Chapter 13 The Roaring Life of the 1920s

Henry Ford revolutionized American industry with his assembly line form of production.

Flywheel assembly line at a Ford plant. Ford paid $5 per 8 hour day; others paid $2.34 per 9 hour day

Model T assembly line

During 1920s, the U.S. experienced an economic boom that included a substantial increase in the Nation’s manufacturing output, especially in the consumer goods industries. During the 1920s, the U.S. experienced an economic boom largely because technological innovations appeared quickly and European competition did not challenge American industry.

Many industries of the 1920s improved the efficiency of production by adopting mass- production methods that lowered their costs. Under the terms of the proposed McNary- Haugen bill, the government would have helped the farmers to achieve parity by maintaining high tariffs against foreign competition and buying surplus crops for sale abroad.

Ways to spend your time and money during the 1920s. Remember, it was a time of fun and frivolity

You might have hoped that Lindbergh would be the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic without stopping

Or, cheered and cried when he landed in Paris on May 21, 1927

For the sports fan, you could use that brand new thing called a radio to listen to the exploits of your favorite athletes

Even today, the name Babe Ruth is legendary in sports circles. A massive home run is still called a “Ruthian Shot.”

Gene Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey in one of the greatest fights ever.

Red Grange Lou Gehrig

For people interested in the law, there was always something going on. The “trial of the century” for the decade of the Twenties was the “Scopes Monkey Trial” Bootlegging was everywhere. Al Capone was probably the most famous criminal of the Twenties

John Scopes

Al Capone

Finally, for the moviegoer, no one was more popular than Rudolph Valentino or Mae West

The most important communications vehicle in the New Era, and the only one truly new to the 1920s, was commercial radio. The traditional backlash against the modern, secular culture of the New Era resulted in:  1. Prohibition – created a disrespect for the law  2. Defending “traditional values”  3. Nativism  4. Religious fundamentalism

As President, Warren Harding had the following weaknesses:  1. His inability to grasp the responsibility of his office.  2. His personal fondness for gambling, alcohol, and women.  3. His loyalty to party hacks who had helped him to become President.  4. His lack of self-confidence at handling Presidential responsibilities.

Warren G. Harding

Coolidge and Harding had similarities:  1. Both were Republicans  2. Generally passive in their approach to the office of the President.  3. They had risen to the presidency on the basis of few accomplishments.  4. They were largely inactive when it came to introducing legislation.

As President, Calvin Coolidge was a puritanical individual who believed the government should not interfere with the life of the nation. Herbert Hoover’s presidency saw the demise of the New Era, because less than one year after being inaugurated the U.S. entered its longest and most severe economic crisis.