Liberalism: Power, Economic Crisis, Reform, War 115leaders, working with their colleagues in politics and the courts, gained more
control over America’s economic and social activities and eliminated those
who would compete for their riches. The country even became a global
power to be reckoned with by joining a world war, which made the U.S. an
international creditor and, thus, economic power. Twentieth-Century liberal-
ism had brought with it conflict, reform, global involvement, and ever-grow-
ing wealth. As the 1920s approached, capitalism was ready to expand into
even more areas and gain greater influence, until things fell apart in 1929.