20.2 The Politics of 20.2 The Politics of NormalcyNormalcy

The Roaring Twenties

Election of 1920Election of 1920Dem. James Cox &

Franklin Roosevelt--------------------------------------------------------------

ProgressivesProgressives

For League of For League of NationsNations

For Labor & Govt. For Labor & Govt. regulationregulation

Rep. Warren Harding & Calvin Coolidge

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Less Govt. SpendingLess Govt. Spending

Corporate tax cutsCorporate tax cuts

Increased TariffsIncreased Tariffs“Republican Formula”

A Return to NormalcyA Return to Normalcy

Warren G. Harding Wins!

Republican Control in the Republican Control in the 20s20s

Pro-Business / Anti-Labor Pro-Business / Anti-Labor

American Plan = Employers paid workers American Plan = Employers paid workers more and gave benefits to break unions more and gave benefits to break unions

Return to Laissez-Faire CapitalismReturn to Laissez-Faire CapitalismBusiness boomed but not all benefitedBusiness boomed but not all benefited

Reduction of National Debt Reduction of National Debt

President Harding President Harding 1921-231921-23Good Man, bad friendsGood Man, bad friends

Corruption & ScandalsCorruption & ScandalsTeapot Dome Teapot Dome

ScandalScandal

Died of Heart Attack in Died of Heart Attack in 19231923

President Coolidge 1923-President Coolidge 1923-2929

““Silent Cal”Silent Cal”

Popular but inactivePopular but inactive

Won in 1924 due to 3 Won in 1924 due to 3 way split in way split in Democratic Party.Democratic Party.

““The business of The business of America is business”America is business”

Business ProsperityHigher wages + New Consumer Goods!Higher wages + New Consumer Goods!Prosperity = Expansion of EducationProsperity = Expansion of EducationOil & Electric fuels revolutionize lifeOil & Electric fuels revolutionize life

Auto Industry was key!Henry Ford’s assembly line makes

automobiles more affordable and accessible

Impact of the Automobile26.5 million autos registered by 193026.5 million autos registered by 1930

Replaced railroad industry as key Replaced railroad industry as key promoter of economic growthpromoter of economic growth

All other industries depended on All other industries depended on automobile sales.automobile sales.

Affected everything Americans doAffected everything Americans do

Advertising & CreditAd-men learned to manipulate people Ad-men learned to manipulate people

into buying unnecessary products.into buying unnecessary products.

Ads focused on happiness, hygiene, Ads focused on happiness, hygiene, and popularity and popularity

Many began buying on creditMany began buying on credit

This created a fragile economyThis created a fragile economy