STUDY GUIDE: The Roaring 20s through the New Deal

Note to Students:

This guide supports your preparation for the upcoming unit assessment. It highlights key events, people, and policies from the 1920s through the New Deal era. While this guide reflects major themes and content, some questions on the test may present new material or ask you to apply what you’ve learned in unfamiliar ways. Be ready to think critically!

Politics & Sentiment After WWI

“Return to Normalcy” (Harding, 1920): Americans wanted a return to prewar life—less government activism, fewer international entanglements, and a focus on domestic stability.
→ Key Terms: Isolationism, conservatism, anti-reform backlash
U.S. Foreign Policy in the 1920s: Isolationism!!!

Social & Cultural Shifts in the 1920s

The New Woman & Flappers
Harlem Renaissance
Cultural Conflicts
- modernity vs. tradition—
  Scopes Trial (evolution vs. religion in schools)
- Rise of Fundamentalism (e.g., Aimee Semple McPherson)
- Prohibition (18th Amendment, Volstead Act)

Immigration & Nativism

Immigration Act of 1924: Quotas based on the 1890 census limited immigration, especially from Southern/Eastern Europe and Asia.
→ Goal: Preserve traditional American demographics
→ Reflects: Rising nativism, fear of cultural change
Red Scare & Sacco and Vanzetti Trial:
Reflected fears of communism and distrust of immigrants

The Economy & the Great Depression

Stock Market Boom & Crash (1929):
Fueled by speculation and buying on margin
→ Crash revealed economic weaknesses: overproduction, underconsumption, income inequality
Unemployment (1929–1940): Rose to nearly 25% by 1933, slowly declined under New Deal programs but remained high until WWII.
Hoover’s Response:
Believed in rugged individualism—people should help themselves, not rely on the government
→ Created Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to aid big businesses, not individuals
→ Critics: too slow, helped the wealthy, resisted direct aid
Dust Bowl: Caused by over-farming and drought; led to massive migrations west, especially to California

The New Deal: Relief, Recovery, Reform

FDR’s Philosophy & Leadership:
- Inaugural Quote: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”
- Used Fireside Chats to connect directly with citizens, build confidence
Major New Deal Programs:
- CCC – Jobs for young men in conservation
- WPA – Public works jobs (roads, arts, etc.)
- TVA – Rural electrification and infrastructure
- FDIC – Insured bank deposits
- SEC – Regulated the stock market
- AAA – Paid farmers to reduce production
- NRA (National Recovery Administration) – Set business codes to stimulate the economy
- Social Security Act – Pensions for elderly, aid for unemployed and disabled
Wagner Act (1935): Protected workers’ rights to unionize and bargain collectively → Long-term: strengthened labor unions
Opposition to the New Deal:
- Huey Long (“Share Our Wealth”) – Wanted more radical wealth redistribution
- Supreme Court – Struck down parts of the New Deal; led to FDR’s court-packing plan
- Concerns about government overreach
Political Cartoons & Public Perception:
- Bricks labeled “relief, recovery, reform” symbolize New Deal’s goals
- Some questioned whether all these programs would succeed, but most supported bold action

Key Ideas to Know

Tension Between Tradition & Modernity: Seen in gender roles, religion, science, race relations, immigration
Shift in Government Role:
- 1920s: Laissez-faire, minimal federal intervention
- 1930s: Active government role in economic recovery and social welfare
Populist vs. Elite Tensions: New Deal was criticized both for doing too much (by conservatives) and too little (by populists like Huey Long)