The Reactionary 1920s

Flashcards about the reactionary responses, economy, and politics of the 1920s in the US.

The Reactionary 1920s

Period from 1919 to 1929, marked by reactionary sentiments after World War I.

Pandemic

Global outbreak of disease.

Epidemic

Regional outbreak of disease.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty signed in June 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, but rejected by the US Senate due to concerns about involvement in European affairs through the League of Nations.

Political Isolationism

US policy of avoiding involvement in European political affairs after WWI.

Transitioning Economy (1919-1920)

The transition of US industry and manufacturing from wartime production of armaments to peacetime production of consumer goods after World War I, leading to economic adjustments.

Red Summer

A series of race riots in the US during the summer of 1919, marked by tensions over housing, jobs, and racial prejudice after WWI.

Labor Strikes (1919)

Series of work stoppages in 1919 involving 4,000,000 workers, seeking higher wages and shorter work weeks.

First Red Scare

Widespread fear of political radicals and communists in the US, from 1919 to 1920, triggered by the Bolshevik Revolution and labor unrest.

Palmer Raids

Raids conducted by the US Department of Justice in 1919 and 1920, led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, targeting suspected radicals and resulting in arrests and deportations.

Rise of Nativism

Fear of immigrants and foreign influence, leading to restrictive immigration laws in the 1920s.

Immigration Acts (1921 & 1924)

US laws in 1921 & 1924 which limited immigration based on nationality.

Sacco and Vanzetti Case

Case in the 1920s involving two Italian immigrants and anarchists accused of murder, highlighting issues of nativism and civil liberties.

The New Klan

Re-emergence of the Ku Klux Klan in 1915, targeting Catholics, Jews, immigrants, African Americans, and other minority groups.

Fundamentalism

Movement in the 1920s emphasizing a literal interpretation of the Bible and opposing modernism and scientific theories such as evolution.

Scopes Trial (1925)

Trial in 1925 involving a teacher accused of teaching evolution in violation of state law, highlighting the conflict between modernism and traditionalism.

18th Amendment - Prohibition

Constitutional amendment ratified in 1919, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the US.

Prohibition – Organized Crime

Rise of criminal organizations involved in the illegal production and distribution of alcohol during the Prohibition era, such as Alphonse "Scarface" Capone.

Return of the Republicans

A shift in American politics towards conservative policies, marked by a desire for stability and a return to pre-war norms.

Return to Normalcy

Harding's campaign promise in the Election of 1920, which advocated for a return to laissez-faire economic policies and a more stable, less interventionist government.

Andrew Mellon & the Economy

Secretary of the Treasury, Andrew Mellon, proposed a series of measures to address the economy such as reducing federal spending and tax rates. It worked wonders.

Fordney-McCumber Tariff (1922)

US legislation that raised tariffs on imported goods in 1922, to protect American industries after WWI.

Isolationism

US policy of avoiding political alliances and entanglements with other countries, particularly in Europe, during the 1920s.

The Dawes Plan

Mechanism by which the US loaned money to Germany, who in turn paid war repartitions to France and Great Britain, who then used those funds to pay back war debts to the US.

Washington Naval Conference

International treaty negotiated in 1922 to limit the naval armaments of major powers, aiming to prevent future conflicts.

Kellogg-Briand Pact (1927)

International agreement signed in 1928, renouncing war as an instrument of national policy, though lacking effective enforcement mechanisms.

Harding Scandals

Series of corruption scandals during the Harding administration, involving officials accepting bribes and engaging in illegal activities such as selling government assets.

Teapot Dome Scandal (1921-1924)

Political scandal involving Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall, who accepted bribes in exchange for leasing naval oil reserves to private companies.

Chief Business is Business

Coolidge's view that the primary focus of the US should be on economic prosperity and business development.

American Individualism

Hoover's concept which proposed that service for the common good is superior to individualism. He also hoped that business leaders would voluntarily work together to promote better economy, greater efficiency

Crisis in the Farming Sector

The weakest sector in the US economy throughout the 1920 because of overproduction.

Looming Economic Crisis (1927-1929)

Period starting in 1927, where early indicators of economic problems began to show up like steel production, home construction, and Automobile sales is down

Stock Market – Great Bull Market

A prolonged period of rising stock prices in the US stock market during the 1920s, driven by speculation and optimism.

Stock Market - Buying on Margin

Buying stocks with borrowed money.

Stock Market – Black Tuesday Crash

The day when stock prices in the US stock market crashed dramatically, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.