The Roaring 20s: Economic, Cultural, and Social Changes in America

What characterized the Roaring 20s?

A period of rapid economic growth and social change following World War I.

How did the post-World War I mindset influence the 1920s?

It contributed to cultural changes, leading to a more permissive and consumer-oriented society.

What was the economic status of the U.S. between 1920 and 1929?

The nation's wealth doubled, and it became a consumer society with a per capita GDP increase.

What percentage of the world's wealth belonged to Americans during the 1920s?

40% of the world's wealth.

What was the unemployment rate during the Roaring 20s?

Unemployment never rose above 4%.

What was the significance of the Ford Model T price drop?

It decreased from $850 to $300 in 1924, making cars more affordable and accessible.

How did new technologies impact consumerism in the 1920s?

Technologies like electricity and household appliances became common, leading to innovations in consumer purchasing.

What role did the radio play in 1920s society?

It transformed society by broadcasting music, news, and culture, uniting the nation.

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

Movies became a major industry, introducing movie stars and shaping popular culture.

What was the Jazz Age?

A period when jazz music, originating from African American communities, became the most popular music in America.

What was the Harlem Renaissance?

A cultural movement that celebrated African American art, music, and literature, centered in Harlem.

What was the significance of flappers in the 1920s?

Flappers represented a new woman who challenged traditional norms with their fashion and behavior.

What was the 18th Amendment?

Ratified in 1919, it banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.

What was the effect of Prohibition on American society?

It led to the rise of organized crime and speakeasies, as illegal liquor trade flourished.

What was the Scopes Trial about?

The 1925 trial of John Scopes for teaching evolution in a public school, highlighting the conflict between traditionalism and modernism.

Who were Sacco and Vanzetti?

Two Italian immigrants accused of murder, their trial highlighted issues of nativism and anti-immigrant sentiment.

What was the Lost Generation?

A group of writers disillusioned by World War I, expressing their feelings through literature.

What was the Emergency Immigration Act of 1921?

It introduced numerical limits on European immigration for the first time in U.S. history.

What was President Warren G. Harding's campaign slogan?

'A return to normalcy.'

What characterized Calvin Coolidge's presidency?

A focus on eliminating scandals and minimal government intervention in business.

What was Herbert Hoover known for before his presidency?

His humanitarian efforts and role as U.S. food administrator during WWI.

What event marked the end of the Roaring 20s?

The stock market crash in October 1929.

What was the cultural impact of the 1920s on American society?

It fostered a new sense of identity through shared experiences in entertainment, fashion, and consumerism.

What were some popular dance crazes of the 1920s?

The Charleston, Cake Walk, Black Bottom, and Flea Hop.

Who were some notable celebrities of the Roaring 20s?

Langston Hughes, Duke Ellington, Babe Ruth, and Amelia Earhart.

What was the impact of the 21st Amendment?

It repealed the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition in 1933.