USA 1918-1929

Question	Answer
League Of Nations	The League of Nations was the idea of the american president Woodrow Wilson as it was one of his 14 points. He thought the LON would could act like a world parliament where the representatives of all the major powers would meet to discuss matters of international importance. He was sure that the LON could prevent another world war.
Why did America reject the league of Nations?	The LON was set up following the end of WW1 as part on the TOV. Wilson wanted to join but he needed approval of the US congress. The problem was many Americans did not want to join and instead remained in favour 'isolationism' where the US would remain isolated form foreign entanglements.
Isolationism	Many Americans wanted isolationism over joining the LON because the USA had lost a lot of American troops in WW1 which wasn't their war to fight in. They felt that if they did join the LON then they would be obliged to interfere in conflicts which were none of their business. They were also against it as it would cost the USA a lot of money as well as Americans being suspicious of the British and French.
USA gaining from WW1	The American economy boomed as a result of WW1. The USA exported weapons and food to Europe during the war. As the USA joined the fight late, no fighting took place on american soil. Therefore after the War countries whose industries had been damaged bought American goods with American loans.
Cheap European imports	American business were afraid that the USA would be flooded with cheap European imports. Unemployment was higher in Europe so European workers were willing to work for lower wages. Business men were worried that Americans would start buying European products rather than more expensive American ones. This would mean the loss of American jobs, Lower profits for US companies and less money in taxes for the US government.
Overseas Tariffs	Warren G Harding was elected president in 1921 and brought in the Emergency tarred act in May 192. This act increased the tariff of rates on imported farm products. In 1922 the Fordney-McCumber tariff gave the President the power to raise and lower tariff rates. Harding used the Fordney-McCumber tariff to raise duties on both factory and farm goods. He hoped to protect America from unfair European competition. However Europe countries retaliated by increasing tariffs on American imported goods. This really isolated american.
Immigration Control	Before WW1 America had a open door policy where almost anyone was allowed in. In 1917 an immigration law was passed which stated that immigrants would have to have a test to see if they could read or write before being allowed access, those who failed were turned away. In 1921 the immigration Quota act was introduced. In this the American government looked at how many immigrants from each background had entered in 1910. From this they allowed 3% of that number in. In 1924 the origins act was introduced which put restrictions on the number of immigrants allowed in. By 1929 only 150,000 immigrants were allowed in per year. Europeans made up 85% and asians were not allowed in.
1920's Economic Boom	There was low infiltration, low unemployment and low interest rates. Cities were rebuilt with tall skyscrapers and major road building programmes were undertaken. There was a consumer boom as more people could afford items like radios, refrigerators and telephones. Advertising encouraged more spending and became a big business in itself. Credit facilities become widely available. This meant that the banks were happy to give loans out.
Hire Purchase	This was buying items in instalments and was introduced to make to make cars more affordable to average earners who could only buy them on credit.
Stock Market Boom	1.5 million Americans bought shares in the 1920's. Before the price of shares began rising unrealistically in 1928 there were sensible reasons for buying them. People were investing in a real boom in production and consumption. It only started to go bad when people took to buying shares on credit in hope of selling them for profit.
The Motor Industry	The jobs of 1 in 12 workers were linked to motor car production. Car production boosted other industries like steel, oil and rubber. Cars became more affordable - the Ford model T was under $300. Ford, Chrysler and General Motors dominated the car industry. The annual car production increased from 1.9m in 1920 to 4.5m in 1929. Ford used an assembly line in their factories. It divided manufacturing tasks among group workers and made production far more efficient which allowed for a reduction in price.
Poverty in the 1920's	Wealth wasn't distributed equally and there was a big gap between rich and poor. 16% of the wealth was owned by the richest 1% of people. 25% of wealth was owned by the richest 5% of the people. Under 5% of the wealth was owned by the poorest 60% of people.
The Red Scare	This was a scare of communism spreading throughout the USA after two communist parties were set up in 1919. The red scare affected Sacco and Vanzetti who were Italian immigrants who believed the American government was run wrong. They were convicted of murder after an armed robbery. They were both communist and the judge thought they were a threat to America so they were killed. 4000 immigrants were deported and they were mainly Russians.
Old Industries Suffered	The coal industry did badly as coal mining suffered from completion with oil. Cars and trucks took over form railways which were major for coal. About 10% less coal was mined in 1929 than in1919. More efficient technology also caused workers to be laid off and this who remained had their wages reduced. In1920 the wartime cotton boom collapsed. In 1921 the boll weevil - a battle that feeds off cotton plants destroyed 30% of crops. In the mid 1920s the opposite problem, overproduction caused prices to plunge.
Problems in Agriculture	Farmers had prospered in during the war. But during the 1920s they grew more food than was needed. Overproduction led to falling prices and falling profits. Taxes, mortgages and wages were rising, further reducing the profits of farmers. Also, foreign competition increased in the 1920s. This led to increased rural poverty as farmers couldn't afford rent for their farms so were evicted.
Women in the 1920s	The changing role of women was the result of the important work that they did during WW1. The number of working women increased by 25% and in 1920 all women were given the right to vote. However, most women continued to become housewives and did not have the same freedoms as American men.
Black People and Immigrants in the 1920s	Black people and immigrants found it hard to find work, and the work they did find was often very low paid. Black workers in the towns of the north were the lowest paid and the only work available to them was was menial and unskilled. Minority groups were also some of the first to lose their jobs. During the 1920s almost 1 million black farmers became unemployed. New Yorks black Harlem district was severely overcrowded and segregated community with more than 250,00 crammed into a small area. Their was high levels of poverty and unemployment as well as crime.
Expansion of the Ku Klu Klan	The KKK was formed in the 1860's and increased in popularity in the 1920s. The KKK was a white supremacist organisation based in the southern states of the USA . They opposed African-Americans being given more rights and wanted a pure WASP America. They also discriminated against immigrants, Jewish people and catholics. They used intimidation and violence. KKK membership grew by 4 million by 1925. People joined in fear of their own life as they felt if they didn't they could be in danger. The KKK lost support when Indiana leader D.C. Stephenson was convicted of kidnapping and second degree murder.
Racist Laws	The 'Jim Crow Laws' was a collective of laws that discriminated against African-Americnas. These were more common in southern states. Some laws made it hard for black people to vote. Some laws forced black and white people to have separate facilities - different schools, hospitals, parks, transport. This was segregation and the facilities provided for black people were often worse than the ones for white people.
Prohibition	Christian Temperance movements campaigning for prohibition had been going on since the 19th century. They claimed alcohol led to violence, immoral behaviour and the breakups of family. Also the middle class blamed alcohol for disorder and businessmen said it caused unreliable workers. WW1 resulted in more support for prohibition as many breweries were owned by Germans and the US was fighting Germany. In January 1920 alcohol became illegal to manufacture, distribute and sell.
Distribution Of Alcohol	Saloons shut down and buying alcohol illegally was expensive. Gangsters took over the distribution of alcohol. Moonshiners made the alcohol. Bootleggers sold on redistilled industrial alcohol. Hackers stole smuggled alcohol. Rum runners smuggled alcohol from Europe, the West Indies, Canada and Mexico.
Organised Crime	Millions of Dollars were maid trading illegal alcohol. Prohibition saw an increase in organised crime and civil gangs fought for control of the business. Gangs often owned speakeasies, these were illegal drinking clubs where you had to give a secret password at the door.
Al Capone	In Chicago from1926-29 gang warfare led to almost 1300 murders. Al Capone was a gang leader. He worked as an understudy to Johnny Torrio who was a leading Chicago gangster. He took over Torrio in 1925. He was making $60m a year form alcohol sales. He used a private army to intimidate voters and fight rival gangs. In 1929 7 members of a rival gang died in the St Valentine Massacre. Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion in 1931. In poor health he retired to his florida mansion before dying in 1947.
The End of Prohibition	Prohibition ended in 1933. Enforcing prohibition was impossible and their was a public demand for alcohol. Many people were willing to break the law. Also, prohibition led to corruption as some police men and judges took bribes or became involved in alcohol trade itself.
Changing Morals and Manners	Young people enjoyed smoking, dancing and cocktail parties. Some women started to wear lipstick, shorter skirts and high heels. church attendance fell and divorce rate increased. Many people felt that permissiveness and sexual freedom had gone to far.
Social Developments Film	Film became the essential mass entertainment and built a multi-million dollar industry. Huge cinemas were built which could seat up to 4000 people. Films were silent until1927 when the first talking picture was released. Hollywood was the major film-making centre.
Social Developments Radio	In 1921 there was just one licensed station but by 1923 there were 508. Millions of sets were sold. By 1929 $850m was spent on sets and parts every year.

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	Created by william parr almost 8 years ago