1.1.1

Warren G. Harding won the 1920 election with a promise of a "return to normalcy."

Focused on improving life in America and growing industries, aiming for less reliance on other nations.

Ended U.S. involvement in WWI through a separate peace treaty with Germany.

Shift away from the Progressive era during the 1920s:

• Cut government spending and lowered business taxes.

• Advocated for a beneficial relationship between government and businesses.

• New production methods like the assembly line led to affordable goods.

Administration faced corruption scandals, known as the "Ohio Gang":

• Issues in the Veteran's and Prohibition Bureaus.

• Attorney General accused of mishandling German assets.

• Teapot Dome scandal involving bribes for oil field leases.

Harding died in 1923, and Calvin Coolidge succeeded him, continuing business-friendly policies.

Coolidge believed in minimal government regulation of business.

Union membership declined during Harding and Coolidge’s presidency despite previous growth during the Progressive era.

The Supreme Court reversed pro-worker laws, weakening labor unions.

Fordism approach encouraged high wages for workers, reducing the need for union membership.

Americans feared communism, linking it with unions, diminishing union support.

Economic prosperity led to an expansion of the service industry and increased consumer spending.

Advertising became integral to culture, particularly from New York’s Madison Avenue.