Chapter 11: Getting on With Business "Coolidge and Corporate Growth"

Introduction In this chapter, you learned that the United States experienced unprecedented prosperity and corporate growth during the 1920s. President Calvin Coolidge's policies fostered an economic climate that favored business and promoted consumerism. Many Americans connected their improved standard of living with big business, and so they supported federal policies that promoted industrial interests. At this Web site, you will research the Coolidge Era and the roles that government, consumerism, and advertising played in the new consumer economy. Destination Title: The Coolidge Era and the Consumer Economy, 1921–1929 Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window. Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips. Directions Start at the Coolidge Era and the Consumer Economy, 1921–1929 Web site. Scroll down and click on the "Introduction to Prosperity and Thrift" topic. Navigate through the site, clicking on the arrows at the bottom of the page. Click on the underlined words for more information about the topic. Browse through the site, taking notes as you go. After you have read through the information, answer the following questions. 1. Characterize the economic prosperity of the 1920s. 2. In what ways did the Coolidge administration encourage corporate growth? 3. What role did advertising play in the prosperity of the 1920s? 4. Explain the rise of consumer activism, and identify some of the movements of the era. 5. Imagine that the year is 1926 and you are a vice president of business expansion for the XYZ Chain Store. On a separate sheet of paper, prepare a brief presentation that outlines the economic conditions supporting your company's opening of 10 new stores this year. Be sure to cite specific instances of government and consumer support. Then present your outline to the Board of Trustees (your class).