1920s U.S. History: Economy, Culture, and Politics

How did demobilization affect labor in 1919?

Returning soldiers increased job competition, unemployment rose, and labor strikes expanded.

What was the Red Scare?

Fear of communism and radicalism after WWI that led to government crackdowns like the Palmer Raids.

How did the government respond to the Red Scare?

Arrests, deportations, and suppression of suspected radicals.

Who were Sacco and Vanzetti?

Italian immigrants/anarchists convicted in a biased trial, symbolizing nativism.

What was Harding's "return to normalcy"?

A desire for stability, isolationism, and pro-business policies after WWI.

How did the U.S. cooperate internationally in the 1920s?

Through treaties like the Washington Naval Conference and Kellogg-Briand Pact while avoiding the League of Nations.

How did the economy grow in the 1920s?

Mass production, consumer goods expansion, stock market growth, and pro-business policies.

What was consumerism?

Increased purchasing of goods fueled by advertising and credit.

How did installment buying change society?

Allowed Americans to buy products on credit, increasing debt and consumption.

How did Ford revolutionize industry?

Assembly lines lowered costs and made cars affordable.

How did automobiles impact society?

Increased mobility, suburban growth, tourism, and road development.

Why did farmers struggle in the 1920s?

Overproduction caused falling crop prices and debt.

How did government shape the decade?

Tax cuts, tariffs, and limited regulation favored businesses.

How did women's roles change in the 1920s?

Voting rights, flapper culture, workforce participation, and social independence expanded.

What was Prohibition?

Alcohol ban under the 18th Amendment.

What were the effects of Prohibition?

Bootlegging, speakeasies, organized crime, and corruption.

What was the Harlem Renaissance?

A major African American cultural movement in literature, music, and art.

How did popular culture change?

Radio, movies, jazz, and sports created national entertainment.

What was the Scopes Trial?

A major conflict between modern science and religious fundamentalism.

Why did the KKK rise again?

Racism, nativism, and fear of social change.

Who opposed the KKK?

NAACP, journalists, and civil rights activists.

How were Black Americans oppressed?

Segregation, violence, lynching, and discrimination.

How did Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois differ?

Washington promoted gradual progress; Du Bois demanded immediate equality.

What did Marcus Garvey promote?

Black nationalism and racial pride.

What was the 19th Amendment?

Granted women the right to vote in 1920.

What was the Indian Citizenship Act?

Granted Native Americans citizenship in 1924.

What caused the Great Depression?

Stock speculation, margin buying, bank failures, overproduction, and weak global markets.

What happened on Black Tuesday?

Stock market crash of 1929 triggered economic collapse.

How did Hoover respond?

Limited government intervention and business-focused aid.

What was the Dust Bowl?

Severe drought and poor farming practices that devastated agriculture.

What were Hoovervilles?

Shantytowns built by homeless Americans.

What was the Bonus Army?

WWI veterans demanding bonus payments who were forcibly removed.

Why was FDR elected?

Hoover's failure during the Depression increased demand for government action.

What happened during the First Hundred Days?

Massive relief, recovery, and reform legislation was passed.

What was the CCC?

Civilian Conservation Corps providing jobs for young men.

What was the AAA?

Agricultural Adjustment Act aimed to raise farm prices.

What was the WPA?

Works Progress Administration created public jobs.

What was Social Security?

Federal retirement and unemployment support system.

Why did some oppose the New Deal?

Concerns over federal power or insufficient reform.

What were the long-term effects of the New Deal?

Expanded federal government, labor rights, and economic safety nets.

WWI led to what domestic fear?

Red Scare and nativism.

Consumerism + credit led to what?

Speculation and financial instability.

Social modernization caused what backlash?

Fundamentalism and KKK growth.

Great Depression caused what political shift?

Expansion of federal government under FDR.

What were the Palmer Raids?

Government raids against suspected radicals.

What is a Hooverville?

Homeless shantytown during Depression.

What was the New Deal?

FDR's recovery and reform programs.

What is Social Security?

Federal welfare system.