CONSUMERISM AND MERCANTILISM DURING THE 1920S The Road

CONSUMERISM AND MERCANTILISM DURING THE 1920’S The Road to fortune, and easy living

Table of Contents While going through this power point you will be able to use certain buttons and shortcuts to go between slides. This is the AUDIO button. This will play an audio clip This is the HOME slide. It will take you back to the first slide with the big HOME button. This is the QUIZ button. This will take you straight to the quiz at the end This is the REVIEW button. Click on this to go straight to the quiz review Lastly, these buttons will take you to the previous and next slide respectively/

Journal Entry Have you ever felt that the allowance or work check you receive isn’t very high? . Before the 20’s, that was the same for working Americans. Certain acts taken made it so paychecks were considerably higher. Take a minute to think what might have caused this based on your previous knowledge of the 20’s

America’s Direction After the events of World War I, people have gained a new sense of prosperity. An increase in happiness was about as people had more money, goods, and were glad that the war was over. America will enter an age of consumerism, and will leave people richer, and better off for the decade to come.

People’s Wallets The 20 s was a short era that people had more money to spend than ever. Families of virtually low income were able to get a place to live and have nice household appliances

New Direction This rise in overall American happiness did not happen out of nowhere. Certain administration and rise in business allowed for better paying jobs. An increase in jobs and stores made for competitive shopping. Let us look into some of the attributing events that made for this time in prosperity.

Intro to the 1920’s Here is a excellent brief video outlining some of the important aspects and highlights of the 1920’s. This will help you gather an understanding of the era going into this unit

The Thrifty President Calvin Coolidge became President in 1924 after Harding. His biggest concern was economy in government. His ideology was that government could be ran as a business

The Thrifty President His biggest priorities were paying off debt, cutting taxes, and getting rid of waste. People knew Coolidge as arguably being the most frugal president.

Coolidge Speech Here is a speech given by Calvin Coolidge about consumerism, and economics.

His Eventual Successes The prosperity of the Coolidge era will bring the following to America: - Working people at different income levels will live in a better standard of living - Half of population are going to own a car/radio/ and consumer goods - A renewed emphasis on the notion of “Thrift”

Merchandising The Policies of the Coolidge administrations supported business and spurred tremendous commercial growth The typical house holder became more informed as events such as the Better Homes Movement celebrated home ownership

Merchandizing Continued Chain Stores started to see their appearance during this period. Different and new advertising spectacles were implemented to attract customers, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Home Economics Home economics became a broad component of 1920 s consumer education for two reasons: First, that home owners could be better consumers. Second, home economics concerned itself with two impulses of the Coolidge era: consumption and thrift.

Home Economics Home economists taught that home economics could fix excess and frivolous spending. Household budgeting thus became a central concern of the field

Better Homes Movement The Better Homes Movement was a nationwide campaign initiated in 1922 in the Butterick Publishing Company's household magazine, The Delineator. The campaign celebrated home ownership, home maintenance and improvement, as a way to endorse smart home ownership and appliance consumerism. This sparked a movement for others to build, remodel, and improve their homes.

African Americans and Consumerism African Americans started forming close knit communities due to the high level of racism Groups like the National Negro League, The National Negro Industrial Commission, and the National Urban League offered African Americans chances to own business and become part of the middle class society.

Business Organization of the Government President Coolidge believed that the federal government could best be managed like a business. That is required the same needs and demands of the economy.

Business Organization of the Government The Business Organization of the Government was a series of convocations intended to enhance and celebrate the efficient operation of the federal budget system created under President Harding by the Budget Act of 1921

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Certain public events helped make some types of stores boom in business. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade did just that The parade helped showcase highlighted the growth of the children’s toy industry. As a result toy stores appeared everywhere.

“Made in the USA” Campaign This 1920’s was also a time for centralized patriotism because of the first World War and because of that it had spread to consumerism. The “Made in the USA” campaign was a movement that urged consumers to buy American-made goods. The problem with this was that it more or less helped large companies and ignored small businesses.

Truth in Advertising Since big companies and chain stores, advertisement had its place, but it was not well received. The Truth in Advertising movement was an attempt at the industry ability at self regulation.

Truth in Advertising People were not believing the claims advertisers made for their products. This movement made it so all kinds of business made an attempt at presenting themselves as professionals.

Chain Stores During the 1920’s the rise of the “chain store” was a big deal. Places like Sears, Macy’s, and Woolworth made their big debut. This was important because different stores were constructed to cater to different people’s needs. This created job, and competitive pricing that worked for consumers.

Summary The 1920 s was an optimal time for people to spend money, because businesses were on the rise. People had money because of better paying jobs. Calvin Coolidge made a solid effort to make Americans better consumers, and better off living wise.

Review Here a few questions to help practice for the quiz. 1. Who was the president during a big part of the 20’s… (Calvin Coolidge). 2. True/False, Advertising was well received by the majority of Americans during the 1920’s…(False) 3. People generally had more of what during the 1920’s? . . . Money, Consumer Goods, and Cars. 4. What type of business venture was becoming popular and seen everywhere? . . . (Chain Stores) 5. What stance did President Coolidge take kindly to, during the 1920’s…(Frugality).

Quiz Time! This is a quiz to test your understanding, and knowledge of the material presented. If you answer correctly, you will be able to go on to the next question. If you answer incorrectly, you will have to go back and answer the question correctly.

Question 1 What type of business venture was becoming popular and seen everywhere? 1. 2. 3. 4. Night Clubs Railroads Chain Stores Cows farms

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Question 2 True/False, Advertising was well received by the majority of Americans during the 1920’s 1. True 2. False

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Question 3 What stance did President Coolidge take kindly to, during the 1920’s 1. 2. 3. 4. Conservation Big spending Frugality Charity

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Question 4 People generally had more of what during the 1920’s 1. 2. 3. 4. Cars Consumer Goods Money All of the above

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Question 5 Who was the president during the majority of the 20’s 1. 2. 3. 4. Warren G. Harding Herbert Hoover Teddy Roosevelt Calvin Coolidge

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Congrats! You are done!