American Boom

There was a huge boom in America after the First World War. A boom is when the whole of America had a great economic growth. Things got bigger and better very rapidly. Americas industry was vastly improving minute by minute, this gave Americans a lot more confidence and for them the sky was the limit.

The most important cause of the boom was mass production. Produce was made in bulk for less money. Mass production was introduced to make things quicker, cheaper and to ensure that there was plenty produce to go round.

Take cars for instance. In that day the most popular car was made by Ford and called the Tin Lizzie. Every one was the same colour and had the same engine size. In the year 1911 these cars cost $1200 but since mass production was introduced the prices lowered incredibly. In 1920 the price of the Tin Lizzie was $295.

Because industries like the car were increasing, so were other industries. For example the glass industry, because there were so many cars being introduced and produced more glass was needed for the windows. So that is another reason for the boom. All industries were reliant on each other and they encouraged all around growth.

Another major reason was the discovery of electricity. Huge amounts of fabulous new products were invented. Some of which were the hover, the fridge, the radio and the flush lavatory. Advertisements, shopping and socialising were also the results of this.

Because all these fabulous new products, Americans began to be a lot more confident and bought a lot more. Also with the new credit system introduced Americans could buy more confidently knowing all their money wasn't gone.

Another huge part of American's buying products was the customer society system. People felt as if they had to keep up with the neighbours. If the Jones's bought a car the Smith's had to have one too. This system is still going on today.

Not only did mass production, confidence, new industry and finance cause the boom but also there were a few less important factors leading to the boom. The war for one gave America a little head start in world trade; because other countries such as Germany had lost their economy America was one of the main countries supplying natural resources. I.e. Coal and timber.

In conclusion the boom in the 1920's in America was caused by (in order of importance)

1. Mass