Describe the most important events during the period, 1900-1940. Explain why the events you have chosen are the most important.
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The period between 1900 and 1940 was one of the most important periods in the history of the modern world, and the US in particular, and there have occurred several vital events during this period. In view of the specific case of the USA, there have been various important events during this period that influenced the growth of the nation for the following years and some of the most essential events and issues during 1900-1940 include Women’s Suffrage, Economic Prosperity during 1919-29, the World War I, the Great Depression in the decade preceding World War II, the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, Anti-Trust Legislation etc. Three of the most indispensable events in the US history during the period between 1900 and 1940 are undoubtedly Women’s Suffrage, the Great Depression, and the Fair Labor Standards Act, as these have influenced the various aspects of the life and development in the US during this period. Significantly, Women’s Suffrage in the United States was a gradual achievement through the 19th Century and early 20th Century which culminated in 1920 with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution which maintained that the right of citizens of the nation to vote shall not be denied or abridged in view of sex. The Great Depression, the severe worldwide economic depression in the decade prior to the World War II, originated in the US, caused by the stock market crash known as Black Tuesday, and it is one of the most damaging and deepest depressions in the history of modern man. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, also called the Wages and Hours Bill, is another crucial event during the period and this established a national minimum wage and time and a half for overtime in certain jobs. “The main objective of the act was to eliminate ‘labor conditions detrimental to the maintenance of the minimum standards of living necessary for health, efficiency and well-being of workers’… The Fair Labor Standards Act also prohibited child labor in all industries engaged in producing goods in inter-state commerce. The act set the minimum age at 14 for employment outside of school hours in non-manufacturing jobs, at 16 for employment during school hours, and 18 for hazardous occupations.” (Fair Labor Standards Act). Therefore, Women’s Suffrage, the Great Depression, and the Fair Labor Standards Act are three of the most crucial events in the US history during the period between 1900 and 1940 and the effect of these events is evident even the contemporary years.
One of the most essential events in the US history during the period between 1900 and 1940 is of course Women’s Suffrage which was implemented in 1920 with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution and accordingly the right of citizens of the nation to vote will not be denied or abridged in view of sex. “The Nineteenth Amendment further points to the link between the Progressive era and direct democracy.” (Vile, 2006, p 207). Women’s Suffrage in the US has given rise to many important developments in the US history and it contributed to the modern women’s movement which aims at the liberation of women in every aspect of life. “After gaining the right to vote in1920, women engaged in little independent political activity until 1960s… Feminism gained additional impetus from young women who entered politics to support the civil rights movement or to oppose the Vietnam War.” (Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt, 2008, p 161). Therefore, Women’s Suffrage in the United States was a crucial event during the period 1900-1940 as it had various effects on the socio-political development of the nation.
The Great Depression, which originated in the US, has been one of the most important events in the decade prior to the World War II and it was mostly damaging to the US economy, though it had devastating effects in almost every country of the world. It affected almost every aspect of the growth of the nation and its economy and unemployment was everywhere in the nation. “The worst economic disaster in American history, the Great Depression of the 1930s affected almost all aspects of life in the United States.” (Carroll, 2003, p 195). Therefore, the devastating effects of the Great Depression on every aspect of life in the US are indubitable and it is one of the most essential events during the period 1900-1940.