New Money, New Technology, & New Problems

New Money, New Tech, New Problems: My Q’s How did WWI affect the American economy? How did the automobile industry affect the American economy? What were three improvements in mass communication and how did it affect America? How did the assembly line affect production and factory workers? Name three new problems that were a result of increased automobile usage.

Booming Economy Despite the fact that Europe was left in shambles after WWI, the United States was—in comparison—left untouched by the destructive war. In fact, WWI boosted the economy since many were able to find jobs in war-related industries. With higher living standards than before, Americans took risks during this time period, creatively thinking of new ways of doing business and new inventions. These new ideas and inventions would change America forever.

New Money The development of electrical appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners and the expansion of automobile industries in America created economic growth and prosperity. The automobile industry especially stimulated the economy, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs and boosting related industries like rubber, oil, steel, and highway construction. Moreover, since Europe was trying to recover from WWI, America was able to loan money to war-torn countries and consequently made a lot of money from the interest on these loans.

The Assembly Line The introduction of the assembly line, made famous by Henry Ford, allowed factories to become 40% more productive between 1919 and 1929. At sprawling plants primarily in the Midwest, assembly line workers stood in one place and performed repetitive tasks as chains brought the vehicle parts to them. Assembly line workers quickly found their work monotonous and brainless. Many also felt that the skills they learned from different trades or farming were being wasted.

Cities & Consumer Goods For the first time in American history in 1920, more people lived in the city than in the countryside. Because of this trend, businesses adjusted and tried to make city life easier. For example, electric and gas appliances reduced household chores for women. In fact, 75% of women interviewed in 1925 claimed they did less work than their mothers. Food For Thought: What kind of appliances in your house make life easier?

The Automobile Changes America The creation and widespread use of cars in America not only had its benefits, but it also created a slew of new problems. While it made people a lot more mobile, it also caused traffic jams, parking problems, and highway fatalities. In 1924 alone, more than 26,000 people died in accidents. Because of cars, family vacations became easier and tourism spiked throughout the country.

Food For Thought: What other family problems were created because of cars in the 1920s?

Cars Continued Women especially loved cars since they could use it to escape the home, run errands, visit friends, and go shopping. For farmers, cars allowed these isolated people to visit their neighbors and nearby cities more often. However to buy cars and tractors, farmers often had to pay on credit, causing farmers to fall into debt. One room schoolhouses became empty since buses could now carry kids to schools in town and neighborhood ma & pa shops went out of business because people could now visit the supermarket in town. People became unhealthier with the rise of fast food restaurants like A&W and McDonalds.

Threatening the Environment The mass production and popularity of automobiles and electrical appliances took a heavy toll on the environment. New appliances meant using millions of tons of coal, oil, and natural gas to make them run. Americans used much-needed fuel for the rest of the world and polluted their own environment in the process. Cars also allowed people to move to places that were once only wilderness. Once there, these new settlers paved over forests, prairies, and other landforms.

Mass Communication & Celebrity Culture With so many factory workers now bored by their assembly line jobs but now having higher wages, many participated in a race to “keep up with Jones”. Advances in radio broadcast, film, and wider publication of magazines and newspapers provided entertainment and quick information. And because people in California and Ohio were receiving much of the same information, the national identity of Americans were strengthening. Many people began to subscribe to magazines like Reader’s Digest, which included advertisements for new inventions and services. With radio and film becoming more popular, sports celebrities like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Jack Dempsey became stars overnight.