The time span from world war first to world war second was a period of developments and changes in the United States of America. The changes and developments were perceived in every sector of the country that affected the whole nation widely. The story of American development was going on a steady rate of knots and moreover was depended on agricultural sector, till the decade of 1920. The progress was put at a halt later on as Americans faced the period of great depression. It further gave birth to several other problems and also the solutions that proved out to be a path of developments. In this paper, we would look at different phases of development in the history of America and also look at several other related aspects.
Consequences of world war first were clearly visible on the economy and society of the America. The trend of migration was seen among the People, especially youths. People started migrating from the villages to the bigger industrialized cities and it affected the agricultural sector severely. These newly industrialized Cities were overcrowded as people left villages, farms and their traditional way of living. The agricultural sector was though left by many but it does not mean that it was deserted completely. Several changes occurred in this sector and mechanism was modernized to an upper level. Many techniques were introduced in the agricultural sector and it started contributing in bigger terms in the economy of the country.
Several New necessities arose to meet the demands of the changed scenario. A good and developed transport system was the demand of the time and it was fulfilled on a priority basis. The developed transport system boosted the process of industrialization as well as it helped the agricultural sector in growing. All the available new techniques were used to improve the transport system which resulted in improved railways and roadways. Railway tracks were strong and were providing good mileage with speedy transportation while roadways were highly modernized and able to provide speedy transportation system.
Lesser interests in agriculture and industrialization of the country lead the society towards a modern state, where new rules and regulations were required to tackle the new and complicated situations. Many new rules and regulations were introduced and old ones were amended to meet the requirements and challenges of the new societies. Several rules related to drugs, corruption, women, children, marriage and business transactions were introduced and implemented by the authorities.
A very unique and new change was observed in the field of women employment and a large amount of the credit behind this change goes to the industrialization. Women started working in various sectors and were participating in the economic growth of the country. They proved that they are as good performer as the men are and this was a first step towards the concept of woman equality in the society. Due to the industrialization, production started at a mass level which generated employment for a larger number of the people, and women were the beneficiary of this trend. The trend was more effective during the war period because the men were at the warring borders and to continue the process of production, it was necessary for women to work.
The period of 1890 to 1920 is known as the progressive era. In this period, a number of Americans emerged as businessman taking the benefits of the circumstances and the policies of the government. This new class believed that the government should not interfere in the economic policies and look after only law and order situation of the society. In this period, the policies were in favor of these people and they made huge money from different businesses. The rights of the workers were not recognized and they were exploited by these business class people.
Woodrow Wilson introduced several changes in the policies which were later on carried out by his successors. These improvements made some changes in the situation but some people have already taken the advantage of the situation and has made good sum of money. After the above said changes, the decade of 1930 brought the era of great depression and neither the government nor any authority succeeded in controlling the depression.
The great depression of America came in the year of 1929 with the crash of American stock market. The depression caused serious troubles for the American people. Unemployment rate touched more the figure of twenty five percent. The condition of industries, export sector, agriculture, mining and other sectors were completely affected and this depression turned out to be a nightmare for the United States of America. This phase was very painful for the people of America and the economy. Taxes were increased, unemployment was reached at a high rate and people were not well fed.
George Babbitt was a small business man and like others he also was widely affected during the turbulent times of America. A large amount of changes were observed in the behavior of the people and business men. People who had earned a good amount of money before the depression were able to manage the situation but they also started cost cutting in their daily expenses. The condition of the Common people was in very bad shape. Their behavior and psychology was changed during the depression .
The people of America were well fed and they used to live a good lifestyle before the depression. Industrialization changed the concept and later on it was reformed completely. Earlier people used to live in villages and small cities and were depended on agriculture for their livelihood. After the concept of industrialization, people migrated heavily into the big industrialized cities in search of employment, opportunities and better livelihood. Now they started getting cash and living in cities with better infrastructure. A new middle class was born who had the money to spend and purchasing capacity of the society was improved. This middle class was actually the most effective in the turbulent times of depression. Since the industries where they used to work were suffering losses, they started cost cutting. Many people became jobless and they started suffering because they already had deserted their previous occupation of agriculture.
Though the period of depression was over in two to three years but the scars, it left on the people and the society was left unhealed for a longer period. During the period of Second World War, the situation for the United States of America was overall satisfactory as the nation was getting enormous money from the export of arms ammunition and other war related items.
After the Second World War was over, the American economy entered into a golden period. America emerged as a world power in terms of military as well as in the economic sector. America was a beneficiary of the disastrous war and the nation got several notable benefits out of the world war. The GDP, productivity, education, food, infrastructure, per capita income, everything was improved and the quality was returned back. The middle class or working class again started making money as the condition of the industries was not only improved but was in a better condition in terms of economy and technique. The rate of unemployment was improved and became positive in terms of youth employment. New industries were established and old ones, that were shut down again restarted.
Several economic reforms and policies were introduced by the government which made changes in the overall economic condition of the society. The concept of de-regularization was introduced and the investment bankers were invited to invest in the industries then owned by the government. The people started earning and investing their money for their better future.
After having a close analysis, it is clear that the economy of America passed through good and bad times in the period of first and Second World War. People have seen the developments and changes in the society. The society was passing through a phase of development, was ready to face the new changes and challenges in the contemporary scenario. A number of regulations and changes were introduced and amended in the Economy as well as society which started looking after some time. The newly made policies boosted the process of development which continued for the centuries and still going on.
Works Cited
Clark, Cynthia L. The American Economy: A Historical Encyclopedia. California: ABC CLIO, 2011.
John O'Sullivan and Edward F. Keuchel. American economic history: from abundance to constraint . New Jersy: Wiener Publisher, 1989.
Lewis, Sinclair. "Babbitt ." 11 February 2006. gutenberg. 1 December 2011
