Making sense of this crazy world · historymadeeasier

Capitalism in 1920s America: the dark side

August 24, 2025·20 min·2 clips

In 1928, at the height of the economic boom, 42% of Americans lived below the poverty line, unable to afford basic food and housing.

This episode examines the dark side of 1920s American capitalism, revealing that despite the era's economic boom, 42% of Americans lived below the poverty line. The host details how agricultural overproduction, industrial decline, and systemic inequality created widespread hardship for farmers, industrial workers, African Americans, and immigrants, drawing parallels to modern economic divisions.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Making sense of this crazy world