1. Warm-ups In 1925, a high school biology teacher from Tennessee named John Scopes was put on trial for teaching evolution to his students. Why do you think Scope’s behavior so shocked the residents of Tennessee? Can you imagine such a thing happening today in the U.S.? Explain.

2. Warm-ups In the 1920’s, mass media started to emerge in the form of radio, movies with sound (called “talkies”), and sporting events like baseball. Imagine that after years of watching silent films, you see your first talkie. Write a letter to a friend describing the experience.

3. 1920’s Economics & Politics

4. Coolidge President Harding died of heart-attack Coolidge finished Harding’s election Ran for the next term (1924) and won

5. Laissez Faire Economics

6. Laissez-Faire Economics “ Chief business of American people is business” Fueled economic boom of 1920’s Wouldn’t even assist flood victims –He said that government had no duty to protect citizens “against the hazards of the elements” –Drew criticism from those who saw it as a failure to take action

7. Kellogg-Briand Pact Coolidge wanted peace and stability without getting involved in international affairs Allowed Secretary of State, Frank B. Kellogg, to make all foreign- policy decisions Made pact with 15 nations – pledged not to use the threat of war in their dealings with one another

9. Election of 1928 Coolidge “I do not choose to run for President in 1928” Republican: Herbert Hoover (Protestant/against prohibition) Democrat: Alfred E. Smith (Catholic/supported prohibition) Hoover wins by 6 million votes

10. Consumer Economy 1914-1926: Wages rose over 28% # of millionaires doubled Economy depended on large amounts of spending Increased Spending Increased Wages Increased Profits

11. Consumer Economy Traditionally = only bought what they needed What sparked increased purchasing –Higher wages, clever ads, new products, lower costs, and availability of credit

12. Consumer Economy Buying on Credit –needed to make new expensive, large products easier to buy –Need/want for modern convenience – Advertising Electric Power: all new technologies required electricity –Rise from 16% to 63% –Increase in availability; Still not in the country

13. Consumer Economy Advertising: created because producers faced real competition mass-media advertising Productivity: rise in GNP (Gross National Product) –Value of goods and services a country produces

14. Ford & the Automobile 1 st made in Germany (1880’s) 1892-1920: 8 million 1920’s: 15 million Increase production/purchasing due to Ford’s efficient use of the assembly line Assembly line reduced costs and allowed price to drop Vertical consolidation: owned all phases of production

15. Gas Stations appear in 1913 Auto industry spurred many other industries

16. Industrial Growth Automobile created new industries and jobs –Oil, Rubber, Glass, Steel, and Leather –Gas stations, garages, motels “motor hotels,” car dealerships, campgrounds and restaurants

17. Bypassed by Boom Most Americans enjoyed prosperity Unskilled laborers, African Americans and immigrants remained poor –Wages and working conditions did not change –Farmers lost foreign markets after WWI –During good times farmers bought on credit many couldn’t pay back loans