1920s Prohibition, Culture, and Key Historical Figures

What did the 18th Amendment, passed in 1920, establish?

It launched the era known as Prohibition, making it illegal to make, sell, or transport liquor.

What were speakeasies?

Hidden saloons where people went to obtain liquor illegally during Prohibition.

Who was Al Capone?

A notorious bootlegger who controlled the Chicago liquor business during Prohibition.

What contributed to the growth of organized crime during Prohibition?

The illegal liquor trade and the demand for alcohol led to increased organized crime activities.

What were the two main reasons for the failure of Prohibition?

It was poorly enforced, and most people did not take it seriously, continuing to drink anyway.

What was the public support for Prohibition by the mid-1920s?

Only 19% of Americans supported Prohibition by the mid-1920s.

What amendment repealed Prohibition?

The 21st Amendment, which was ratified in 1933.

What was the Scopes Trial about?

It was a legal case in which John Scopes challenged a Tennessee law that made it illegal to teach evolution.

Who defended John Scopes in the Scopes Trial?

Clarence Darrow, the most famous trial lawyer of the era.

What was the outcome of the Scopes Trial?

John Scopes was found guilty and fined $100.

What significant demographic change occurred in the 1920s in the U.S.?

For the first time, more Americans lived in cities than in rural areas.

Who was Henry Ford and what was his impact on the 1920s?

Henry Ford revolutionized the automobile industry by using the assembly line, making cars more accessible.

What was a Flapper?

An emancipated young woman in the 1920s who embraced new fashions and urban attitudes.

What roles did women take on during the 1920s?

Women entered the workforce as nurses, teachers, librarians, and secretaries, but faced discrimination and lower wages.

Who was Jeanette Rankin?

The first woman elected to Congress, serving throughout the 1920s.

What was the significance of the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti?

They were Italian immigrants prosecuted for their radical beliefs and immigrant background, despite flimsy evidence.

What characterized the modern family that emerged in the 1920s?

Marriage based on romantic love, women managing households, and children being nurtured rather than seen as laborers.

What were the popular dance fads of the 1920s?

Dances like the Charleston, Black Bottom, and Shimmy became popular, contrasting with previous structured ballroom dancing.

Who was Babe Ruth?

A legendary baseball player known for hitting 60 home runs in 1927, becoming an American hero.

What was Charles Lindbergh known for?

He made the first nonstop solo transatlantic flight from NYC to Paris in 1927.

What was the significance of the Jazz Singer?

It was the first sound movie, released in 1927, marking a major advancement in film history.

Who was Louis Armstrong?

A prominent jazz musician who joined the Creole Jazz Band in 1922 and became a key figure in jazz history.

What was the Harlem Renaissance?

A literary and artistic revival in the 1920s centered in Harlem, celebrating African-American culture and pride.

Who was Bessie Smith?

A blues singer who became the highest-paid black artist in the world by 1927.

What did F. Scott Fitzgerald contribute to literature?

He coined the phrase 'Jazz Age' and wrote The Great Gatsby, reflecting the emptiness of elite society.

What themes did Willa Cather explore in her writing?

She celebrated the simple, dignified lives of immigrant farmers in her novel My Antonia.

What was the impact of the 1920s on American culture?

The decade saw significant changes in social norms, women's rights, and the emergence of new forms of entertainment.