Bell ringer If you could afford anything- what type of car/vehicle would you want?

THE BUSINESS OF AMERICA Section 3

The new president, Calvin Coolidge said… “The chief business of the American people is business”

The AUTOMOBILE changed the American landscape….

New roads were built. New businesses sprang up like gas stations, repair shops, public garages, motels, tourist camps & shopping centers.

Cities in Ohio & Michigan grew as major centers of automobile manufacturing.

States that produced OIL such as California & Texas also prospered.

The automobile also became a status symbol. Everyone wanted to have one. 1920 ROLLS-ROYCE By the late 1920’s, about 80% of all the cars in the world were in the U.S.

URBAN SPRAWL (Cities spread out in all directions) Cars ended isolation of rural families & gave young people & women more independence. Cars also made it possible for people to live farther from their jobs.

The airline industry also grew. Planes carried the nation’s mail. Passenger service began.

AMERICA’S STANDARD OF LIVING SOARS!!! How did the American household change?

Spread of ELECTRICITY caused a major change. In the 1920’s, electric power stretched beyond big cities to the suburbs.

Americans began to use all kinds of electrical appliances…. Radios, washing machines, & vacuum cleaners became popular. These appliances made housework easier.

Resulted in more leisure time for families and….

Increase in the number of women working outside the home. Nursing in the 1920’s Increase in the number of women working outside the home.

More consumer goods appeared on the market. Businesses used advertising to sell goods. They used Psychology…tried to use people’s desire for youth, beauty, & popularity to sell products.