The years between the end of World War I and the start of World War II were among the most turbulent and transformative in American history. The 1920s, known as the “Roaring Twenties,” were marked by explosive economic growth, cultural innovation and profound social change. Yet beneath this glittering surface lay tensions and inequalities that exploded with the Wall Street Crash of 1929, plunging the nation into the Great Depression. This became a decade of economic hardship, mass unemployment and political upheaval.

For A-Level history students, understanding this period means exploring how prosperity and crisis shaped modern America’s social fabric, government policies and global role.

FAQs: America’s Journey from Prosperity to Crisis, 1920-1940

What was the Roaring Twenties?

A decade of economic prosperity, cultural innovation and social change, marked by jazz music, flapper fashion, new technologies and a booming stock market.

Why did the prosperity of the 1920s end?

Over-speculation in the stock market, uneven wealth distribution, agricultural struggles and risky banking practices set the stage for collapse.

What triggered the Great Depression?

The 1929 stock market crash was the immediate catalyst, but underlying economic weaknesses deepened the crisis throughout the 1930s.

How did the Great Depression affect everyday America?

Millions lost jobs, savings and homes, leading to widespread poverty, migration and reliance on government relief schemes.

What was done to address the crisis?

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal introduced public works projects, financial reforms and social schemes aimed at economic recovery and preventing future depressions.