The 1920s

1
An introduction to.
The 1920s
2
The War is Over- What Now?

• Major Question- Would America pick up right where
  we left off before WWI?
• We are a major world power, right? What does that
  mean for us? Will we continued to increase our
  role in international events?
• Will we return to Progressivism? (remember-
  destruction of monopolies, The Jungle, Food and
  Drug Administration, first national parks, etc.)
• What about minorities women, black Americans,
  etc. Do they have a new role and increased role
  now?

3
The First President of the 20s Believed We
Should Return to Normalcy

• Reflected a belief that after the turmoil of the
  Progressive Era and WWI, Americans were sick of
  conflict and controversy
• Desire for security at home in the world
• 1920 Election
• Warren Harding elected President
• 60 of popular vote
• Campaign mantra Americas present need is not
  heroics, but healingnormalcy

4
Desire for Normalcy leads to

• Foreign Policy of Isolationism
• U.S. did not join the League of Nations
• Decided to reduce naval power
• Increased tariffs - discouraged foreign trade
• Pro Business Policies (gov. messed with
  business too much in the Progressive Era- now
  gov. should help business)
• Gov. built miles of roads to support
  auto-industry
• Ford Motors- key player, assembly line,
  efficiency
• Federal interference with labor protests (gov.
  tries to end strikes)
• Reduced regulation on hours, wages, working
  conditions

5
Challenges to Normalcy

• Legacy of Progressive Reformers
• Immigrants
• Labor Unions
• Womens suffrage movement
• African Americans
• Communism/radical ideologies

The era between WWI and WWII was filled with
conflict Between the desire for normalcy and
the modernization Of the American people.