Unit 7B 1920s

Palmer Raids

a series of government actions in 1919 and 1920 aimed at arresting and deporting suspected radicals, anarchists, and communists. During the Red Scare, these raids led to the arrest of thousands, often without proper legal procedures.

National Origins Act (1924)

A U.S. federal law that established a quota system for immigration, limiting the number of immigrants allowed to enter the country based on their nationality. It aimed to reduce immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and virtually excluded Asians.

Scottsboro Case

Involved nine African American teenagers who were falsely accused of raping two white women on a train in Alabama in 1931. The case highlighted racial injustice in the American legal system and led to several landmark Supreme Court decisions.

Flappers

young women in the 1920s known for her bold fashion, rebellious behavior, and progressive attitudes. Challenged traditional gender norms by wearing short skirts, bobbing their hair, and engaging in activities like smoking and dancing.

Scopes Trial

A 1925 legal case in Tennessee that tested the legality of teaching evolution in public schools. A high school teacher was accused of violating a state law that prohibited the teaching of evolution. The trial highlighted the conflict between science and religion.

John Steinbeck

an American author known for his novels depicting the struggles of working-class Americans during the Great Depression. His notable works include "The Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice and Men," and "East of Eden."

Charles Lindbergh

An American aviator who became famous for making the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.

Jack Dempsey

A popular American heavyweight boxer in the 1920s, known for his aggressive fighting style and significant impact on the sport.

Babe Ruth

An iconic American baseball player, known for his impressive hitting power and numerous records in Major League Baseball, particularly with the New York Yankees.

Fundamentalism

A movement in American Protestantism that emerged in the early 20th century, advocating a return to traditional religious beliefs and strict adherence to the Bible. It opposed modernist interpretations of Christianity.

Hawley Smoot Tariff

A U.S. law enacted in 1930 that imposed high tariffs on imported goods. Intended to protect American industries during the Great Depression, it led to a decline in international trade and worsened economic conditions.

“Lost Generation”

A group of American writers in the 1920s who were disillusioned by the aftermath of World War I and skeptical of traditional values. Prominent members include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein.

Teapot Dome Scandal

A major political scandal in the 1920s involving the secret leasing of federal oil reserves by Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall. It exposed corruption within the Harding administration and led to significant public outrage.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

A U.S. government agency established in 1932 to provide financial support to banks, industries, and other institutions during the Great Depression. It aimed to stimulate economic recovery.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural, social, and artistic movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem, New York. It celebrated African American culture and produced significant works in literature, music, art, and performance. Key figures include Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington.

Black Tuesday

October 29, 1929, the day the stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression. It marked the beginning of widespread financial panic and economic hardship in the United States.

Bonus Army

A group of World War I veterans who marched to Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand early payment of a promised bonus for their military service. The protest was met with force, leading to a violent clash with federal troops.

AI Capone/Organized Crime

A notorious American gangster during the Prohibition era, known for his involvement in organized crime, including bootlegging, gambling, and violence. He became a symbol of the lawlessness and corruption of the time.

Dust Bowl

A period of severe dust storms and environmental degradation in the Great Plains during the 1930s. It resulted from drought and poor farming practices, leading to widespread crop failures and mass migration.

20th Amendment

Ratified in 1933, changed the dates for the beginning and ending of the terms of the President, Vice President, and members of Congress. It aimed to reduce the "lame-duck" period between elections and inaugurations.