Unit 8: Prosperity and Depression Chp. 9-12 Part 1—Post WWI America The Roaring Twenties Unit 8: Prosperity and Depression Chp. 9-12 Part 1—Post WWI America

100 Percent Americanism The end of World War I brought great rejoicing but also many problems. An influenza epidemic from Europe had spread to the U.S., killing more than half a million Americans. Poor Economy—Farms and factories suffered—peacetime demand--Returning soldiers no work. Anti-European sentiments—100 Percent Americanism— attacked foreign/anti-American ideas, products, people…

The Red Scare & Anti-Immigration Americans worried about a new enemy. The Bolshevik Revolution: Rise of the Soviet Union communism, a new social system without economic classes or private property. Soviets called for the overthrow of capitalism—world wide revolution—and an end to religion—atheism Communism in Post WWI America: Americans were opposed to communism Communist parties formed in the U.S.—some called for revolution—Reds Palmer Raids—Justice Dept. went after communist groups after violence and threats of terrorism were uncovered Anti-Immigration Congress set Quotas for immigration based on existing US population (1921 & 1924) Feared radical ideologies (fascism & communism) would enter America with refugees Nativism Movement—belief that American society should be better for native born citizens than for immigrants Re-birth of the Ku Klux Klan Targeted racial, ethnic, political & religious (Jews & Catholics) minorities “Native White Protestant Supremacy” Gained popularity in rural Midwest—1913-1929—Wilson administration

Henry Ford (1863-1947) Michigan machinist and mechanic who worked for Edison Electric— encouraged by Edison to develop his ideas Ford’s vision combined three main ideas. Make cars simple and identical instead of doing highly expensive custom manufacturing Make the process smooth, using interchangeable parts and moving belts. Determine how workers should move, and at what speed, to be the most productive. Ford had to fight in court against trusts & monopolies just to start his company—modern capitalism & free enterprise assembly line—sped up production, allowing for a 40-hour work week By the 1920s Ford made a car every minute, dropping prices so that by 1929 there were about 22 million cars in America. Raised wages and added benefits to treat his workers better—opposed unions Believed that automobiles were too useful for everyone to be limited to the rich

Industry Changes Society Car Effects Demand for steel, rubber, glass, and other car materials soared. Auto repair shops and filling stations sprang up. Motels and restaurants arose to meet travelers’ needs. Landowners who found petroleum on their property became rich. Cities and Suburbs Detroit, Michigan, grew when Ford based his plants there, and other automakers followed. Other midwestern cities, like Akron, Ohio, boomed by making car necessities like rubber and tires. Suburbs, which started thanks to trolley lines, grew with car travel. Tourism Freedom to travel by car produced a new tourism industry. Before the auto boom, Florida attracted mostly the wealthy, but cars brought tourists by the thousands. Buyers snatched up land, causing prices to rise. Some Florida swamps were drained to put up housing.

The New Consumer During the 1920s, an explosion of new products, experiences, and forms of communication stimulated the economy. New Products Electric power in homes led to electric appliances Radio connected the world—by 1929, found in 40% of homes—family activity Passenger airplanes—airline service increased travel speed Creating Demand Persuasive advertising gained a major role in the economy. Advertisers paid for space in publications, and time on radio New Ways to Pay In the early 1900s, borrowing money was rare (houses, pianos, or sewing machines) In the 1920s, installment buying, or paying for an item over time in small payments, became popular—credit By 1930, 90 percent of durable goods were bought on credit. Advertisers told consumers they could “get what they want now” and with small payments they would “barely miss the money.”