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Explore how the automobile revolutionized American life in the 1920s, impacting urban sprawl, mobility, and consumer culture. Learn about the economic and social shifts brought by the rise of the automobile industry.
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STANDARD(S): 11.5 Students analyze the major political, social, economic, technological, and cultural developments of the 1920s. LESSON OBJECTIVES/ GOALS/ SWBAT • Summarize the impact of the automobile and other consumer goods on American life. • Explain how prosperity affected different groups of Americans. • Explain in what ways the country’s prosperity was superficial.
A BULLDOG ALWAYS Commitment Attitude CARES Respect Encouragement Safety
SECTION 3 The Business of America American Industries Flourish Coolidge’s Economic Policy • Calvin Coolidge favors minimal government interference in business - allow private enterprise to flourish Continued . . . NEXT
SECTION 3: THE BUSINESS OF AMERICA The new president, Calvin Coolidge, fit the pro-business spirit of the 1920s very well His famous quote: “The chief business of the American people is business . . .the man who builds a factory builds a temple – the man who works there worships there” President Calvin Coolidge 1924-1928
AMERICAN BUSINESS FLOURISHES Both Coolidge and his Republican successor Herbert Hoover, favored governmental policies that kept taxes down and business profits up Tariffs were high which helped American manufacturers Government interference in business was minimal Wages were increasing
SECTION 3 The Business of America American Industries Flourish • The Impact of the Automobile • Cars change life—paved roads, gas stations, motels, shopping centers • Give mobility to rural families, women, young people • Workers live far from jobs, leads to urban sprawl (spread of cities) • Auto industry economic base for some cities, boosts oil industry • By late 1920s, 1 car for every 5 Americans Continued . . . NEXT
IMPACT OF THE AUTO Among the many changes were: Paved roads, traffic lights Motels, billboards Home design Gas stations, repair shops Shopping centers Freedom for rural families Independence for women and young people Cities like Detroit, Flint, Akron grew By 1920 80% of world’s vehicles in U.S.
THE IMPACT OF THE AUTO The auto was the backbone of the American economy from 1920 through the 1970s It also profoundly altered the American landscape and society The Ford Model T was the first car in America. It came only in black and sold for $290. Over 15 million were sold by 1927.
Chapter 12 Section 3 A – What was the impact of the automobile? Roads were paved and shopping centers and other services for cars were built’ People commuted to work, and urban sprawl developed; Regional differences diminished
B – How did the widespread use of the automobile affect the environment and the lives of Americans? It changed the American landscape through construction of paved roads. It liberated the isolated rural family. And it allowed workers to live miles away from their jobs.
SECTION 3 continuedAmerican Industries Flourish • The Young Airplane Industry • Airplane industry starts as mail service for U.S. Post Office • Weather forecasting begins; planes carry radios, navigation tools • Lockheed Company produces popular transport plane of late 1920s • 1927, Pan American Airways inaugurates transatlantic flights NEXT
AIRLINE TRANSPORT BECOMES COMMON The airline industry began as a mail carrying service and quickly “took off” By 1927, Pan American Airways was making the transatlantic passenger flights When commercial flights began, all flight attendants were female and white
SECTION 3 America’s Standard of Living Soars • Incomes Grow • Average annual income rises over 35%, from $522 to $705 Continued . . . NEXT
AMERICAN STANDARD OF LIVING SOARS The years 1920-1929 were prosperous ones for the U.S. Americans owned 40% of the world’s wealth The average annual income rose 35% during the 1920s ($522 to $705) Discretionary income increased
SECTION 3 America’s Standard of Living Soars • Electrical Conveniences • Factories use electricity to run machines • Development of alternating current gives electricity to suburbs • By end of 1920s, more homes begin to have electrical appliances • Appliances make housework easier, free women for other activities • Appliances coincide with trend of women working outside home Continued . . . NEXT
ELECTRICAL CONVENIENCES While gasoline powered much of the economic boom of the 1920s, the use of electricity also transformed the nation Electric refrigerators, stoves, irons, toasters, vacuums, washing machines and sewing machines were all new
C – How did the use of electricity affect Americans’ lifestyle? It transformed the nation. Factories used electricity to run their machines. Electricity could now be transmitted to the countryside. Well-to-do families had electric refrigeration, cooking ranges, and toasters.
SECTION 3 continuedAmerica’s Standard of Living Soars • The Dawn of Modern Advertising • Advertising agencies hire psychologists to learn to appeal to public • Make brand names familiar nationwide; push luxuries as necessities • Businesspeople work with service groups • - promote selves as benefactors of society NEXT
MODERN ADVERTISING EMERGES Ad agencies no longer sought to merely “inform” the public about their products They hired psychologists to study how best to appeal to Americans’ desire for youthfulness, beauty, health and wealth
MODERN ADVERTISING EMERGES “Say it with Flowers” slogan actually doubled sales between 1912-1924
SECTION 3 A Superficial Prosperity • Producing Great Quantities of Goods • Most Americans believe prosperity will last forever • Productivity increasing, businesses expanding • Mergers in auto industry, steel, electrical equipment, utilities • Chain stores develop; national banks allowed to create branches • Income gap between workers, managers grows • Iron, railroad industries not prosperous; farms suffer losses Continued . . . NEXT
A SUPERFICIAL PROSPERITY Many during the 1920s believed the prosperity would go on forever Wages, production, GNP, and the stock market all rose significantly But. . . .
SECTION 3 continuedA Superficial Prosperity • Buying Goods on Credit • • Installment plan—pay for goods over extended period with interest • Banks provide money at low interest rates • Some economists, business owners think installment buying excessive • Think is sign of fundamental weakness behind superficial prosperity NEXT
PROBLEMS ON THE HORIZON? Businesses expanded recklessly Iron & railroad industries faded Farms nationwide suffered losses due to overproduction Too much was bought on credit (installment plans) including stocks
D – What were the main advantages and disadvantages of buying on credit? Advantage: people could buy goods they could not otherwise afford. Disadvantage: People could go far into debt without realizing it.
E – How do you think the changes in spending will affect the economy? The economy may falter when consumers are unable to meet their credit obligations.
