Introduction
In 1920s, a wave of socioeconomic transformation was evident in America. The advancement in social history during this time remains notable. American political history has continuously changed over years. Such changes have occurred due to varying government policies. For instance, the democrats dominated the authority from 1800 to 1860.
It is evident that the concerned trends shifted in 1860s. This period marked the rule of Lincoln. In the successive period, GOP ruled the nation. This was predominant up to 1932. Their vote out and consequent lose of power in 1932 was due to the “Great Depression.” The voters widely blamed them for the creation of the great depression.
The consequent periods of 1932 to 1980 was largely dominated by the Democrats. However, this pattern shifted to the Republican. From the 1980, with Reagan as the president, the GOP assumed authority. This is a critical provision when considered historically. It is evident that there were several changes in America’s sociopolitical and economic spheres during these periods. This paper discusses some of the eminent socioeconomic as well as political transformations that occurred in the U.S. from 1920-1945.
The 1920’s Boom and Bust
This period indicates the time when the Republicans were in authority. Up to 1932, Republicans dominated the entire US with policies that potentially favored capitalists. During this time, there were several nicknames that arose. For instance, “Roaring Twenties” has been used for several years. Basically, it expresses excitement and transformations within social structures that transpired during the period. There were several adjustments that occurred during this period.
These were notable within the social settings, the economy and the political spheres. The lives of most Americans were greatly affected by the policies that Republican authority used in managing the economy. Notably, the boom in the American economy during this period had potential implications. For instance, it led to the increase in wages for many citizens. Observably, there was also a general fall in the prices for basic commodities. The ultimate result was a general rise in the living standards.
There were high trends notable on the living standards. Apart from this, a dramatic rise in the level of consumer consumption was also realized within the entire economy. In this period, the issue of femininity also gained momentum. The labor-saving domestic appliances did not significantly transform the lives of many women.
They also had limited voting rights. However, the youthful American women began transforming their lifestyle. They changed their dressing patterns, perceptions and also acted in a strange manner. Most traditional parents remained shocked at this dramatic change. It is imperative to indicate the potential role of the general mass media in motivating these changes during this period.
The mass media during this time mainly comprised of the radio as well as the motion pictures. Indicatively, manufacturers invested approximately $5.3 billion yearly. There was a significant rise in the physical capital for each employee during this time. Generally, it is notable that the Republican government had a significant role in creating and propagating the boom and bust of 1920s.
The Great Depression
The Great Depression remains one of the historical hard economic periods in US. The great crash was not a direct cause of the depression during the 1930’s. However, it exacerbated the effects on the lives of typical Americans.
Analytically viewed, the Great Depression emerged as a result of the potential flaw and contradictions that was eminent in the global economy. During this period, the middle class households lost savings. Astonishingly, most previously vibrant commercial banks became bankrupt and closed their operations abruptly. Most typical American citizens died and lost huge savings.
Furthermore, they suffered considerable psychological pain and torture. Due to the prevailing economic contraction, several organizations downsized their production and human resources. Consequently many citizens were thrown out from employment, their salaries were trimmed and most of them retired without any benefits. Most individuals who serviced mortgages lost their residential, homes as well as their farming lands.
Foreclosures led to bank failures. As citizens downsized on their consumption, there were increased negative impacts. For instance, farmers and other corporations produced less. Notably, in the close of 1930, the condition completely engulfed the entire country. There was no going to be a positive change up to 1940. This was after the general economic state was reinstated back into maximum potential.
This was catapulted by the emergence of the Europe battle. This marked the most severe economic downfall in the history of the United States. In addition, the Great Depression was also a highly grating mental and ethical experience that most American citizens had never faced. This was apart from their Civil War. Not less than 50 per cent of all citizens were jobless. Observably, an approximate of 90 per cent remained underemployed. Homelessness and shantytowns were common within all states.
The political impacts of the Great Depression are largely notable. For instance, it led to the termination of the long Republican rule during that time. A majority of the US citizens largely attributed the economic failures to the poor policies that were developed by the Republican authorities. Therefore, a historic election in the subsequent years led to the entrance of the Democrat FDR in authority.
FDR’s New Deal Policies
Political consequences of the Great Depression endorsed Democrat FDR into rule. This new entrant was remarkable, with the development of fresh policies. Observably, by the 1937, the extent of the depression became more deep and intricate. The occurrence of extensive disasters during 1936 and 1937 within regions such as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas aggravated the already severe depression impacts.
The factories did not realize any sale or revenues from their merchandise. The entrance of FDR brought some considerable hopes for the American folk. Roosevelt’s wife ensured the appointment of many females within high government cadres. She also echoed the sentiments behind organized labor and paid interest to the grievances of the Blacks.
Many laws were also passed. However, the failure of the country’s financial system was a big worry. Freezing of the gold price was evident. The “New Deal” tried to stop farmers’ dispossession through formation and foundation of the “Farm Credit Administration.” Additionally, “the Federal Emergency Relief Administration” became founded. A relief program within all the states was started forthwith to help support the ailing poor citizens.
The entrance of the FDR was marked by a period of intensive reforms and adjustments that positively influenced the economy. Employment levels also rose during this period. There was also the establishment of the “National Recovery Administration.” This was an agency charged with the responsibility to restore life within the crushed U.S. economy. In 1933, the “New Deal” as well as its other programs encountered a serious drawback.
This was when the American Supreme Court directed that the ND was unconstitutional. Farmers were given considerable attention during this period of economic revival. The greatest achievement of the FDR’s new deal was to reduce the economic privation suffered by several U.S. citizens. However, this strategy failed as a methodology for economic revival. The FDR started abandoning most of its projects.
This was, particularly on the realization that unemployment trends leveled to considerably minimal percentages during the early 1937. The final outcome was another economic failure. A depression ensued again and serious revelations and lessons were discovered. The Great depression thus intensified even in the reign of the FDR rule in the United States. This is a critical provision when considered critically in various contexts. It is through American history that most chronological provisions of US emerge.
The WWII
The mentioned depression persisted until the start of the World War II. The demand for American goods increased tremendously during this period. The two incidences of the great depression together with the new deal transformed the sociopolitical landscape of the American society. Generally, enormous government expenditure resulted into the halt of the economic depression. Consequently, full employment of all citizens was attained by 1943-45.
The United State’s initial order of operation was to arrange a military system. The impacts of the processes of war during the World War II cannot be underestimated. For instance, during the progression of the Second World War, the military as well as business governance closed up together. These two factors also cooperated to eliminate labor unions from crucial instances of the federal government policy. Labor assumed a subordinate architecture and the government’s expenditure on defense significantly advanced.
The increase in the level of production also had significant impacts on the economy. There was a remarkable decrease in unemployment rates within the whole country. This meant an improved life standard for the general population. This is a vital provision when considered critically in the American context.
1942 marked the period in which the full employment level was attained by the economy. Notably, West American groups benefited a lot due to the wartime financing received from the government. Generally, the emergence of the metal industry and merchandise was noted during this duration of World War II in America.
Contracts and negotiations increased. In addition, several producers and manufacturers realized high revenues. This enhanced their capacities to effectively sustain the employment of several citizens. The large corporation benefited immensely from the numerous dealings that were eminent during the World War II. Notably, the U.S. treasury was a domineering capital source for ventures in the period of the Second World War. Generally, it is notable that the World War II was a blessing for the U.S. economy.
Conclusion
The period between 1920 and 1945 remain remarkable in America. This is because it marks the duration in which there was a major socioeconomic and political transformation. Historically, this period remains as one of the times when American capitalism was severely tested.
The war coupled with the “no-strike policy” caused severe impacts during the period. These alterations enabled employers to draw huge profits. As a result, capitalism was propagated. The World War II still remains a timely savior from the impacts of the great depression and new deal.