mar 13, 2025 notes

  • Theme of Urban vs. Rural America

    • Strong sense of conflict between urban America (big cities) and rural America (small towns) during the 1920s.
    • Historical dominance by rural America until 1920, when urban populations surpassed rural populations.
    • Concerns about urban culture perceived as immoral and corrupting, leading to fears about societal changes.

  • Scope of Major Events and Movements

    • Scopes Monkey Trial - A landmark legal case regarding the teaching of evolution versus creationism.
    • Rise of the Ku Klux Klan - Resurgence of white supremacist groups during this era.
    • Prohibition - Initiated in response to urban problems such as crime and alcoholism, with rural America supporting it; enforcement was challenging, especially in border communities.

  • Political Landscape of the 1920s

    • The decade characterized by Republican dominance.
    • Warren Harding - Often regarded as one of the worst presidents in U.S. history due to corruption and scandal within his administration.
    • Died in office in 1923.
    • Calvin Coolidge - Succeeded Harding, known as “Silent Cal”, characterized by quiet demeanor and pro-business policies.
    • Advocated for minimal government intervention in business.
    • Herbert Hoover - Followed Coolidge, perceived as a competent leader until the financial crash.
    • His administration was marked by the onset of the Great Depression in 1929.

  • Economic Policies

    • The Republican philosophy was pro-business and laissez-faire.
    • Tax Policy:
    • Trickle-Down Economics - Cutting taxes for the wealthy with the belief that it will stimulate the economy and eventually benefit everyone.
    • Advocated by politicians like Andrew Mellon, stressing the need to reduce taxes for the wealthy.
    • An opposing view is Trickle-Up Economics, which advocates for lower taxes on the working and middle classes, believing they would spend the savings, thus stimulating the economy.

  • Nineteenth Amendment

    • Ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote.
    • Initial expectations of a significant impact on political landscapes proved overly optimistic as women's votes were divided, reflecting broader societal divisions.

  • Scandals of the Harding Administration

    • Notable for corruption through appointments of friends to government positions, leading to embezzlement and scandals.
    • Claims of personal scandals including alleged extramarital affairs and a love child surfaced after his death.

  • Calvin Coolidge's Presidency

    • Known for a lack of charisma yet viewed as honest.
    • Popular during his term but declined to run again after the death of his son.

  • Election of 1928

    • Herbert Hoover vs. Al Smith (the first Catholic major party nominee).
    • Hoover's platform included promises of prosperity, like "two chickens in every pot".
    • Smith struggled due to anti-Catholic sentiments, losing most southern states due to a perception of loyalty to the Pope over the U.S.

  • Conclusion and Hoover’s Legacy

    • Hoover entered office during a prosperous time but faced immediate economic collapse, which led to blame he still bears today.
    • The Great Depression began shortly after his inauguration, setting the foundation for his historical reputation as lacking effectiveness amid crisis.