Assignment 3 AMH
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Assignment 3
11/15/2023
The Roaring Twenties
The United States' turbulent 20th-century history is indicative of the dynamic interaction
between economic growth and governmental policies. The country saw the ebb and flow of
migration patterns, a global phenomenon that shaped the distribution of old and new world
immigrants, at the same time that it struggled with the emergence of massive businesses like
railroads and meatpacking. The 1920s proved to be a paradoxical decade, ushering in the
Twentieth Century while simultaneously acting as the "first" period of mass consumption.
During this time, the KKK reappeared, prohibition was enforced, and immigration laws
underwent a radical change. Following the Crash and Depression, the government's
involvement in economic matters was reevaluated, which had revolutionary political effects. The
objective of this essay is to examine the relationships between economic development and
political activities, with a focus on key events and policies that shaped the American experience
during the 20th century.
The 1920s marked the aftermath of World War I, and the United States experienced a
period of economic prosperity. This “prosperity” was only prosperity for some; according to
Digital History it states the following about the prosperity during this time: “For many groups of
Americans, the prosperity of the 1920s was a cruel illusion. Even during the most prosperous
years of the Roaring Twenties, most families lived below what contemporaries defined as the
poverty line.” (Digital History). Under Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover, the government
adopted a laissez-faire policy that involved little economic involvement. The first "big"
companies emerged during this time, particularly in the railroad and meatpacking sectors, and
this helped to fuel economic expansion and the emergence of a consumer-driven society.
Additionally, this was the beginning of business owners taking more money and not paying
employees fairly. There were also long-lasting policies put into effect during this time. The 18th
Amendment's Prohibition was intended to address societal concerns, but instead it contributed
to the growth of organized crime. Nativist beliefs were reflected in the Emergency Quota Act of
1921 and the National Origins Act of 1924, two laws that restricted immigration with the
intention of reducing the number of "new" immigrants.
The stock market crash of 1929 marked the onset of the Great Depression, revealing the
vulnerabilities of the laissez-faire economic model. The economic downturn led to widespread
unemployment, poverty, and despair.
In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in
1933 and initiated the New Deal, which was a series of comprehensive federal programs aimed
at addressing the economic crisis. According to the Library of Congress’s “President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal” states the following about Roosevelt and his plans with
the New Deal: “Based on the assumption that the power of the federal government was needed
to get the country out of the depression, the first days of Roosevelt’s administration saw the
passage of banking reform laws, emergency relief programs, work relief programs, and
agricultural programs. Later, a second New Deal was to evolve; it included union protection
programs, the Social Security Act, and programs to aid tenant to farmers and migrant workers.”
(Library of Congress). A paradigm shift in federal government policy was brought about during
the New Deal. A number of programs were launched under the Roosevelt administration, such
as the Social Security Act, which created a safety net for the elderly and jobless. Farm programs
tried to lessen the hardships faced by rural communities, while transportation regulations
sought to maintain industry stability. Through public works initiatives, the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) offered employment opportunities
and financial assistance. During these divergent decades, the President's position was crucial in
determining federal policy. Presidents of the 1920s accepted a restricted role for the federal
government in economic matters, letting companies function with little intervention. As a result,
the economy expanded but economic instability and inequality also increased. On the other
hand, the federal government's role was reinterpreted during the 1930s. Roosevelt's dedication
to vigorous involvement to tackle the economic crisis was evident in his leadership. In order to
promote economic recovery and solve social difficulties, his administration put social welfare
programs, public works projects, and regulatory measures into effect.
In summary, the story of the United States during the 20th century is a gripping tale of
the dynamic relationship between economic growth and governmental policies. The trip
through patterns of migration, massive industrialization, and the contradictory 1920s era reveals
the intricacies and paradoxes ingrained in the development of the country. The 1920s' laissez-
faire policies, which brought riches to some but hardship to many, paved the way for the
vulnerabilities that the Great Depression revealed. Under his inspiring leadership, President
Franklin D. Roosevelt brought forth the New Deal, a period of revolutionary federal policy. The
government's redefining role brought out projects like the SSA and agriculture programs,
changing the socioeconomic landscape as the United States dealt with the aftermath. The
divergent decades highlight how important presidential leadership is in determining federal
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policies, illustrating the constant conflict between minimum interference and active
participation. Federal government policies on economic growth saw a substantial evolution
during the 1920s and the 1930s. The interventionist policies of the New Deal era replaced the
laissez-faire philosophy of the Roaring Twenties, demonstrating the realization that government
engagement in economic matters is necessary in times of crises. With Roosevelt's New Deal left
a lasting legacy of altering the connection between the government and the economy, the
President's position became increasingly important in determining the direction of federal
policies.
Work Referenced:
https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/great-
depression-and-world-war-ii-1929-1945/franklin-delano-roosevelt-and-the-new-deal/
(N.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?
smtID=2&psid=3432
(N.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-
source-timeline/great-depression-and-world-war-ii-1929-1945/franklin-delano-roosevelt-
and-the-new-deal/