Question

question 4 of 10

which statement best describes the effect of mass production on american workers during the 1920s?

a. there was little to no effect of mass production on american workers.
b. more skilled workers were needed to work in factories on the new machinery.
c. more workers were needed to work in the factories to create the products.
d. fewer workers were needed to work in the factories because machinery was doing the work.

Explanation:

Analyze the impact of mass production

Using the Mass Production and Assembly Line knowledge points

• Mass production techniques, such as Henry Ford's moving assembly line, revolutionized manufacturing in the 1920s.
• By breaking down complex manufacturing tasks into simple, repetitive steps, machinery and specialized assembly setups performed much of the heavy or highly skilled labor.
• This shift significantly reduced the demand for highly skilled traditional craftsmen, as factories could now utilize unskilled or semi-skilled laborers to oversee the machinery.

Evaluate the given options

Using the 1920s Automobile Industry knowledge point

• Option A is incorrect because mass production profoundly transformed the nature of work, wages, and daily life for American workers.
• Option B is incorrect because the assembly line deskilled labor, meaning fewer highly skilled traditional craftsmen were required.
• Option C is incorrect because the dramatic increase in efficiency meant that fewer workers were needed to produce the same volume of goods, even as overall industry expanded.
• Option D is correct because the introduction of specialized machinery and assembly line automation allowed factories to produce goods with fewer worker-hours, as machines performed tasks previously done by hand.

Answer:

• (A) There was little to no effect of mass production on American workers.
• (B) More skilled workers were needed to work in factories on the new machinery.
• (C) More workers were needed to work in the factories to create the products.
• (D) Fewer workers were needed to work in the factories because machinery was doing the work. (Correct answer)