How far did America achieveprosperity in the 1920s? Essay

The 1920s was a time of great change in the USA’s economic situation. After the First World War, America experienced an economic boom, which led to the state of society changing by vast differences. These differences were also apparent in the way that the change effected different people in different situations. The number of people living below the bread line in 1928 increased to an estimated forty-two percent of the American population, however this was during the same period that the number of Americans owning cars was around one car to every five people. Therefore, there is great controversy over to what extent the USA achieved prosperity in the 1920s. Prosperity is a word that is used to describe affluence and wealth within a country. Estimating the rate at which a country experiences prosperity during a period would reveal hoe rich and well off that country was at the time. Many factors contribute and deduct from the prosperity of America during this period, as it is therefore difficult to say how far the current wealth of the country spread within all areas of society. Factors that would state that America’s prosperity spread throughout the nation during the 1920s include the new industries and new industrial methods of the time, mass marketing of new products and the motorcar industry. However, contradicting these areas of American industry include the farming situation at the time, overpopulation of the country, USA’s black population, new immigrants to the country and people involved in old industries. During the 1920s, new industries and new methods of production spread through American manufacturing. It was able to exploit it’s vast natural resources of raw materials to produce steel, chemicals, glass and machinery. These products then became the foundation for secondary industries- or consumer goods. Telephones, radios, vacume cleaners, and washing machines were mass-produced and therefore more people could afford them. Such an example shows hoe America was developing well as an industrial nation, and reveals how the people of the country were now able to buy consumer goods, which before were they were unable to afford. Within this same period, big industries were developing advertising and marketing techniques. Advertising companies were a resultant factor, and came about as groups developed their ideas of propaganda developed during World War One and applied them to industry. This aspect of American society is further evidence for how the USA was favouring the consumer aspect of living in the early twentieth century. Perhaps the most significant contribution to showing how all areas of America succeeded in achieving prosperity in the 1920s is the motor car industry. In 1900, only four thousand cars were built. By 1929, four million, eight hundred thousand were made- indeed it was believed that a Ford Model- T was completed every ten seconds. By 1928, the industry was America’s most successful, and employed hundred of thousands employees directly, and yet more indirectly. The car had vast impacts on the rest of American industry. The businesses supplying raw materials required to make a car also prospered at a similar rate. More glass, rubber and steel were required; boosting these areas of industry. Furthermore, increased amounts of petrol were required, and more people found employment- building miles of roads across the country to cater for the increased amount of traffic. The car industry also stimulated the housing industry. It meant that more people were able to buy homes away from the cities in the suburbs, and commute on a daily basis into town. This factor, I feel was the most important cause to America’s successful spread of prosperity in the 1920s. Apposed to these views, numerous factors exist which show evidence against the notion of America’s wealth in the 1920s being nationwide, and influencing every area of society. A clear example of an industry, and therefore it’s people, which did not benefit from this time is farming. The average farm income fell from twenty- two billion dollars in 1919, to thirteen billion dollars in 1928. This was largely due to the European market. During the war, American has shipped millions of tons off grain to Europe. However, the war also bankrupted Europe, meaning few people could afford American goods. Furthermore, the Republican tax on American goods was still in place, resulting in Europe sill unable to afford American produce. From 1900 to 1920, while farms were doing quite well, more and more land was being farmed. Improved machinery, especially combine harvesters and improved fertilisers made US agriculture extremely efficient. The result was that by 1920 it was producing surpluses of wheat, which nobody wanted. Farming communities were devastated as farms struggled to sell wheat, even at extremely low prices. The extent of this hardship is shown when it is realised around half of all Americans lived in rural areas. Mostly working on farms or in businesses that sold goods to farms. Therefore, this problem directly affected millions of people. As the farm income fell, the situation of many rural communities was desperate. It is clear when looking at the effects American prosperity had on it’s Black and new immigrant populations that current American wealth did not reach all areas of people. The black population was badly hit. They held the tradition of holding the least skilled jobs in rural areas. As they lost their jobs on the farms, three quarters of a million of them became unemployed. The majority of farming families remained very poor throughout the 1920s, meaning that they did not see the technological advances of the time- including electricity, cars and radios. New immigrant to the country at this time did not receive the great welcome of a liberated country they had all hoped. They faced discrimination in the work place, and took whatever work they could- partly because they were generally uneducated as other workers. A large number worked in the construction industry where, at the time, there was a big boom. However, despite this increase in the industries size, the average was only rose by four percent in the 1920s, because the immigrants were a source of cheap labour, and more work was becoming mechanised- resulting the lack of need for labourers. The unemployment rate within new immigrants rose throughout the decade. Older industries were undergoing modernisation. Some industries such as steel, for which there was a boom, benefited from general expansion. However, in others, particularly the raw materials industries- cotton, coal, tin and copper- were suffering. There was an overproduction in these industries, prices dropped and wages fell. From looking at this evidence, it is clear that the prosperity and affluence of the USA in the 1920 was highly apparent. However, it is also clear that it did not reach all areas of society. Therefore, it is justified to say that prosperity during this period was partial- as not everyone was buying cars, radios and other consumer goods. It is vital to remember that during a boom period, it is difficult to spread the wealth of the country evenly- due to the determination for personal gain, not for equality.

SABIC Company Audits Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

SABIC Company Audits - Essay Example Many businesses have succeeded based on their historical perspective. From the case, it is determined that the business has been in operation for the past 39 years (SABIC, 2014). This is life stable enough to determine that it has a status in the economy of Saudi Arabia. Apart from time, the company has historically been supported under the focus of the king of the country. According to Doole & Lowe (2008), history has a strong bearing on the success of a company in the market. This is especially prevalent in societies that are relatively conservative. The Saudi Arabian society is incredibly much of a conservative society and there are norms that determine the consumption patterns in the country. Being largely Muslim, most of the laws and legislation on trade are bound to be based on sharia laws. History of existence in market serves a lot of functions to a company (Peng, 2013). First, the company develops the experience of the market and makes it possible to understanding changing t rends from time to time. SABIC Company deals in a collection of products; chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, and metals. It is a size that determines the market success factors because there is a focus on expansion programmes. The company is owned by the government (70%) and the private individuals (30%). History has therefore helped it to know and understand its customers, the market, the need for expansion and the challenges that it is likely to face when in any other country apart from Saudi Arabia. Historical context has enabled the company to understand its customers, the purchase context, the feelings in the market and strategies that help develop a business from one level to another. The insights to the success of SABIC are based on the achievements from the time it was formed to date. Over time, the company has grown and it is now the largest companies in the specified areas of operation.

The Filipino and the Drunkard Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Filipino and the Drunkard - Essay Example This confirms his passive aggressiveness to actually inflict injury on another person. Though this may be considered as proof that there was conclusive intent on his part to kill the drunkard, the circumstance of his utterance evidences the contrary. There was unlawful aggression on the part of the drunkard but his actions of stabbing, although it is categorically harassment of a grave nature, does not equate to a real life threatening situation which would make self-defense appreciable. It is not a reasonable means in relation to the type of aggression. There was no overt act on the part of the American that manifests he is without a doubt going to hurt or kill the Filipino. He had no deadly weapon except the fact that he was significantly bigger than the boy. Furthermore, one must consider that he was in a state of drunkenness and this is an alternative circumstance since he does not have the full capacity to grasp his actions and the right state of mind. When the drunkard grabbed hold of the boy and was choking him, we must consider that there was also provocation on the part of the Filipino since he first stabbed the man. It was clear from the facts that the Filipino was already overcome with rage and had decided to hurt the drunkard but he did not want to kill him. On a sudden fit of rage he stabbed the man once. If he was able to thrust his knife multiple times while was held compromisingly by the physically larger drunkard, then, on the first attack he would have already done so. This proves that his initial intention was to somehow physically hurt the man. But to reiterate, he was not completely without fault and to fully absolve him of his acts would be

Position Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Position Paper - Essay Example FedEx is currently amongst the top courier service providers of the world and is growing in terms of revenue generation, market share and penetration in new markets. However there are possible chances of slowing the success path of FedEx. As FedEx is too much dependent upon US market so therefore chances of slowing down is possible moreover the current situation of the world is one another reason to add in this regard. Similarly besides these issues the company has very much scope in terms of generating more income by expanding and reaching new markets. One possible opportunity is in the Asian market. As currently many Asian countries are growing. So they rely too much on imports and exports therefore FedEx has a great opportunity in reaching and capturing those markets by using experience and brand name. Another important development in terms of revenue generation is online shopping. If FedEx is likely to hold its growth online shopping should be dealt with utter care. New plans should be formulated, techniques should be devised as online shopping is likely to change shopping trends in most of the developing countries. Different schemes should be launched so that masses can be attracted. Furthermore the role of competitors new and old will always be a threat for FedEx. In most cases new companies have nothing to lose so they usually lower their price in order to gain market share. Therefore FedEx should try to offer competing prices in order to wipe out these companies from challenging FedEx. This can be done with ease as FedEx has enough revenue to hold market and to lower prices as well. The future of FedEx is split between opportunities and threats. Therefore the role of management will be crucial because proper planning can give FedEx billions and one wrong step can lead them towards catastrophic

The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, Only passions, Essay

The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things. Describe one of your passions and - Essay Example I am so fortunate to have found this great passion early on in my life. It has made me a better student, a better listener, more compassionate and has given my life direction and purpose. I can stay focused better, and have a more in depth understanding of the benefits of diligence and dedication. In many ways it has made me a better person. When I am not actively listening to music, I am absorbing as much technical information as I can find pertaining to the history and theory of the particular piece that I am studying. By doing this I can truly get to know a piece. These insights have helped me to better understand nuances I might otherwise have overlooked. Seeing music from various perspectives has also helped me to develop cognitively. Music is so much more than just a series of notes to me. It is an aesthetically complex and multifaceted art form that requires a lifetime of devotion to be fully appreciated. Although I have only studied music for four years, my intense desire has been to consume as much knowledge as I can get my hands on. This has led me to complete several rigorous and demanding advanced music theory courses in an exceptionally short period of time. In challenging myself this way I have become more aware of my full potential. I have never been very proficient at sports like baseball or hockey. Likewise, my older brother used to always beat me when playing video games. These types of activities never inspired me. When I finally found my passion, however, I embraced it with an undivided focus that I never dreamed possible. I am proud of what I've been able to accomplish in such a short period of time, and it's exciting for me to know that this is just the beginning. Beethoven was quoted as saying, "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." For me, it is the revelation of finding my passion in music. Until I found that passion I didn't believe my soul was really capable of being elevated to great things just as Diderot believed. Since then, however, I see promise of a future full of wonderful and amazing things. I can no longer imagine a life without music, where my friends' tastes become my own. Not only do I have my own tastes, but I have a command over music that only one with true passion can possess.

Design a Risk Assessment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Design a Risk Assessment - Assignment Example This risk assessment will therefore be done in order to assess the effect of the expansion plans that was carried out that involved installation of four new wire drawing machines and enlargement of the HCL tank. Even though the company has scheduled risk assessment plans and daily plant machine safety checks, the expansion project falls out of the scope of the scheduled plant assessments that are usually carried out at intervals as the expansion is a new thing in the company hence needing urgent assessment of the risks and how to handle them effectively. The main aim for undertaking this risk assessment is to identify the hazards and risks linked with the expansion work that was done in the wire drawing section and the galvanizing section, analyze the risks and find a solution to them. This assessment to be carried out will be specific in that it will only involve two sections of the plant: wire drawing and GIP section. The hazards in each of the two sections will be identified by four means. The first method of identifying the hazards will be to examine information about the new equipment installed in these two sections (Royer, 2004). The second means will be by consulting the employees and operators who work in these two sections so that they can help identify the potential hazardous situations in their areas of work. The third method will be to determine the potential hazards by examining the work places in the two sections under consideration. The final method will involve brainstorming as a team to help identify and think of the hazards that might be associated with the expansion work. After identifying the hazards, they will be recorded in the Hazard Summary sheet after which risk analysis will be done (Laird & Mccutcheon, 2007). The analysis and assessment done will help in coming up with the ways to counter any hazard that will be identified in the course of this

Hispanic American Diversity Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Hispanic American Diversity - Research Paper Example Among them, the majority are the Hispanics, and because of the increase in their population, they are on the verge of becoming the largest minority group in America, surpassing even the African American population. â€Å"For a country long used to seeing itself as black and white, it will be something of a shock when Hispanics become the nations largest minority group in five years and fully one-quarter of the population by mid-century.† (Robinson). Although Hispanics have a common culture and a common language of Spanish language, they are subdivided into four groups based on their native place’s culture. The four Hispanic groups are Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and Colombian Americans. Among the total population of Hispanics in America, Mexican Americans constitutes the largest group in terms of numbers. Linguistically they speak the common language of Spanish. Having large numbers in various constituencies in many states, the Mexican American group can influence vote swings during elections and also the political policies. Their social life mainly revolves around their immediate as well as extended family. Within the family, the male head will take care of the household expenses, while the female is responsible for all the household duties. They mainly follow the social customs of their native place, during most social occasions and also during religious festivals. All the Mexican Americans are Christian by religion; they are divided into Roman Catholics and Protestants. However, when their economic condition is viewed, it does not show a positive reading. As stated by Gaudette (2006), â€Å"The average household income of Mexican-Americans is 40 percent below t hat of non-Hispanic whites, due largely to lower education levels than nearly all other racial and ethnic groups, a new report shows†. Quite contrastingly to other Hispanic groups, Puerto