Key Events and Cultural Shifts in 20th Century America

1920s Economy

Period of economic prosperity driven by mass production, consumerism, and stock market speculation.

Flappers

Young women who challenged traditional norms by wearing shorter dresses, cutting their hair, and openly socializing.

Harlem Renaissance

A flourishing of African American culture in art, music (especially jazz), and literature.

Red Summer (1919)

A series of race riots in cities across the U.S. due to racial tensions and returning Black WWI veterans demanding equality.

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted through the 1930s.

Stock Market Crash (1929)

"Black Tuesday" marked the collapse of the stock market, triggering the Great Depression.

The Dust Bowl (1930s)

Severe drought and poor farming practices led to massive dust storms, displacing thousands.

The New Deal (1933-1939)

A series of programs and reforms by FDR to provide relief, recovery, and reform.

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)

Jobs for young men.

WPA (Works Progress Administration)

Infrastructure and arts projects.

SSA (Social Security Act)

Pensions for the elderly and unemployment insurance.

FDIC

Insured bank deposits.

Hoovervilles

Makeshift shantytowns named after President Hoover, who was blamed for the crisis.

World War II (1939-1945)

Global conflict involving most of the world's nations.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Harsh reparations on Germany; led to resentment and rise of Hitler.

Axis vs. Allied Powers

Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan; Allies: U.S., Britain, Soviet Union, China, France.

Japanese Internment

Over 110,000 Japanese Americans forced into internment camps during WWII (Executive Order 9066).

Holocaust

Genocide of 6 million Jews and millions of others by Nazi Germany.

Nuremberg Laws (1935)

Stripped Jews of citizenship and prohibited intermarriage.

Final Solution

Nazi plan for the systematic extermination of Jews.

U.S. Presidents during WWII

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) and Harry S. Truman (1945) - authorized atomic bomb use.

Women during WWII

Took on industrial jobs ('Rosie the Riveter'), served in auxiliary military roles.

Totalitarianism

Government has total control (e.g., Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Soviet Union under Stalin).

Bracero Program

Agreement with Mexico to bring in laborers for U.S. farms due to wartime shortages.

Cold War (1947-1991)

Global confrontation between the Soviet Union and the U.S.

Truman Doctrine (1947)

U.S. policy to support countries resisting communism (initially Greece and Turkey).

Marshall Plan (1948)

U.S. economic aid to rebuild Europe and prevent the spread of communism.

NATO (1949)

Military alliance among Western democracies; an attack on one is an attack on all.

Warsaw Pact (1955)

Soviet-led military alliance with Eastern Bloc nations in response to NATO.

McCarthyism (Early 1950s)

Era of intense fear of communism led by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Bay of Pigs (1961)

Failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro.