APUSH Unit XV 1920s Vocab

for ACHS

A. Mitchell Palmer

Attorney General during the Red Scare, known for his aggressive anti-communist stance and the Palmer Raids aimed at deporting suspected radicals.

The Red Scare

A period of intense anti-communist hysteria in the United States, particularly after World War I, marked by fear of communist influence and the suppression of political dissent.

Sacco & Vanzetti

Italian immigrants and anarchists who were controversially convicted and executed in the 1920s for a murder and robbery they may not have committed, highlighting issues of nativism and prejudice.

Charles Lindbergh

Aviator who made the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927, becoming a national hero and symbolizing American courage and technological achievement.

18th Amendment

Prohibition amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1919-1933) that banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, leading to the rise of illegal alcohol trade.

Al Capone

Notorious Chicago gangster during Prohibition, involved in organized crime and bootlegging; symbolizing the challenges of enforcing Prohibition laws.

Harlem Renaissance

Cultural and artistic movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem, New York, showcasing African American creativity in literature, music, and the arts.

Calvin Coolidge

30th President of the United States (1923-1929), known for his laissez-faire approach to government and support of business interests during the Roaring Twenties.

Warren Harding

29th President of the United States (1921-1923), whose presidency was marred by corruption scandals such as the Teapot Dome Scandal.

Christian Fundamentalism

A movement emphasizing conservative beliefs in biblical literalism, opposition to modernism, and a focus on traditional religious values, gaining prominence in the 1920s.

Scopes Trial

1925 trial in Tennessee where a teacher was prosecuted for teaching evolution, highlighting the clash between science and religious fundamentalism.

Teapot Dome Scandal

Political scandal during the Harding administration involving the secret leasing of federal oil reserves, showcasing corruption in government.

Langston Hughes

Influential African American poet and key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, addressing racial and social issues through his literary works.

Babe Ruth

Iconic baseball player of the 1920s, credited with popularizing the sport and setting numerous records during the Roaring Twenties.

Speakeasy

Illicit establishments that served alcoholic beverages during Prohibition, often hidden behind unmarked doors and contributing to the rise of organized crime.

Flapper

Young women of the 1920s who challenged traditional gender norms by adopting unconventional styles and behaviors, symbolizing the spirit of the Jazz Age.

the Black Sox Scandal

Controversy surrounding the 1919 World Series, where several Chicago White Sox players were accused of intentionally losing, tarnishing the integrity of the game.

the Lost Generation

Term coined by Gertrude Stein to describe a group of disillusioned writers and intellectuals who felt disconnected from American society after World War I.

Duke Ellington

Renowned jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader, contributing significantly to the development of jazz music during the Harlem Renaissance.

Louis Armstrong

Influential jazz trumpeter and vocalist, a pioneer in the development of jazz as a prominent American musical genre in the 1920s and beyond.