Chapter 31: American Life in the "Roaring Twenties"

Thank me later

Seattle General Strike (1919)

A strike that arose from the general discontent that many workers felt post-WWI. Contributed to red scare, and was denounced as a communist movement. The Mayor threatened to use armed police.

Red Scare

Widespread fear of communism and other politically radical ideas.

(A. Mitchell) Palmer

Attorney General who rounded up many suspects who were thought to be un-American and socialistic; he was nicknamed the "Fighting Quaker" until a bomb destroyed his home; he then had a nervous breakdown and became known as the "Quaking Fighter."

Palmer Raids (1919)

Raids led by influential attorney-general of the time on houses of suspected communists/radicals.

Sacco and Vanzetti

These were two Italian immigrants who were arrested in connection with a shooting in Massachusetts. After a controversial trial, which many deemed unfair, they were sentenced to death.

KKK

Racist, anti-immigrant clan that held much influence in the 1920s. Used violence and scare tactics to achieve its goals. (Was HORRIFIC)

isolationism

A term that describes America's withdrawn attitude in the 1920s.

Emergency Quota Act of 1921

1921 legislation that limited immigration to 3% of the people of their nationality living in the US in 1910.

Immigration Act of 1924

This was passed in 1924--cut quotas for foreigners from 3 % to 2% of the total number of immigrants in 1890--purpose was to freeze America's existing racial composition --prevented Japanese from immigrating, causing outrage in Japan.

prohibition

The banning of the sale and consumption of all alcoholic products.

18th Amendment (1918)

Constitutional amendment that banned the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Volstead Act (1919)

This law established a Prohibition Bureau within the Treasury Department. It was under-budgeted and largely ineffective, especially in strongly anti-prohibition states

speakeasies

"Bars" of the prohibition era; these were illicit places of social gathering.

"the noble experiment"

A derisive name given to the prohibition movement, which called attention to the unlikelihood of its success.

bootlegging

The act of making and transporting alcoholic liquor for sale illegally

Al Capone

Nicknamed "Scarface" and one of the most notorious gangsters in history, this man earned the title of "Public Enemy No. 1" for his many illegal exploits in Chicago.

gangsters

Violent organized crime members who took over the job of supplying alcohol to speakeasies.

(John) Dewey

United States pragmatic philosopher who advocated progressive education (1859-1952)

Fundamentalism

Literal interpretation and strict adherence to basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect).

(Billy) Sunday

American fundamentalist minister; he used colorful language and powerful sermons to drive home the message of salvation through Jesus and to oppose radical and progressive groups.

Scopes Trial

A highly publicized trial in 1925 in which a teacher violated a Tennessee state law by teaching evolution in high school. In the trial, William Jennings Bryan argued on the side of fundamentalism, while Clarence Darrow argued for evolution.

(Clarence) Darrow

Defended John Scopes during the Scopes Trial. He argued that evolution should be taught in schools.

The Man Nobody Knows

1925 book by advertiser Bruce Barton- set forth provocative thesis that Jesus was the greatest adman of all time.

(Babe) Ruth

"The Sultan of Swat!" "The Great Bambino!" "The Colossus of Clout!" This man was one of the most famous baseball players in history; Reflected a new trend of celebrating sports heroes in the 1920s.

(Jack) Dempsey

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion (1895-1983)

(Henry) Ford

United States manufacturer of automobiles who pioneered mass production (1863-1947)

(Frederick) Taylor

American mechanical engineer, who wanted to improve industrial efficiency. He is known as the father of scientific management, and was one of the first management consultants

scientific management

A management theory using efficiency experts to examine each work operations and find ways to minimize the time needed to complete it

Model T

First affordable car built by Henry Ford; sturdy, reliable, inexpensive, only came in black

Fordism

A system of standardized mass production attributed to Henry Ford

Wright Brothers

These two siblings and bike mechanics created the first functioning flying machine.

(Charles) Lindbergh

This man achieved worldwide renown when he became the first person ever to complete a transatlantic flight.

Jazz Age

Name for the 1920s, because of the popularity of a new type of American music that combined African rhythms, blues, and ragtime.

radio

a communication system based on broadcasting electromagnetic waves

Birth of a Nation

Controversial but highly influential and innovative silent film directed by D.W. Griffith. It demonstrated the power of film propaganda and revived the KKK.

The Jazz Singer

1927 - The first movie with sound; this "talkie" was about the life of famous jazz singer; Al Jolson.

(Margaret) Sanger

United States nurse who campaigned for birth control and planned parenthood.

flappers

Carefree young women of the 1920s that behaved and dressed in a radical fashion

(Sigmund) Freud

(1856-1939) Founder of psychoanalysis, created the first comprehensive theory of personality. Tied many psychological processes to sexual desire.

(Marcus) Garvey

He led the Universal Negro Improvement Association and his "Back to Africa" movement inspired racial pride in the 1920s.

Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

An association that promoted black pride and black unity. It also encouraged African Americans to move permanently to Africa.

Lost Generation

Group of writers in 1920s who shared the belief that they were lost in a greedy, materialistic world that lacked moral value. They often chose to flee to Europe

(F. Scott) Fitzgerald

One of the 20th-century's literary stars, his writing chronicled the Jazz Age. He wrote "This Side of Paradise, and his novel "The Great Gatsby" is considered an American masterpiece. (Married a woman named Zelda!)

(Ernest) Hemingway

This American author saw combat in Italy. His "The Sun Also Rises" and "A Farewell to Arms" reflected postwar disillusionment. Ended up committing suicide.

Harlem Renaissance

A period in the 1920s when African-American achievements in art and music and literature flourished

(Langston) Hughes

A leading poet of the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" and "My People"

"on margin"

To buy stock by paying only a fraction of the stock price and borrowing the rest.

(Andrew) Mellon

An American banker, industrialist, philanthropist, art collector and Secretary of the Treasury from March 4, 1921 until February 12, 1932. Believed in a government "hands-off" approach to the economy.