A Quick Overview of the 1920s.

AP US History

Five technological and economic developments of the 1920s include the mass adoption of
automobiles, college education was becoming more common, radio was spreading new ideas all around
the country, the prohibition of selling alcohol made a vast underground market, and huge advances in
aviation. Three that stand out the most is the mass adoption of automobiles, the use of the radio, and
college education becoming more widespread. The mass adoption of automobiles is very important
because it characterized the image of the roaring twenties. Cars brought along a fast paced lifestyle,
and improved almost all economic functions of the United States.

The use of the radio allowed ideas and communication to occur at a faster rate than ever
before. This resulted in a closer sense of nationalism and allowed a national conscience. College
education becoming more normal for boys allowed for more intelligent citizens that would contribute to
society.

The economy was not as healthy as we thought not because of many bad business practices and
lack of regulation. An unequal balance of wealth was widespread with most of the money in the hands
of a few incredibly rich families. Overproduction and under consumption really hit American
manufacturers hard, forcing them to fire employees. Bad monetary policy did not help things either.
These issues werent addressed because no one really cared to address them.

I have to agree with the historians view on the 1920s presidents. They were all very mediocre,
expect for Harding who I think shouldnt really be judged because he died way too early in his term.
Harding was genuinely a nice man and actually set up the first disarmament conference in US history.
Coolidge was a mediocre president mainly because nothing happened during his term, and he didnt do
anything to stop the inevitable stock market crash. President Hoover was the worst president in my
opinion. His arrogance was legendary; he would make enemies out of people that he couldnt have
afforded to make enemies with in a time of crisis.

One of the most important programs made during the New Deal was the implantation of the
CCC. The Civilian Conservation Corps put 2 million young unemployed men to work by building bridges,
planting trees, etc. It really helped better society during the Great Depression. The Federal Emergency
Relief Act helped a lot too, giving money to families in need. Social Security is also a very important
program. Social Security helped give money to the elderly to spend in the economy and gave money to
the unemployed. I picked Social security because its one the few new deal programs that we still have
today.

Before Roosevelts New Deal the federal government would not interfere with business. This was the age
old idea of laissez-faire . There were no federal regulations, and institutions such as banks made their
own rules. This was one of the first times that the federal government tried to play such a big part in
their citizens lives. Institutions such as the CCC and the CWA gave the federal government the power to
control unemployment. The TVA gave the federal government power to really regulate and micro-
manage areas such as the Tennessee valley. NIRA was the federal government trying to regulate and
help industry in the US. It failed, but it gave the average worker a minimum wage, and overtime.