Key Concepts from American History 1920s to Post-WWII

A collection of vocabulary terms from U.S. history covering major events and concepts from the 1920s through the post-WWII era.

Consumerism

The widespread buying of goods and services, especially on credit, during the 1920s.

Overproduction

Producing more goods than people could afford to buy, contributing to economic instability.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

A white supremacist group targeting Black Americans, immigrants, Jews, Catholics, atheists, communists, and independent women.

Return to Normalcy

A slogan by Warren G. Harding calling for a return to pre-WWI life and stability.

Scopes “Monkey” Trial

A 1925 court case where John Scopes was tried for teaching evolution in violation of Tennessee law.

Prohibition

The nationwide ban on alcohol (18th Amendment), which led to crime and illegal activities.

New Deal

A series of programs aimed at economic recovery, relief, and reform during the Great Depression.

World War II (WWII)

A global conflict (1939–1945) between the Allies and Axis powers.

Pearl Harbor

The Japanese attack in 1941 that caused the U.S. to enter WWII.

Tuskegee Airmen

The first African American military pilots in U.S. history.

Holocaust

The genocide of 6 million Jews by Nazi Germany.

Cold War

A period of tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union after WWII.

Marshall Plan

U.S. program providing economic aid to rebuild Western Europe after WWII.

Containment

Strategy to prevent the spread of communism.

Baby Boom

A significant increase in birth rates after WWII.

Red Scare

Fear of communism spreading in the United States.

1920s (Era of Turmoil)

A period marked by economic growth but social tensions, overproduction, consumerism, and conflicts over workers’ rights

Herbert Hoover & Bonus Army

WWI veterans who marched on Washington, D.C. demanding early bonus payments; Hoover had them removed

William Jennings Bryan

Democratic leader who supported creationism in the Scopes Trial and died shortly after it ended

Al Capone

A famous Chicago gangster who profited from illegal alcohol during Prohibition

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)

President who served four terms and created the New Deal to combat the Great Depression

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

A New Deal program that provided electricity and economic development to rural areas

Civil Works Administration (CWA)

A short-term New Deal program that created jobs during the winter of 1933–34

National Recovery Administration (NRA)

A New Deal agency that regulated businesses to promote fair competition

Conservative Coalition

An alliance of Republicans and Southern Democrats that opposed New Deal programs

Allies

The nations opposing the Axis (U.S., Britain, France, Soviet Union)

Axis Powers

Germany, Italy, and Japan

Start of WWII

Germany invaded Poland in 1939

Lend-Lease Act

U.S. program providing military aid and supplies to Allied nations before entering WWII

Soviet Union in WWII

Joined the Allies in 1941 after being invaded by Germany

U-Boats

German submarines used to attack Allied ships

Women in WWII

Worked in factories and defense industries but were not allowed in combat

African Americans in WWII

Served in the military and workforce despite segregation and discrimination

Allied Unity

Cooperation among Allied nations that helped win the war

War Production

Massive U.S. industrial output that contributed to victory in WWII

Atomic Bomb

 A powerful weapon used by the U.S. to help end WWII

Berlin Airlift

A U.S.-led effort to supply West Berlin during a Soviet blockade

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to support countries resisting communism

Jackie Robinson

First African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era

Levittowns

Mass-produced suburban communities for returning WWII veterans

Joseph McCarthy

Senator who led the Red Scare by claiming communists had infiltrated the U.S. government

HUAC & Hollywood Ten

Government investigation of alleged communists in Hollywood; ten individuals were blacklisted

Taft-Hartley Act

Law limiting the power of labor unions

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Popular WWII general elected president (“I Like Ike”)

NSC-68

U.S. policy document calling for increased military spending to fight communism

Marcus Garvey

Leader of the Back-to-Africa movement promoting Black nationalism

Margaret Sanger

Activist who advocated for birth control and women’s reproductive rights