Richmond Chapter 14: The Changing, Troubled Twenties

The automobile was a very important invention in the lives of Kansans. Not only did its introduction into Kansas families make their world's smaller, the auto also helped the oil business continue to boom. The automobile brought out a demand for better roads and soon Kansas was a leader here too. Kansans were not far behind the rest of the country in other areas too. Because of radio and movies, Kansans were exposed to the same marketing for goods that others got. Demand for refrigerators and other household convenience items increased and even the Flapper movement made it to Kansas.

The good times in Kansas didn't last as the depression hit Kansas farmers hard. Despite a few ups, farmers experienced mostly downs for the next several years. Farming in Kansas has never been the same since.

A good activity to do with this information would be to have students play the role of problem-solver and offer solutions to the problems created by the depression. Next, they will compare their ideas to those things that were tried by leaders of the time.