1920's

Cynical

A belief that people are motivated purely by self-interest; in the context of the 1920s, it reflects a disillusionment with traditional values.

Cultural civil war

The intense cultural conflicts of the 1920s involving immigration, race, alcohol, evolution, gender politics, and sexual morality.

Teapot Dome scandal

A bribery incident involving Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall, who was convicted for accepting bribes for leasing U.S. naval oil reserves.

Laissez-faire economy

An economic system where the government takes a hands-off approach, allowing businesses to operate freely.

Consumer-oriented economy

An economic structure focused on the needs and wants of consumers, particularly prominent in the 1920s.

Black Tuesday

The day, October 29, 1929, when stock prices plummeted, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.

Mass entertainment

Entertainment that is designed to appeal to a large audience, becoming a significant aspect of life during the 1920s.

Credit

The ability to buy goods with the promise of paying back later, which fueled spending in the modern consumer society of the 1920s.

Bolshevism

A political ideology associated with the Russian Revolution of 1917, which incited social fears in America post-WWI.

Speculation

The practice of buying stocks with the hope that they will rise in value, often leading to financial risks.