1920’s business and politics. henry ford and the car makes cars cheap so all can afford them pays...
TRANSCRIPT
Henry Ford and the Car
• Makes cars cheap so all can afford them
• Pays his workers well so they can buy cars
• Uses the assembly line method to speed up production– car being built moved on a conveyor belt to
different workers
Impact of Ford
• Productivity increases • New businesses start (gas stations, repair
shops)• Suburbs grow – people could live farther from
cities • Growth of welfare capitalism– Companies give benefits (sick leave, overtime, etc)
to workers so they are happy and loyal
New Products
• Refrigerators and vacuum cleaners become popular – gives women more free time
• Radio makes people more aware of world events
• Airplanes begin to be used for passenger travel
New Ways of Buying and Selling
• Companies use persuasive ads and sponsor radio shows
• Installment buying – paying for an item over time in small amounts (aka credit) – Allows people to buy expensive products – Can put people into debt
Warren G. Harding’s Presidency
• Wants small government and big business • Cut the budget and gave tax cuts to the
wealthy• Signed the Fordney-McCumber Tariff– Raised tariffs (tax on imports) to help American
farmers make more $$$
Calvin Coolidge’s Presidency
• Believed in the power of business to help country grow, fund charities, and promote culture
• Continued tax and budget cuts • Decreased regulations on business (means the
gov’t would not be watching what they did)