1920s Reactionary Politics and Cultural Shifts

Communist Party

Grew to 70,000 members in the 1920s, supported by labor unions

KKK Resurgence

1920s revival with 3-8 million members, influencing state politics

KKK Influence

Extended opposition to Jews, Catholics, Immigrants, and Saloons

Isolationism

1920s policy of staying out of world affairs, rejecting League of Nations

Warren Harding

Republican candidate promoting isolationism in 1920 election

Revenue Act of 1921

Legislation lowering taxes on the wealthy, shifting from progressivism

Republican Policies

1920s focus on cutting business regulations, lowering taxes, and tariffs

Reactionary

Politician seeking to reverse political changes and restore society

Red Scare

Fear of communism infiltrating American society

Karl Marx

19th-century philosopher advocating for proletariat revolution and classless society

Bolshevik Revolution

1917 revolution leading to the formation of the Soviet Union

First Red Scare

Period of fear of internal communist threat in America (1917-1930)

Palmer Raids

1919-1921 searches for communists, socialists, union workers, and anarchists

Sacco and Vanzetti

Italian anarchists unfairly charged with murder, reflecting anti-immigrant sentiment

Steel Strike

1919 strike for higher wages, tied to communism by propaganda

Boston Police Strike

1919 strike for raise, led to negative public opinion on unions

Calvin Coolidge

President associated with the decline of labor unions in the 1920s

Nativism

Rise of anti-immigrant sentiment, exemplified by the Quota System

Quota System

Limited immigration based on nationality, sharply cutting European immigration

KKK

Revived in the 1920s, promoting white supremacy and nativism

Model T Impact

Affordable car by Ford leading to societal changes and economic growth

Assembly Line Efficiency

Ford's innovation streamlining car production, reducing costs

GDP Growth

1920s economic expansion shown by increasing GDP figures

Interstate Highways

Roadway development supporting car ubiquity and economic growth

Electrical Conveniences

1920s innovations easing housework due to electricity's spread

Route 66

Famous interstate highway built to support car travel

Suburban Development

Growth of residential areas outside cities, fueled by car culture

Credit

Buying goods incrementally on an installment plan

Installment Plan

Buying on credit with incremental payments

Stock

Financial instrument representing ownership in a company

Equity

Ownership stake in a company

Stock Market Mania

Period of inflated stock prices due to excessive buying

Margin Buying

Borrowing money to purchase stocks

Radio Statistics

Data showing radio ownership per 1000 people over time

Syndicated Comedy Shows

Broadcasted comedy programs distributed to multiple stations

Flapper

Urban, single, young middle-class women challenging gender norms

Economic Opportunities

Increased job options for women post-WWI

Glass Ceiling

Invisible barrier hindering women's career advancement

Love and Romance

Shift towards more equal relationships and romantic love

Prohibition

Ban on alcohol in the United States during the 1920s

Temperance Movement

Campaign to prohibit alcohol consumption

18th Amendment

Constitutional amendment banning alcohol

Volstead Act

Legislation enforcing the 18th Amendment

Unintended Consequences of Prohibition

Rise in organized crime and lawlessness due to alcohol ban

Organized Crime

Criminal groups operating outside the law

Double Standard in Dating

Unequal expectations for men and women in relationships

Margaret Sanger

Activist for birth control access in the 1920s

National Culture

Shared cultural norms and values across a nation