1. Topic 6D – Back to Normalcy

2. Normalcy
The idea of returning back to the way of life before World War I.
Most Americans were tired
Radical unions
Radical ideals
Socialism/Communism/ Anarchism
Wanted to return back to life before World War I

3. Business Glorified Business was elevated to the status of religion.
“The man who builds a factory builds a temple – the man who works there worships there.” – President Coolidge
World War I expanded business and brought about an economic boom.

4. New Industries The Automobile New Mergers Sales becomes popular
Ford Motor Company (!)
The Assembly Line
Expanded existing industries
Steel, rubber, gasoline, machine tools, road building.
New Mergers
Created oligopolies (all-ig-op-olies)
When a small number of business dominate an industry
Sales becomes popular
Build a car every 10 minutes.

6. Scientific Management
Workplace efficiency
Reorganizing rooms and tasks to be the most productive
Increases manufacturing dramatically, tons of new goods to sell
Charlie Chaplin Modern Times

7. Into the 1920s
Imperialism leads to America entering the world stage as a major power.
The results of this power drags the U.S. into World War I.
Success in the war and the turmoil that followed led to a desire for normalcy, not change.
The end of the Progressive Movement signaled the rise of business.
The rise of business and the booming economy of the 1920s led to dramatic changes for American life.
The changes would be bring about great progress, and great destruction.

8. Timeline/Review Imperialism World War I Problems at Home Normalcy
America wants to expand its influence due to business and ideological reasons
World War I
American power is valued by the world, it eventually drags them into World War I on the side of Britain and their allies.
Problems at Home
Extreme radicalism
The Red Scare
The Palmer Raids
Racial Unrest
Normalcy
Returning to pre-war status
The rise of business
The improving economy
Improvement of business strategy