Unit 4: Prosperity, Depression, and the New Deal Content Statement 18 Notes

Harding Struggles For Peace Former Ohio Senator Poor judgment Discord among major world powers and his own cabinet would test his politics and his character

Harding Presidency Teapot Dome Scandal - the government’s secret leasing of oil-rich public land to private companies in return for money and land Ohio Gang - the president’s poker-playing cronies, who would soon cause problems for Harding

The Ohio Gang

Technological innovations in communication Commercial radio broadcasts Talking motion pictures Wider circulation of newspaper and magazines All of these influenced and expanded popular culture and mass advertising

KDKA RADIO PITTSBURG, PA

Talking vs. silent films Click pictures to watch video clips

Impact of the automobile The automobile changed the American landscape Add paved road New towns developing along roads Gas stations, repair shops, public garages, motels, tourist camps, and shopping centers were added along routes

National Road (Route 40)

Impact of the automobile Automobile liberated rural families, who could now travel to the city Gave opportunity for families to vacation Provided a chance for young people to become more independent Automobile became a status symbol 80% of all registered motor vehicles in the world were in the United States The airplane was another form of transportation which grew during the 1920s

Negative impacts of the automobile Traffic congestion Challenged traditional family values Teenagers used automobiles to exercise freedom from parental control

Growth of suburbs With the mass production of the automobile many people moved to suburbs Suburbs – an outlying part of a city or town People could commute to jobs inside major cities

Improved standard of living From 1920-1929 Americans owned 40% of the world’s wealth Electrical appliances made home life easier Advertising agencies started using psychologists to study how to appeal to people’s desires 1900 1920 Wringer and Washboard: $5 Brooms and Brushes: $5 Sewing machine: $25 Washing Machine: $150 Vacuum cleaner: $50 Sewing machine: $60

A superficial prosperity Installment Plan - an arrangement in which a purchaser pays over an extended time, without having to put down much money at the time of purchase Banks provided the money at low interest rates Economists were worried about what installment plans will bring in the future