Struggles In The 1920s

The 1920’s the Decade of Silent Struggle

The roaring twenties is the name given to a decade that from afar seemed to be a time of wealth and adventure when in reality it was a time of struggle. The decade was known to be one that included lavish parties and appearances at speakeasies. Although very few led this luxurious lifestyle many individuals were left scrambling to make it by. Many were already in debt inflicted by their own poor economic decisions or others struggled due to the change in the United States economy post-war. For some, it was as if the Depression had already started, while others in a delusion by the decade were buying more than they could afford. Despite the lure of the seemingly prosperous society of the twenties, many

During the decade the United States stock market began to undergo an extreme expansion. So much so it seemed that investing in the stock market was the only way to make quick money. It was popular as it wasn’t only for the rich it was something that even ordinary citizens could partake in to make money. Although this seemed to be an extreme financial gain for the country the lure didn’t last long. Inevitably prices fell into their expected decline leaving millions of shareholders left rushing to liquidate their holdings. This only sped up the decline and allowed for panic to sweep throughout the country. The issues of the stock market had already begun as “production had already declined and unemployment

In the late 1920s, the United States economy continued to grow and the lending that was done by United States banks to foreign countries began to fall due to the country’s higher interest rates. Meanwhile, American farmers who were struggling because of overproduction wrote to Congress for the passage of new tariffs for their agricultural imports and exports. Congress responded with the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act which proposed more expensive tariffs on agricultural and industrial products. Unfortunately, the results weren’t ones worth celebrating as “The legislation naturally provoked retaliatory measures by several other countries, the cumulative effect of which was declining output in several countries and a reduction in global trade.” (John 1). Even though the Depression was looming and hadn’t truly begun the country was already suffering. Farmers were already struggling with overproduction and now we're losing even more business due to lack of trade. While low-income Americans were suffering frustration and reluctance to trade with the United States was now present in Europe. The severe hit in trade would continue to contribute to the ever-growing economic problems of the United States as many important resources would be lost. The facade of the prosperous wealth of the twenties was hit hard as more and more people faced