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How Did The Federal Government Change From The 1920's

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The period from the 1920s to the 1950s witnessed a transformation in the power and scope of the federal government in the United States. Significant events such as the Great Depression, the New Deal, and World War II greatly impacted how much power the government could wield without causing a revolt. By examining the federal government's economic, political, and social policies formed from the 1920s-1950s, it can be shown that a bad precedent was set for the expectations of government intervention. The 1920s began with a sense of optimism and prosperity following the end of World War I. Citizens could spend more money and live a new lifestyle due to increased automobile production, household appliances, film, and radio (American Yawp). However, …show more content…

The outbreak of World War II further accelerated the expansion of federal power as the United States used public fear of communism and the war to exert more power over the American people (LibreText). The federal government assumed unprecedented control over the economy through measures such as price controls, rationing, and the allocation of resources for military production. Socially, the war effort brought about significant demographic shifts and social changes as millions of Americans entered the workforce to support the war economy, including women. The federal government played a central role in managing these transitions through initiatives like the GI Bill, which provided education and housing benefits to returning veterans, and the Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC), which sought to prevent discrimination in war-related businesses, primarily intended for minorities, specifically African-Americans. Politically, World War II solidified the United States' position as a global superpower and heightened the federal government's role in international …show more content…

Concerns about government overreach were particularly pronounced during the New Deal, as some viewed Roosevelt's policies as excessive economic intervention and an infringement on states' rights, as many were federally regulated with no input from state government. Similarly, the wartime measures implemented during World War II prompted debates about the balance between national security and civil liberties, as evidenced by the internment of Japanese Americans and restrictions on freedom of speech. The Sedition Act of 1918 became a huge deal as it tightened the reigns on free speech regarding anything involving the war. Any public opinions that put the government in a bad light or interfered with the sale of government bonds were subject to imprisonment. The act was not in effect long, but proved how much power the government had begun to exert. However, proponents contend that expanding federal power was necessary to address the nation's unprecedented challenges, from economic collapse to global

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