prosperity is a situation in which someone is successful, usually by earning a lot of money

'boom years' are a period of time when businesses are doing well and wages are rising

unfair treatment of someone because of their gender, race, sexual orientation, age, disability or religion is described as discrimination

American people and the 'boom' in the 1920s

History

In this unit, pupils learnt about the economy prosperity of the USA in the 1920s, as well as how different groups of people were treated during this period. In 'USA bust years: how did the Great Depression affect the American people?', pupils will understand the causes of the economic downturn of the 1930s and its impact.

In 'Migration: what caused westward migration from the 16th to the 18th centuries?', pupils learnt how the British Empire spread due to a desire for new trade networks, resulting in Britain exporting its cultural identity overseas. In this unit, pupils will learn about the economy prosperity of the USA in the 1920s, as well as how different groups of people were treated during this period.

In this unit, pupils begin their study of the USA by learning about the 'boom years' of the 1920s. They examine the economic boom itself, alongside social issues concerning racial tension, the Red Scare, and women's position in society.

USA boom years: how did the 'boom' affect the American people?

period when businesses are doing well and wages are rising

unfair treatment of someone because of their sex, race or religion

when someone is successful, usually by earning a lot of money

Match each keyword with its correct definition.

How much did average wages rise by in the USA during the 1920s?

Write the missing word. {{}} stars were able to become very wealthy from their films.

guarantees of high-paying jobs in the North

equal treatment of African Americans in the North

Which of the following reasons encouraged many African Americans to leave the South during the 1920s?

most female professionals worked as doctors, dentists and accountants

most women worked in low-skilled, low-paying jobs

women were not hired to work in high-paying jobs

Which of the following statements about 1920s America are accurate?

unemployment fell from over 5% to just over 3%

radio ownership increased by over 150 times 

Hollywood stars like Clara Bow were paid $1600 per week

Which example best demonstrates that many Americans could afford more consumer goods between 1920 and 1929?

Write the missing word. A {{}} was a young woman who followed new fashion trends and acted independently.

What happened to female employment between 1920 and 1929?

Write the missing word. The elected group of politicians who make laws for the USA are referred to as ...

flappers often dressed in knee-length skirts

women started careers in new areas like sales

Which examples show that some women gained greater social freedoms during the 1920s?

Becomes illegal to prevent someone from voting solely because of their race

Becomes illegal to prevent someone from voting solely because of their sex

Congress approves funding for childcare for the first time

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

American people and the 'boom' in the 1920s

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.