|
（英会話リスニングスクリプト）
In the first three decades of the 20th century,
the United States of America established itself as the most
powerful nation in the world.
It experienced a huge growth in population,
industry and wealth, but this boom was not without its problems.
Between 1900 and 1920, over 14 million Europeans
emigrated to America believing they would have a better
life.
Most recent immigrants lived with people
of their own race or nationality in poor city districts
called ghettos.
During this period, some white people in
the southern states reacted against these immigrants and
violently attacked blacks, Catholics and Jews.
This organization, known as the Ku Klux
Klan became more powerful than the law in many regions.
The 1920s were known as the Jazz Age, because
of the new music and dances, which became popular.
In 1920, the government forbade the drinking
of alcohol, believing it would lead to less crime.
In fact, it resulted in more crime with
criminals, known as gangsters, making a lot of money by
buying and selling alcohol.
Industrial and economic growth continued
in the 1920s and the dollar became the strongest currency
in the world.
However, all this changed in 1929 when America's
stock market collapsed and the country went into depression.
|
