The Interwar Years (1920s-1930s)

1920s: A Time of Change

• Prohibition: Nationwide ban on alcohol.

• Speakeasies: Illegal bars during Prohibition.

• Flappers: Young women rejecting traditional norms.

• Harlem Renaissance: African American cultural explosion.

1920s and 1930s: Immigration and Nativism

• Immigration Restrictions: Stricter laws due to nativism, including a Japanese ban.

1925: Scopes Trial

• The Scopes Trial (Monkey Trial): Trial over teaching evolution, highlighting the conflict between science and religious fundamentalism.

1930s: The Great Depression

• Economic Hardship: Worldwide economic depression.

• Unemployment: Massive unemployment and poverty.

• Hoovervilles: Shantytowns for the unemployed.

1930s: FDR's New Deal

• FDR's New Deal: Programs to restore prosperity.

• Federal Work Programs: Government employment initiatives.

• Farm Assistance Programs: Support for agriculture.

• Environmental Improvement Programs: Conservation projects.

• Increased Rights for Labor: Policies strengthening workers' rights.

• Social Security: Benefits for retirees, disabled, and unemployed.

1930s: Populists, Demagogues, and Cranks

• Populist Movements: Representing the common people.

• Demagogues: Leaders appealing to popular desires.

• The Townsend Plan: 200/month for those over 60 to stimulate the economy.

• Huey Long: Louisiana senator.

1930s: "Radio Priest"

• Father Coughlin: Controversial priest using radio.

• Criticism of the New Deal: Criticized Roosevelt.

• Anti-Semitism: Accusations against Coughlin.

• Hearst and Coughlin: Hearst media faced boycotts for supporting Coughlin.

Charles Lindbergh and America First Committee

• America First Committee: Isolationist group opposing WWII intervention.

Labor Relations

• CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations): Federation of industrial unions.

• UAW (United Automobile Workers): Union for auto workers.

• GM Sit-Down Strikes: Workers occupying plants for labor rights.