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Vice-President under Harding; assumed presidency when Harding died in 1923
Elected president in 1924
One of three Republican presidents of 1920sall supported big business and an end to progressive reforms
Born in Vermont on a family farm (5 generations); attended one-room schoolhouse
Nickname “Silent Cal”

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Dry personality; did not have the personal warmth that Harding had
(Americans loved that about Harding)
However, carried out the policies of
Harding
Had a great reputation for complete honesty-erased any damage on presidency from scandals of Harding administration

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Both rejected programs to help ordinary citizens (rejection of progressive ideals)
◦ When victims of a Mississippi River flood appealed to gov. for help – Coolidge said, “The gov. is not an insurer of its citizens against the hazards of the elements”
◦ This flood happened near New Orleans, 100,000 needed to take refugee in other areas…Herbert
Hoover said it was the “worst flood” in US history

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Harding and Coolidge administrations gave big business a boost in 3 ways:
◦ A. Appointed businesspeople to commissions that were supposed to regulate business (these people were opposed to gov. regulation and overlooked violations to anti-trust laws)
◦ B. Selected Supreme Court justices who ruled against progressive legislation (5 appointments to
Supreme Court)…12 progressive laws found unconstitutional
◦ C. Named conservatives to powerful cabinet positions (wealthy business leaders used this power to protect their interests) ex: Andrew Mellon

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Imagine if the government would have said what Coolidge said about the
Mississippi flood about the damage from Katrina?????
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Should government help citizens after natural disasters?

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Expanded Commerce Dept- control and regulate airlines, radio, & other new industries
Organized trade associations (groups of firms in the same line of business) to minimize price competition
Pushed Bureau of Standards to standardize everything manufactured in the nation (nuts and bolts to tires, mattresses, electrical fixtures)
Supported 8-hr. workdays in major industries, improved nutrition for children, & conservation of natural resources-pushed through Pollution
Act of 1924- first effort to control coastline oil pollution

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US wanted to stay clear of Europe’s power struggles, so they attempted to destroy the weapons of war
1921: Washington Naval Conference: 9 nations met (including US) to discuss disarmament (the act or policy of reducing or destroying military weapons)
Became 1 st successful disarmament conference in modern times – focused mainly on limiting battleships (5:5:3 – GB, US, JPN,
ITLY, FR)

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How many pairs of shoes/sneakers do you have?
Do you have an iphone or android?
Do you have computer at home? How many?
TV? How many?
Do you go on vacation each year? Every other year?
Do you have a shore house?
Do you go to concerts? How often?
Sporting events? How often?
Movies? How often?
Out to dinner? How often?
Do you have to work to obtain your “requested items?” Do you get allowance?
Do you have a car? How many cars does your family have?

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The material well-being of the individuals or groups in a society
◦ Necessities and luxuries an individual or group enjoys
◦ Americans had a higher standard of living to those overseas
Between 1923-1929, Americans saw real income increase 11% (had more money than just to live on, could buy goods they produced at work)
Part of a growing middle class

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Refrigeration-fresh fruits and vegetables (yr round)
Improved packaging-sliced bread and others
Ready-made clothes (replaced home-sewn or tailored garments)
Electric irons, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, toasters, fans, refrigerators
(allowed for more leisure time – less time needed for house work) – now we listened to radio and phonographs & spoke on the phone

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During the 1920s new tractors allowed farmers to produce their crops more efficiently, but prices for farm products fell because the supply far outstripped demand. Coal miners and textile workers, too, found their standard of living falling in the 1920s when their products were no longer needed in great quantities.

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Thus we can generalize that American workers who suffered economically during the 1920s tended to work in fields where production grew faster than demand (agriculture), or where demand had suddenly dropped
(mining and textiles)

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Answer: Chain stores were able to cut costs by purchasing in greater volume and by instituting greater efficiency than traditional corner stores could. For example, Woolworth needed just 36 buyers to stock its 1500 stores. On the other hand, if each store were individually owned, every store would need a buyer.

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During the 1920s advertisers increasingly turned their attention to youthful buyers.
Because young people were eager consumers who changed their styles often, they promoted a rapid turnover of clothing and accessories. This led to business growth and the expansion of certain industries, promoting the general prosperity of the
1920s.

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Nation had a growing fascination with youth during the 1920s
Advertisers used this to sell products
Never before had Americans idolized young people as they did during the 1920s
Destruction of so many young men in WWI made youth really important
Adults tried to act like children
Youth became models for fashion, dress, music and language
Fads spread from college campuses

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Fads- a sudden, short-lived enthusiasm for a style, product, idea, or activity
Fads that swept the country in the 1920s included crossword puzzles, roller-skating, and an ancient Chinese game called
“mahjongg.” Most fads were harmless, but one fad, marathon dancing, caused serious problems. In these dance contests, couples danced for days and even weeks, taking 15minute breaks after every hour.

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Dancers sometimes kicked or punched their partners to keep them awake. A few dancers died from heart failure.

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Does this decade idolize youth and the culture of the young? Explain your answer.
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What are some fads that exist today? What about ones that you can remember from different times in your life.

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Consider the differences in values between a culture that centers on youth and one that respects/admires the aged (adults). In each column, place words to describe what each culture might value (important).
Youth Aged (Adults)