The United States in the 1920s and the 1950s - Assignment Example

Running Head: United s in the 1920s and the 1950s United s in the 1920s and the 1950s [Institute’s United s in the 1920s and the 1950s Introduction United States of America is believed as a land of diverse cultures but it can also be assumed as a land of various historical eras. These eras incorporate era of exploration, era of expansion, era of colonization, era of Great Depression, era of Industrial Revolution, era of lawlessness, Western era, and era of Civil War, Baby Boomer Drug Revolution and Rock n Roll Revolution (1920-30.com, 2005). The evolution era of American history was the roaring period of twenties that was different from other periods socially, economically, politically and artistically. Economic Environment in1920 and 1950 The economy of 1920 boomed and contributed to the success of the country during this era. It resulted in a boost in employment, cost-effective development and consumerism. In 1920s, there was a great enhancement in purchase of commodities, mass production, industrial production, corporate profits and movies. In 1920, every field witnessed innovative breakthroughs and creations. These inventions embrace cars, methods of transportation, gas stations, malls/shopping centers, radio, and sewing machines. The period of 1920 was a period of huge advancement in the sphere of mass communication and the movies became popular as well (Goff & Terry, 2002). The manufacturers made huge profits from new business and production approaches. Departmental stores along with service station chains benefited from considerable retail power and helped in wage rise. The figure of millionaires in US increased during this period. The share market reached to the pinnacle. The salaries of management were increased excessively. Banks offered significant bonuses to their staff. The moral codes of business distorted and corruption was prevalent in politics, business and society. This was an indication of the end of booming period in USA. Comparatively, the period of 1950 was somewhat outdated. The economy during 1950 observed no major innovation. The main issue of this era was inflation, the rise in consumer prices, in indirect business taxes as well as social security taxes. Tax rates along with employment rates carried on climbing during this period. First half of 1950 viewed the prosperity of progress of life insurance companies and enrollment of new private companies to take in the extremes of personal investments (Goff & Terry, 2002). The industries that flourished after the war comprised, transport industry, newspaper industry, automobile industry, housing industry, electronics and aviation and aerospace industry, military industry, Hollywood and newspaper industry. During this time, women’s participation in nation building programmes began and they were offered a chance to step out of their homes to go for work. The major similarity we notice in both eras is that the industrial progress encouraged population to migrate in from rural to urban areas. In 1920s and 1950s, migration was rampant with manufacturing, production and rise in the quality of health and living conditions. Social Environment in 1920 and 1950 The 1920s era personified as the start of modern America and named as ‘the Jazz Age, the Age of Intolerance, and the Age of Wonderful Nonsense’ (1920-30.com, 2005). In 1920, transformation occurred in technology and innovation and the improvements were made in discoveries and inventions. For instance, innovative technology was introduced in Hollywood movies with both sound and color effects. The inventions by Americans during 1920 include videophone, talking pictures, frozen food, iron lung, sticky plasters and liquid fuel rocket. Walt Disney produced Alice in the Wonderland, his first cartoon movie. Legends like “Cole Porter, Louis Armstrong, Rudolph Valentino, George Gershwin, Bessie Smith, Charlie Chaplin and Duke Ellington” (Goff & Terry, 2002) were creations of this era, and Jazz became the most popular music of the period. Similarly, many renowned and eminent authors are associated with this age, for instance, Ernest Hemmingway, Sinclair Lewis, William Faulkner and Carl Sandburg (Kyvig, 2002). The discovery of radio brought entertainment and information to the public after World War I. This period witnessed the development of Ku Klux Klan and the Vigilante groups taking law in their hands. If one analyzes the era of 1950s, we will call it the most dominant age in American history. US population grew in 1950 and this population explosion was called as The Baby Boomers (Goff & Terry, 2002). Inventions in 1950 involve microchip, video tape, breeder reactor, robot, solar cell, radio, credit card, hydrogen bomb, computer modem and video recorder. This epoch observed trendy fashion, progress in entertainment, and discoveries in medicine. The frozen French fries were inventions of this period. This was a time of prosperity when employment opportunities grew and wealth was multiplied. The huge progress in medicine was the invention of polio vaccine. Radio provided information to people in 1920s, whereas, TV offered entertainment and awareness in 1950s. In early years, music was rampant. Rock and roll got an eminent place in popular music. The rock and roll legends included Alan Freed, Sam Philips and Elvis Presley with groups like Comets (Goff & Terry, 2002). Political Environment in 1920 and 1950 “The U.S. presidential election of 1920 was dominated by the aftermath of World War I. The wartime boom had collapsed. Diplomats and politicians were arguing over peace treaties and the question of Americas entry into the League of Nations” (1920-30.com, 2005). Overseas, there were wars and revolution; at home, there were strike, unrest, a growing fear of militant, and terrorists, and disillusionment was in the air. In 1920, Warren G. Harding was appointed as an operational assistant to president and was inherited huge national and international issues. The US economy was flourishing with no international conflict, during 1924 elections. Republicans were related to the flourishing economy of 1920s. Subsequent to the closing stage of World War I, US politics attended cultural and social problems of that period. People of that time craved for the solution of certain issues like traditional state affairs, an end to employment tribulations, ethnic rivalry, a reduced migration, restoration of Christian ethics with a reduction of government intervention in the lives of masses. A number of Americans were fed up of the constant state of war and sick of the regular endeavors of reconstruction. They yearned for a trouble-free life. The “Red Scare and Palmer Raids” started under the patronage of United States Department of Justice (Goff & Terry, 2002). The 18th Amendment in the U.S. charter proved effectual. It was about the ban on manufacturing, promotion, ownership, and utilization of alcoholic drinks. This law of Prohibition was so challenging that it was revoked in 1933. After war, US presidential elections took place. This was the time when the debate about peace accords and US access to League of Nations was on. There were wars, conflicts and revolts outside the country and rebellion, strikes, unrest and terror of militants inside the country. The great disappointment was up everywhere (Kyvig, 2002). In the American history, 1950 was the leading decade, known for the civil rights movement. In this period, the civil rights act initiated. This law focused on the equal rights of Black and White Americans. This incident directed towards the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1920-30.com, 2005). This was a time when mostly masses were contented with their living standard as compared to 1920s. Everything was ideal for them and they had all to survive. Division and partition were entirely reduced. However, this era not only noticed issue of civil rights but it also focused on corruption, communalism and Korean issue. United States observed constant control in industrialized globe. Americans were worried about their domestic security, for which Truman and Eisenhower took measures and created a policy to declare it to public that America is prevailing and independent. References 1920-30.com. (2005). The threat of Communism, Fascism, and Socialism. Retrieved on December 14, 2009: http://www.1920-30.com/politics/ Goff, Moss and Terry, Upsher. (2002). the Twentieth Century a Brief Global History. McGraw Hill Professional. Kyvig, David E. (2002). Daily Life in the United States- 1920-39. Greenwood Press. Read More