |
| Consumer credit | Hire purchase (buying on credit) allowed ordinary Americans to buy expensive goods |
| Advertising | New techniques in advertising, especially via radio and cinema, drove consumer demand |
| Republican policies | Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover followed laissez-faire economics with low taxes and minimal regulation |
| Tariffs | The Fordney-McCumber Tariff (1922) placed high taxes on imported goods, protecting American industry |
Exam Tip: When explaining the causes of the economic boom, always link multiple factors together. For example, mass production made goods cheaper, advertising created demand, and credit allowed people to afford them. Examiners reward answers that show how factors are interconnected.
The 1920s saw the birth of modern consumer culture in America. New products transformed everyday life.
| Product | Impact |
|---|---|
| Motor car | By 1929, there were 26 million cars registered in the USA. Cars boosted industries like steel, glass, rubber, and road construction |
| Radio | By 1929, over 10 million households owned a radio. Radio unified the nation through shared entertainment and news |
| Electrical appliances | Refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and washing machines became common in middle-class homes |
| Telephone | By 1930, around 40% of American homes had a telephone |
The 1920s saw a revolution in entertainment. Jazz music, originating in African American communities in New Orleans, became hugely popular and gave the decade its nickname — the Jazz Age. Key figures included Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
Hollywood became the centre of the film industry. By 1929, over 100 million cinema tickets were sold each week. Stars like Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino became household names. The first "talkie" (film with sound), The Jazz Singer, was released in 1927.
Sport also boomed, with figures like Babe Ruth (baseball) and Jack Dempsey (boxing) becoming national heroes.
Not everyone shared in the prosperity of the 1920s. There were significant inequalities.
| Group | Experience |
|---|---|
| Farmers | Overproduction drove down prices. Many farmers went bankrupt and lost their land |
| African Americans | Faced racial discrimination, segregation (Jim Crow laws), and poverty, especially in the South |
| Native Americans | Continued to suffer poverty and loss of land and rights |
| Older industries | Coal, textiles, and railways declined as newer industries overtook them |
| Recent immigrants | Often worked in low-paid, dangerous jobs with no job security |
Exam Tip: AQA frequently asks about the extent to which all Americans benefited from the boom. Always discuss both those who benefited AND those who were left behind. This balanced approach is essential for higher-mark questions.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1920 | Warren Harding elected President; beginning of Republican dominance |
| 1922 | Fordney-McCumber Tariff introduced |
| 1923 | Calvin Coolidge becomes President |
| 1927 | The Jazz Singer released; Ford produces 15 millionth Model T |
| 1928 | Herbert Hoover elected President |
The Roaring Twenties was a period of dramatic economic growth and cultural change in America. Mass production, consumer credit, advertising, and Republican government policies combined to create a consumer boom. However, the prosperity was unevenly distributed, with farmers, African Americans, and workers in older industries missing out. Understanding both the boom and its limitations is essential for exam success.
Exam Tip: Practice writing paragraphs that explain a cause of the boom in detail, then link it to a specific consequence. This analytical approach will earn you marks in the "Explain" questions.