Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
THE ECONOMIC DOWNFALL: A JAZZ TALE OF MISERY - Coggle Diagram
THE ECONOMIC DOWNFALL: A JAZZ TALE OF MISERY
Which groups missed out the prosperity of the 1920s?
Farmers
capital farm income was 1/3 of the national average.
Over-production
The problem of over-production was exacerbated by the sudden fall in demand after 1929
After the war, wartime production levels were maintained, resulting in falling prices for the food produced
Farm produce was being sold at prices below the actual cost of production
Many city dwellers were desperate for food
But
they could no longer afford to pay good prices
African-American population
the lowest economic position in a relatively poor region of the country
Because of segregation they had a poor education which reinforced the poor
social
economic position
They were beginning to occupy industrial and manufacturing jobs. But they were the worst paid in general
Decent jobs went to the white population
Women
There was little improvement in terms of the quality of their employment opportunities or in their pay.
Most women remained in poorly paid, low- status, menial occupations
Women played a role as supplementary wage-earners
Women were absent from the most common professions
With the exception of teaching and nursing
Trade Unionists
The Red Scare of 1919 and the Palmer Raids of 1920s
Made that many workers avoid joining to unions
Big business forced employees to sign “yellow dog” contracts in which employees agreed not to strike
Native Indian Americans
high rates of alcoholism and crime, low life expectancy, and high infant mortality.
What was done to help the poor?
government tried to help but they only aggravated the situation
Some states established departments of public or social welfare
Were helped by private charity.
Why was so little done to help the poor?
The poor were African-Americans, Catholics, and Jewish immigrants, this was regarded as entirely desirable
Provide relief to poverty was beyond the commonly-held concept of the role of government
How had this come about to be possible?
Certain weaknesses in the American economy
The policy of rugged individualism didnt supported poor people
Only the well-off could afford to buy so output increased but consumer buying power didnt