Negative Effects Of Consumerism In The 1920s

During the 1920s, the United States was going through a great change. The United States shifted from a producer orientated society into a consumerist society. Prior to the 19th century most producers only produced what was needed in quantities. Usually that meant what their village or farm could use. In the early 20th century, the US was in a time of rapid technology and communication advancements. Advances such as interchangeable parts, radio, and refrigerators helped transform America into a consumerist society. The inventions laid the foundation for mass production. Mass production along with unskilled workers allowed for millions of products to be made very quickly and cheaply. American were now able to buy products they were never able to before. Automobiles

“In the 1920s, partly as a result of techniques pioneered by wartime propaganda, advertising came of age” (Brinkley 551). This helped create the market for “unnecessary” products in the lives of Americans.
Mass consumerism in many ways was positive for developing America. It allowed for a more comfortable living style as it made every day task easier. It also allowed for a higher growth rate for the economy. Overall, the negative effect outweighed the positive effects. In many ways people became power hungry, they craved goods as well as a job that would provide enough disposable income to fit their needs. In many ways this left Americans with a sad empty feeling when they did not get the things they desired. Due to this, spiritual feelings were put to the side in search of physical desires. This desire for material possessions increased the crime rate. All of these factors also increased the debt of