The Roaring 20s

Economic AdjustmentBefore WWI:- Second Industrial Revolution & some new

inventions- Poor work conditions

- During WWI: - Increase production for war effort-Food & prices increase

Economic AdjustmentAfter WWI:-Decrease production

war is over-New inventions-People have money to

spend-Booming economy-Credit: Buy now, pay

later-Installment plans:

monthly payments for more expensive items

Workers/LaborBefore WWI:-Labor unrest, harsh conditions, poor

pay/hours-Strikes but usually management wins

During WWI:-Need workers so increase wages and

National War Labor Board settles disputes-But increase hours, taxes, and prices

Workers/LaborAfter War:-No longer need workers-People have money to spend on new

inventions

Labor RelationsBefore WWI:-Workers tried to unionize but government

often sided with management

During WWI:-Union membership increased -National War Labor Board helps regulate

disputes

Labor RelationsAfter WWI:

-People have money to spend on new inventions

-More unrest & general strikes: many unions strike at onceBoston: Police StrikeSeattle: Ship workers Indiana: Steel

WomenBefore WWI:-No voting rights-Lower pay than men-Long dresses, long sleevesDuring WWI:-Take over male jobs/pay increases-Skirts got shorter because need material-Glimpse of independence

WomenAfter WWI:-Return home or take

lower paying jobs-Most lose jobs to

returning soldiers-Gain voting rights-Some rebels:

flappers-wore shorter skirts, cut hair, smoked in public, drove cars, played sports

African AmericansBefore WWI:-Lower wages-Discrimination

During WWI:-Great Migration: start moving north for

jobs and to escape segregation-Better pay-More jobs available due to the war and

less immigration-Soldiers were segregated & given minimal

jobs

African AmericansAfter WWI:-Soldiers return to

discrimination & segregation

-Marcus Garvey Movement: back to Africa

African Americans

-Harlem Renaissance: rebirth of African American culture

-Jazz spreads from New Orleans to NY : Louie Armstrong, Bessie Smith

-Writers such as Langston Hughes

ImmigrationBefore WWI:-Floods of immigrants-Lack of work and harsh conditions due to

large supply of workers

During WWI:-Restrict immigrationWhy?

ImmigrationAfter WWI:-Nativism & Isolationism-Restrict immigration to

350,000-Quotas for certain

nationalities (decrease numbers for South and Eastern Europe)

-No AsiansWhy?

Sacco & Vanzetti: shows prejudice toward immigrants

Red ScareBefore WWI:-Russia allyDuring WWI:-Russia ally but pull out

of war earlyAfter WWI:-Becomes USSR &

communist-No longer ally-U.S. fears communism

will spread: Red Scare

Effect on Immigration?

FarmersBefore WWI:-Chronically poor, low crop prices, debt

During WWI:-Need food for soldiers so crop prices

increase-farmers are making money to pay off debt

FarmersAfter WWI: -Surplus of crops-Crop prices drop-Increase debt, buy new farm equipment on

credit-Prohibition: 18th Amendment no alcohol so

can’t use grain for alcohol-During war had used all of their land to

farm, land begins drying out

What was the economy of the 20’s like?What were some signs that the economy was troubled in the 20’s?

How can this lead to the negative effects you will see in the 1930’s?