1. Political & Economic Trends of the 1920’s

2. The Conservative Political Mood of the 1920’s
Harding’s “Return to Normalcy” triumphs
after WWI
End of Progressive Era & return of laissez-faire
Nativism & Isolationism
Predominant among
Democrats and Republicans

3. Presidents of the 20’s “Old Guard” Republicans Dominate
Harding, Coolidge & Hoover

4. Largely a “Do-Nothing” Figurehead Rampant Cronyism Returns
Warren G. Harding ( )
Largely a “Do-Nothing” Figurehead
Rampant Cronyism Returns
Ex: “Ohio Gang” & Teapot Dome Scandal

5. Anti-Union & pro corporation former
Calvin Coolidge
Anti-Union & pro corporation former
Mass. Gov.
Becomes President
Famous slogan:
“The Business of
America is
Business”

6. Herbert Hoover ( )
“Great Engineer” supports “Rugged Individualism”
Compelling personal story of hard work & volunteerism
Biggest Mistake…Bad Timing

7. Ex: Kellogg-Briand Pact
20’s U.S. Foreign Policy: Idealistic Isolationism
Ex: Kellogg-Briand Pact

8. II. 1920’s Economic Trends Andrew Mellon’s Policies Sect. Of Treasury
( )
Cut Corporate Taxes
Cut Income Taxes
Cut Inheritance Taxes
Collect WWI Debt
Raise Tariffs
“Streamline” Regulation
Results: Manufacturing Booms & Ag sector struggles

9. Ex: Henry Ford A New “Industrial Revolution”
Increased Efficiency due to
Standardization
&
Mass Production of
“Consumer Durables” drive the boom
Ex:
Henry
Ford

10. More Available & Affordable
“Consumer Durable Goods”

11. increasingly breaks from more modern & efficient
20’s Corporate Growth
Coolidge calls factories “temples” and workers “worshipers” – Respect for corporations at a high
Trends
“Consolidation”
of major corporations
(ex: GE, RCA, DuPont)
Ownership
increasingly breaks from
management –
more modern & efficient
Growth of “white
collar” sector, wages go up, weekends off, pensions and health insurance available to some – to avoid gov’t involvement

12. Easy Credit & Professional Ads
Spur 1920’s Boom

13. New Chain Stores Increase Standardization & Consumerism

14. How does Prohibition illustrate unintended political and
social consequences of relatively radical progressivism?

15. Leads to social tension
New technologies
& economic boom
encourage a
faster pace of change
that clashes with
traditional values.
Not all like the
changes of 1920’s
Leads to social tension
between old & new
HOMEWORK…

16. Why would the younger generations (18-25 year olds)
Watch Parts 2 & 3 of Boom & Bust
[linked at my website]
Why would the younger generations (18-25 year olds)
be more likely to feel optimistic as they experience the
social and economic changes occurring?