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How Did Advertising Affect The Economy Of The 1920s

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The 1920s were a time of advancement and prosperity in America. The end of the first world war caused America’s economy to boom resulting in a large increase in industrial output and credit. In addition to this, the invention of the assembly line made the automobile much easier to produce making it possible for most middle class families in the United States to be able to afford one which changed the concept of transportation. Modern advertising caused Americans to desire stuff that they didn’t necessarily need. Working conditions at this time were still poor but there were major improvements from the way it was at the beginning of the century. Due to welfare capitalism workers were much less inclined to strike which also helped the booming …show more content…

The American public was desperate for a change and Roosevelt was the solution that they were hoping for. Due to the invention of the radio, Roosevelt provided something to Americans that no previous president or political leader before him could. He would have his fireside chats, which were public addresses, be broadcasted on the radio where millions of Americans across the country could hear. Because of this, many Americans had the feeling that they knew the president on a personal level even though in reality they didn’t. Because of the radio and Roosevelt’s fireside chats, Americans felt comfortable writing to the president about their lives and struggles more so than any time before. The letters that the people suffering from the Great Depression wrote to the president and first lady were very real and personal. They told of the hardships they were going through and most asked for some sort of help or aid. The book, Down & Out in the Great Depression, is a collection of letters that are written to the government from citizens suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. For example, In letter 85, anonymous writes, “They have cut us down to 17-1/2 cent and hrs and I cant make any thing at that rate. They pay us every 2 weeks and then some time we don't have enough food to last.” Businesses were forced to lower their wages because they could no longer afford to pay workers at the previous rates they were receiving. Even though it is unfeasible for the president to read thousands of American letters personally, the American public still felt like their thoughts and opinions were still being heard. The overall message of the letters, however, was heard and addressed by Roosevelt. Americans were out of work and in poverty. They knew they couldn't help themselves so many Americans wrote to the president because they felt

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