Study Aid – Unit 2: Topic 8 Summary

Key Terms

• Cultural Backlash to WWI
  Reaction against modern values after the war.

• First Red Scare
  Fear of communism following the Russian Revolution.

• Red Summer
  Racial violence and riots across the USA in 1919.

• Palmer Raids
  Government actions against suspected radicals in 1920.

• Sacco & Vanzetti
  High-profile trial of two Italian immigrants charged with murder, illustrating nativism.

• Revival of the KKK
  Growth of the Ku Klux Klan, targeting not only African Americans but immigrants and others.

• Immigration restriction (National Origins Acts)
  Laws limiting immigration based on nationality.

• Modernization of the 1920s
  Rapid technological advances and social changes.

• Henry Ford & mass production
  Revolutionized industry with the assembly line, making cars affordable.

• Role of Advertising & mass consumption
  Shift towards consumerism driven by advertisements.

• Sexual attitudes
  Changing views on sexuality and women’s roles in society.

• Sports, arts, music in the 1920s
  Rise of celebrities and cultural icons.

• Charles Lindbergh
  Notable aviator symbolizing the spirit of adventure.

• “Babe” Ruth
  Baseball superstar, symbol of American culture in sports.

• Mary Pickford
  Iconic actress of the film industry during this era.

• Great Migration
  Large-scale movement of African Americans to northern cities for jobs and opportunities.

• Harlem Renaissance
  Flourishing of African American arts and culture in Harlem.

• Louis Armstrong
  Influential jazz musician during the Harlem Renaissance.

• Marcus Garvey
  Leader advocating for Black pride and economic independence.

• The “New” Negro
  Concept of African American identity during the Harlem Renaissance.

• 19th Amendment
  Granted women the right to vote.

• The “New” American woman
  Emerging role of women in public life.

• The Flapper
  Young women embracing new fashions and social freedoms.

• Alice Paul & Equal Rights Amendment
  Advocate for women’s rights and gender equality.

• Prohibition/18th Amendment
  Outlawed alcohol, leading to speakeasies and illegal trade.

• Alphonse “Al” Capone
  Notorious gangster who rose to power during Prohibition.

• George Remus
  Notable bootlegger during Prohibition.

• Roy Olmstead
  Cop turned bootlegger, illustrating law enforcement's challenges.

• Christian Fundamentalism
  Conservative religious movement opposing modern secular values.

• Scopes Trial
  Legal case questioning the teaching of evolution in schools.

Short Answer Questions

1. Watershed Year of 1919
   Global changes post-WWI, including social upheaval, economic challenges, and the rise of radical ideologies.

2. Role of the Automobile
   Catalyst for economic growth, symbol of freedom and success; Henry Ford's assembly line made cars accessible.

3. Origins & Effects of Consumer Culture
   Emerged from advertising; critical for economic prosperity in the 1920s as consumer goods became central to lifestyle.

4. Impact of Prohibition
   Led to rise in organized crime, societal conflicts; challenging to enforce due to widespread noncompliance.

Possible Essay Questions

1. Tension Between Modernism and Traditionalism
   Discuss three major events (e.g., New Woman, Prohibition, Scopes Trial) illustrating cultural conflict.

2. Understanding the Roaring Twenties
   Analyze key events (e.g., KKK revival, economic disparity, racial tensions) that challenge the modern image of the era.