The USA by 1920

• The USA by 1920

  Economic power

  USA emerged the leading creditor nation cos it had lent billions to the Allies and other nations during war. By 1917 alone it was owed $2.25b by Allies. It had expanded its industrial capacity to manufacture goods: By 1918 had overtaken Germany as the world's leading producer of fertilisers and chemicals. Other countries which had relied on Britain and France for goods or investment now turned to USA. US investment in Latin America rose e.g., Argentina - $40 mil in 1913 to $611 mil in 1929.
• The USA by 1920


  Social and ethnic divisions

  The 1920 census showed more than 50% of Americans were living for the first time in urban areas: 54 mil out of 106 mil. However, one should not overemphasise this fact; 16 of 54 mil still lived in communities of fewer than 25,000 inhabitants and many still held on to 'traditional' values such as thrift, hard work and plain living.
• The USA by 1920

  Social and ethnic divisions 2

  Nevertheless, the USA was becoming more cosmopolitan and diverse. The waves of new immigrants and influx of AA had changes the nature of many urban areas and developed their own cultures - shown in 1920s e.g., the popularity of jazz music.
• The USA by 1920

  Social and ethnic divisions 3

  Ethnic divisions remained - indeed were exacerbated. The movement of AA to cities in the war years gad caused considerable tensions, such as riots in the city of East St Louis in summer 1917 which saw 39 deaths.
• The USA by 1920


  Political reaction to the growth in government

  Was often tense. There was a widespread distrust of the expansion of gov which had been perceived during presidencies of Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson but particularly during the war years. Many Republicans sought to reverse these, favouring a return to laissez-faire. Republic Candidate in 1920 election, Harding, promised 'a return to normalcy', by which he meant non-involvement abroad and reduction in role of gov. In election, w/ Wilson incapacitated by a stroke, Harding won w/ clear majority of 16 mil votes to 9 mil.
• The USA by 1920

  Foreign involvement

  The USA and Wilson in particular became heavily involved in the peace process, although it was disillusion here that was to lead to an attempted return to isolationism in the 1920s.
• The USA by 1920

  Renewed isolationism

  There was a strong sense that USA had bailed out the Allies and won the war on their behalf. Many Americans sought return to non-involvement in European affairs or even isolationism. This was exemplified:

  • by the Senate rejecting the peace treaties which it felt could simply lead to another war
  • by refusing to ppt in the League of Nations, a new international organisation set up to prevent future wars.
• The USA by 1920


  Renewed isolationism 2

  However, was impossible for USA w/ its economic power and influence to adopt policy of isolationism. Throughout the ensuing decades it became involved in disarmament conferences and treaties and continued its policies of intervention, particularly in Latin America, to protect its economic interests.