U.S. History Unit 5: The Roaring Twenties and the Dirty Thirties

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from U.S. History Unit 5, focusing on the Roaring Twenties and the Dirty Thirties.

Eugenics

A pseudo-scientific belief in improving the genetic quality of the human population, which fueled anti-immigrant sentiments and led to forced sterilizations.

Red Scare

A period marked by widespread fear of communism and anarchism in the United States, leading to political repression and social hysteria.

New Deal

A series of programs and policies implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at alleviating the effects of the Great Depression.

Prohibition

The nationwide ban on the sale, production, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, enacted by the 18th Amendment.

Stock Market Crash of 1929

A sudden dramatic decline of stock prices that marked the beginning of the Great Depression.

Consumer Society

An economic and social order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts.

Nativism

A political policy that favors native inhabitants over immigrants, often leading to anti-immigrant sentiments and legislation.

Flappers

Young women in the 1920s known for their unconventional behavior and style, which challenged traditional norms.

Quota System (immigration)

A government policy that establishes limits on the number of immigrants allowed from specific countries.

Hoovervilles

Shantytowns built by homeless people during the Great Depression, named after President Hoover.

Dust Bowl

A severe drought and ecological disaster in the 1930s that caused widespread agricultural devastation in the Great Plains.

Sacco-Vanzetti Case

The trial and execution of two Italian immigrants accused of robbery and murder, often cited as an example of prejudice against immigrants.

21st Amendment

The amendment that repealed Prohibition, officially ending the ban on alcohol.

Installment Plan

A credit system where payment for goods is made in installments over time, enabling more widespread consumer purchasing.

Bank Run

A situation where a large number of customers withdraw their deposits simultaneously, leading to the collapse of banks.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

A New Deal program that provided jobs for young men in environmental conservation projects.