Post War America: The Dawn of a New Era

These flashcards cover key concepts about post-war America, significant events following World War I, labor strikes, the Red Scare, cultural movements, political changes, amendments, and notable figures from the era.

What was the main focus of Woodrow Wilson's peace plan after WW1?

Wilson's peace plan contained 14 points that endorsed self-determination, freedom of the seas, free trade, and an end to secret alliances.

What significant global event caused the United States to enter World War 1?

The sinking of the Lusitania by German submarines.

What was the Treaty of Versailles and who was primarily responsible for negotiating it?

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty that officially ended WW1, primarily negotiated by Woodrow Wilson.

What were the main reasons for the rejection of the Treaty of Versailles in the U.S. Senate?

Wilson faced opposition from 'irreconcilables' and 'reservationists,' which weakened support for the Treaty.

What economic issues did American soldiers face upon returning home from WW1?

High inflation and rising unemployment rates.

What was the Palmer Raids and what did they aim to accomplish?

The Palmer Raids were a series of government actions aimed at eliminating radical leftism and leftist organizations.

What major cultural movement arose among African Americans in the 1920s?

The Harlem Renaissance, an explosion of African-American art, literature, and music.

What did the Nineteenth Amendment accomplish in 1920?

It granted women the right to vote.

What was the impact of the Anti-Radicalism sentiment during the Red Scare?

It led to increased xenophobia and discrimination against immigrants in America.

Who was Marcus Garvey and what did he advocate for?

Marcus Garvey was a leader who advocated for African American political, economic, and cultural independence.

What scandal involved Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall?

The Teapot Dome scandal, where Fall was found guilty of accepting bribes for transferring federal oil reserves.

What was the primary purpose of the League of Nations?

To provide a forum for resolving international disputes and preventing future wars.

What event significantly contributed to the start of the Red Scare in the United States?

The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, coupled with post-WW1 social unrest and labor strikes.

What was Prohibition and which amendment established it?

The nationwide ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933, established by the 18th Amendment.

What was the Great Migration?

The mass movement of approximately six million African Americans from the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West between 1916 and 1970.

What was the "Return to Normalcy" policy after World War I?

It was President Warren G. Harding's campaign slogan and policy aimed at restoring pre-WWI peace and stability, focusing on domestic issues and less on international affairs.

Who were Sacco and Vanzetti and what was their significance?

Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were Italian immigrant anarchists convicted of murder in 1921 amidst the Red Scare, becoming symbols of the era's anti-immigrant and anti-radical sentiment and raising questions about justice.

What characterized the "Flapper" image during the 1920s?

Flappers were young women who challenged traditional social norms through their dress (short skirts, bobbed hair), behavior (smoking, drinking, dancing), and independent attitudes, symbolizing the changing role of women in the 1920s.

How did the automobile industry impact American society and economy in the 1920s?

The widespread adoption of automobiles, facilitated by Henry Ford's assembly line, stimulated economic growth in related industries (steel, rubber, oil), created suburbs, and increased personal mobility and leisure.

What major communication innovation revolutionized American homes and mass media in the 1920s?

The radio, which broadcast news, music, and entertainment, leading to a more unified national culture.

How did cinema evolve in the 1920s?

The introduction of 'talkies' (movies with synchronized sound) significantly changed the film industry and audience experience, moving away from silent films.

What new home appliances became more common in the 1920s and what impact did they have?

Electric refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and washing machines became more accessible, easing household chores and contributing to a consumer-driven economy.

What advancements were made in aviation during the 1920s?

The decade saw significant developments in air travel, including Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic flight, boosting public interest and investment in aviation technology, though commercial air travel was still nascent.

What major legal case exemplified the conflict between religious fundamentalism and modern science in the 1920s?

The Scopes Monkey Trial (1925), which debated the teaching of evolution in public schools.

Who were the "Lost Generation" writers of the 1920s and what themes did they explore?

American writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway who expressed disillusionment with post-WW1 society, often focusing on themes of moral decay, despair, and the loss of idealism.

How did mass media, particularly advertising, influence American culture in the 1920s?

Advertising through radio, magazines, and films created a consumer culture, promoting new products and lifestyles, and shaping national desires for material goods and convenience.

What were the "Middletown studies" and what was their significance for understanding 1920s social dynamics?

The "Middletown studies" (by Robert and Helen Lynd) were a groundbreaking sociological examination of Muncie, Indiana, in the 1920s, chosen as a typical American city, revealing cultural shifts, class structures, and impacts of industrialization on daily life.

What were some key social divisions highlighted in the initial "Middletown" research in the 1920s?

The studies identified a pronounced division between the "working class" (those who made things) and the "business class" (those who sold things), influencing nearly all aspects of community life.

How did the "Middletown studies" describe the impact of new technologies and consumerism on Muncie families in the 1920s?

New technologies like automobiles and radios, along with increased advertising, fueled a growing consumer culture, impacting family budgets, leisure activities, and social expectations, though many working-class families struggled to afford these new amenities.

According to the "Middletown studies," how did leisure activities change in Muncie during the 1920s?

The rise of commercial amusements like cinemas, dance halls, and automobile excursions began to replace traditional, home-centered leisure, indicating a shift towards more public and commercialized forms of entertainment.

What was the Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed Act)?

This act severely restricted immigration, establishing national origins quotas that heavily favored Western and Northern European immigrants and virtually banned immigration from Asia.

How did the Supreme Court case Ozawa v. United States (1922) impact Asian immigrants in the 1920s?

The Court ruled that Japanese-born individuals were not "white persons" and thus ineligible for naturalized U.S. citizenship, regardless of their assimilation or character.

What was the significance of the United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind (1923) Supreme Court decision regarding citizenship?

The Court denied naturalized citizenship to an Indian immigrant, ruling that while science might classify some Indians as Caucasian, the common understanding of "white person" did not include them, further restricting who could become a U.S. citizen.

What fueled the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s?

The second Ku Klux Klan revived in 1915, gaining significant power in the 1920s fueled by post-WWI social anxieties, nativism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and a desire to preserve traditional white Protestant American culture.

Who were the primary targets of the Ku Klux Klan during its resurgence in the 1920s?

Beyond African Americans, the KKK expanded its targets to include immigrants, Catholics, Jews, and perceived radicals, promoting white supremacy and Protestant fundamentalism.

How did the Ku Klux Klan expand its influence beyond the South in the 1920s?

The KKK used modern advertising and recruitment techniques, extending its reach into the Midwest and other regions, attracting millions of members through its promotion of '100% Americanism' and moral reform.

What is 'Fordism'?

Fordism is a system of mass production, pioneered by Henry Ford, emphasizing standardized products, assembly-line manufacturing, and high wages for workers to create a consumer base for the products.

What was the significance of the Ford Model T in the 1920s?

The Model T, mass-produced on assembly lines, became affordable for the average American, revolutionizing personal transportation and significantly increasing automobile ownership.

How did Henry Ford's use of the assembly line transform manufacturing?

The assembly line dramatically