Key Concepts of the 1920s and 1930s American History

This set of flashcards covers significant terms and events from American history during the 1920s and 1930s, focusing on cultural movements, presidential policies, economic changes, and key legal cases.

Duke Ellington

An influential American composer, pianist, and bandleader of jazz orchestras.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated Black art, literature, and music.

Herbert Hoover

The 31st President of the United States, serving during the beginning of the Great Depression.

1st Red Scare

A period of intense anti-communist sentiment in the United States after World War I.

Soviet Union

A socialist state that existed from 1922 until 1991, encompassing Russia and other republics.

Palmer Raids

A series of government actions in 1919-1920 aimed at arresting and deporting radical leftists.

Emergency Immigration Act

A 1921 law that restricted immigration to the United States, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe.

National Origins Act

A 1924 law that limited immigration based on national origin quotas.

Prohibition

A nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages.

Volstead Act

The act of Congress that enforced the 18th Amendment and established prohibition.

Warren G. Harding

The 29th President of the United States known for his 'Return to Normalcy' campaign after WWI.

Teapot Dome

A bribery scandal involving the secret leasing of federal oil reserves during Harding's presidency.

Calvin Coolidge

The 30th President of the United States known for his laissez-faire approach to the economy.

Consumer Economy

An economy driven by the consumption of goods and services by individuals.

Installment Plans

A payment plan allowing customers to pay for goods over time in regular installments.

Flapper

A young woman in the 1920s known for her energetic lifestyle and fashion that challenged traditional norms.

The Great Migration

The movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North for better opportunities.

Chicago Race Riots

A violent racial conflict that occurred in Chicago in 1919, rooted in racial tensions.

Marcus Garvey

A prominent Black nationalist leader known for promoting the Back to Africa movement.

KKK (Ku Klux Klan)

A white supremacist group known for its violent actions and opposition to civil rights.

Sacco and Vanzetti

Italian anarchists who were controversially convicted of murder in 1921.

Al Capone

A notorious gangster during Prohibition who led the Chicago Outfit.

Al Smith

The first Catholic presidential candidate from a major party, running in 1928.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

A 1928 international agreement attempting to prevent war.

Black Tuesday

The day in 1929 the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.

Bank Run

A situation where a large number of customers withdraw their deposits simultaneously, fearing bank insolvency.

Hooverville

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

Smoot-Hawley Tariff

A 1930 law that raised tariffs on imports, worsening the Great Depression.

Federal Farm Board

An agency established to stabilize farm prices during the Great Depression.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

A government agency that provided financial support to banks and businesses during the Depression.

Bonus March

A protest by World War I veterans in 1932 demanding payment for their service.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States who led the country during the Great Depression and WWII.

Fireside Chat

A series of radio addresses by FDR to communicate directly with the American people.

Brain Trust

A group of academic advisors to FDR who helped formulate New Deal policies.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory advocating for government intervention to stabilize economic cycles.

New Deal Programs

A series of programs launched by FDR to counter the effects of the Great Depression.

Court Packing Bill

A 1937 proposal by FDR to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court.

Committee of Industrial Organizations

A group formed to organize union efforts in the industrial sector.

Fair Labor Standards Act

A 1938 law that established minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards.

Schechter v. USA

A landmark Supreme Court case that invalidated regulations of the poultry industry under the New Deal.

Butler v. USA

A Supreme Court case that struck down the Agricultural Adjustment Act, declaring it unconstitutional.

American Liberty League

A political organization formed to oppose the New Deal, claiming it infringed on individual liberty.

Dust Bowl

A period of severe dust storms in the 1930s, caused by drought and poor farming practices.

Good Neighbor Policy

FDR’s foreign policy aimed at improving relations with Latin American countries.

Okie Migration

The movement of displaced agricultural workers from the Dust Bowl to California for better opportunities.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.

Stock Market

A platform where shares of publicly traded companies are bought and sold.

Speakeasy

An illicit bar that operated during Prohibition, serving alcohol.

Bootlegging

The illegal production and distribution of alcohol during Prohibition.