1. Politics and Prosperity in the 1920’s

What did more than 2 million soldiers do when they returned home from WW1

looked for work, just when wartime production ended, and jobs were hard to find.

Who did Americans blame for the post wartime economic slump

he Democrats and voted the Republicans into office.

Who took office in 1921 and who did he choose to lead his government

President Warren G. Harding. He chose pro-business men to lead his government.

What happened with President Harding’s friends

Harding brought in his old friends, who became known as the “Ohio Gang.” They used their positions to enrich themselves. 

The Teapot Dome Scandal - Explain

Albert Fall, Harding’s Secretary of the Interior, took bribes to lease government land at Teapot Dome, Wyoming to oil companies. Because of the Teapot Dome scandal, Fall was sent to prison. This and many other scandals hurt the Republican Party’s reputation.

What was Calvin Coolidge’s nickname and why

“Silent Cal”. President Coolidge was a quiet, thoughtful person. He forced corrupt officials to resign.

How did President Harding die?

In 1923, Harding died of a heart attack which many thought was caused by stress over the scandals.

What happened after companies returned to making consumer goods

the economy recovered and incomes rose

What is installment buying

People began buying appliances, cars, and many other things on credit (installment buying).

Who was the world’s leading economic power after WW1

The United States

What policy did America want to return to after the war, and why

a policy of isolationism, because they did not want to get involved in another war.

What did America do for Nicaragua

When a revolution broke out in Nicaragua, where U.S. companies had invested, President Coolidge sent marines to oversee an election. 

What did America do against the Mexican government

When the Mexican government threatened to take over foreign owned oil and mining companies, Coolidge sent a diplomat to work out a compromise.  

What does USSR stand for

United Soviet Socialist Republic

What did Russia establish, and under who’s lead?

Russia established The Soviet Union under Vladimir Lenin’s leadership. It was the world’s first communist government. 

What is communism

Communism is an economic system in which all wealth and property are owned by the government of the community as a whole. It is often referred to as “red.”

Why did Americans dislike communism

because it outlawed private property and attacked religion.

What is the hammer and sickle on the Soviet flag for, and how does it relate to communism

The hammer and sickle in the Soviet flag is a symbol meant to represent a union between industrial workers and agricultural peasants. The goal of communism was to create a society where everyone had their fair share of the country’s wealth. Corruption led to its ultimate failure.

What was one factor that lead to WW1

Militarism in Europe

What did people in the 1920’s want

an arms reduction to prevent future wars.

What treaty outlawed war, and who signed it

The United States and 61 other countries signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact,.