Weird and Wonderful US History
“In 1923, the United States produced 49% of all products worldwide. 6 In the years between 1919 and 1927, the American economy grew ten times as fast as in the years of 1900-1919. 7”
[Twenty years dominated by Teddy and Woodrow Wilson — 1900-1919. Even sharper than that — a depression that spilled into 1921. 1919 and 1927 ... sharper than that ... the Harding Recovery from 1921 policy / Roaring Twenties, leaping out from a depression through tax cuts AND spending cuts! It would be interesting to compare Teddy’s Panic of 1907 on through to Wilson’s depression into 1921 with Harding’s 1922 - 1927]
It is no wonder that this economic success attracted attention from other nations. The German public, dominated by middle class and intellectuals, never tired of praising the American accomplishments in economic issues. Even those from a socialist background, such as the Social Democrats and unionists saw the United States as a model for future German development. The US capitalist system seemed to create a population without the polarization into extreme left and right wings that was present throughout the whole Weimar Republic. Not only did it provide a solution for economical problems, but it also solved political problems. 8
The American economy was highly impressive to the Germans of the time. American practices which were believed to improve the economy streamed into Europe. The US was seen as a land of rationalisation and pragmatism. Two concepts were applied, Taylorism and Fordism.
Another expression for Taylorism is “scientific management”. Frederik Taylor, an engineer in the “Midvale Steel Company”, invented this kind of management even before the First World War. The kernel of his program was the division of labour in hundreds or thousands of exactly calculated small steps. This rationalisation was made possible by a scientification of management and production. The elimination of all useless steps led to an increase in production by forty times. 9
Fordism was invented by Henry C. Ford. His use of the assembly line in the production of his famous “Model T” car made it possible for him to produce fast and cheap automobiles in high numbers. This is the basis for mass consumption. Division of labour was also part of his philosophy. The “Model T” was produced in 7882 small steps.10 Labour became stricter and was determined by stop-watch and assembly line.
http://www.nomediakings.org/malte/ha/ha_weiku.htm
6 Hermand, p. 49.
7Ibid., p. 52.
[And note that we were in a depression in 1920. The Harding Recovery.]
Germans used to refer to Henry Ford’s biography as their economic bible:
http://www.nomediakings.org/malte/ha/ha_weiku.htm
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