APUSH 1920s Notes

  1. Esch-Cummins Transportation Act (1920)

    • Returned railroads to private control after WWI and established the Railroad Labor Board. Reflected post-war deregulation and labor-management tensions.

  2. Washington Disarmament Conference (1921-1922)

    • Aimed to limit naval armaments and reduce Pacific conflict. Showed America's desire for peace but lacked enforcement mechanisms.

  3. Nine-Power Treaty (1922)

    • Affirmed the Open Door Policy in China, promoting equal trade and sovereignty. Highlighted America's diplomatic efforts but failed to prevent future aggression.

  4. Five-Power Treaty (1922)

    • Limited naval armaments among major powers. Temporarily eased tensions but failed to address underlying rivalries.

  5. Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)

    • Renounced war as a tool of national policy. Symbolized 1920s idealism but lacked enforcement, making it ineffective.

  6. Fordney-McCumber Tariff (1922)

    • Raised import duties to protect U.S. industries. Reflected 1920s isolationism but harmed international trade and contributed to the Great Depression.

  7. Teapot Dome Scandal (1921-1923)

    • Involved bribery in leasing federal oil reserves. Exposed corruption in the Harding administration and increased demand for government accountability.

  8. Calvin Coolidge

    • President (1923-1929) who promoted pro-business, limited-government policies. Fueled 1920s growth but contributed to speculative excesses.

  9. Dawes Plan (1924)

    • Restructured Germany's reparations and provided U.S. loans. Temporarily stabilized Europe but tied the global economy to unsustainable debt.

  10. Election of 1928

    • Herbert Hoover defeated Al Smith, highlighting divisions over religion, prohibition, and urbanization. Set the stage for Hoover's presidency during the Great Depression.

  11. Hawley-Smoot Tariff (1930)

    • Raised tariffs to record levels, aiming to protect jobs. Backfired by worsening global trade and deepening the Great Depression.

  12. Black Tuesday (October 29, 1929)

    • Stock market crash marking the start of the Great Depression. Symbolized the collapse of 1920s speculative excesses.

  13. Causes of the Great Depression

    • Included stock market speculation, overproduction, unequal wealth, and weak banking systems. Led to widespread suffering and government intervention.

  14. Hoovervilles

    • Shantytowns built by homeless Americans during the Great Depression. Symbolized Hoover's failure to address the crisis and widespread desperation.

  15. Bonus Army (1932)

    • WWI veterans marched to demand early payment of bonuses. Their violent dispersal damaged Hoover's reputation and highlighted government inaction.