1. Political & Economic Trends of the 1920’s

2. A Decade of Political and Econ. Backlash
Wilson elected as less progressive in 1912
Progressivism continued w/….
Economic incentives to get involved in the war
What is likely to happen in the subsequent decade with so many Americans disillusioned?

3. 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

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

5. 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

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

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

8. After the failure of the Treaty of Versailles
What were some of the consequences that Senators predicted for taking an isolationist stance?
After the failure of the Treaty of Versailles

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

10. 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

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

12. More Available & Affordable
“Consumer Durable Goods”

13. 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

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

15. New Chain Stores Increase Standardization & Consumerism

16. Though consumerism took hold, employment opportunities were
less predictable than during wartime.
Tulsa Race Riots
Racial strife stemmed from decline in economy, increase
in unemployment after war and shifting demographics.

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

18. 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…

19. 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?