The 1920s: Key Vocabulary Review

The 1920's: The Little Decade That Roared

Election of 1920

  • Republicans Nominate:

    • Warren Harding (Ohio)

    • Calvin Coolidge (Massachusetts)

  • Democrats Nominate:

    • James Cox (Ohio)

    • Franklin D. Roosevelt (New York)

  • Outcome: Harding wins by over 7 million votes.

Post-Election Developments

  • Eugene V. Debs:

    • Runs again as a Socialist while in jail.

    • Receives 900,000 votes.

  • Harding's Presidency:

    • Harding dies in 1923, Coolidge becomes President.

    • Woodrow Wilson dies in 1924, marking the end of the WWI era.

Isolationism and Red Scare

  • Shift in America:

    • Post-war disillusionment leads America to turn inward and embrace isolationism.

    • Emergence of the first “Red Scare,” characterized by hostility towards radicals.

    • A. Mitchell Palmer, the Attorney General, spearheads the Red Scare, which lasts until the 1930s and resurfaces in the 1950s.

Red Scare Events

  • Radicals:

    • Socialists, Anarchists, and Communists (Bolsheviks) are expelled from the U.S.

  • Sacco and Vanzetti Case:

    • Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, convicted of murder in 1921 based on flimsy evidence; become martyrs for their cause after execution in 1929.

Immigration Laws

  • Emergency Quota Act (1921):

    • Limited immigrants to 3% annually of those already residing in the U.S.

    • Favorable to Northern European immigrants.

  • National Origins Act (1924):

    • Reduced annual immigrants to 2% based on the census of 1890.

    • Aimed at Southern and Eastern Europeans, banned Japanese immigration, generating hostility.

Nativism and the Ku Klux Klan

  • Nativism:

    • Reflects a renewed attitude dating back to the 1850s and 1880s, marked by intimidation towards minorities, non-Christians, Catholics, and foreigners.

    • The Klan expands influence in politics.

    • Political downfall due to corruption among Klan leaders.

Harding Administration

  • Cabinet Issues:

    • Harding's struggle in forming a competent cabinet, known as the “Ohio Gang.”

    • Some appointees were effective, but many were criticized.

Notable Cabinet Appointments

  • Albert Fall (Sec. of Interior):

    • Involved in leasing naval oil reserves, notably Teapot Dome, to oil barons, leading to jail.

  • Charles Forbes (Veterans Bureau): Embezzled 200 million dollars and fled.

  • Harry Daugherty (Attorney General): Forced to resign over corruption.

  • Charles Evans Hughes (Secretary of State): Negotiated the Washington Naval Treaty.

  • Herbert Hoover (Secretary of Commerce): Focused on exports and infrastructure.

  • Andrew Mellon (Secretary of Treasury): Promoted tax cuts, appointed Taft to the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Appointments

  • Harding appointed 4 out of 9 justices.

  • Impact on labor laws and civil rights: Struck down progressive legislation, affected child labor laws and anti-trust regulations.

Tariff Policies

  • Many tariffs were enacted to regulate commerce and protect American businesses.

  • Negative impact on European recovery after WWI, leading to economic chaos.

Harding's Death

  • Time of Death:

    • Died in 1923 from thrombosis (blood clot/stroke) in San Francisco.

    • His legacy escapes scrutiny due to his death after cabinet scandals.

Calvin Coolidge's Presidency

  • Coolidge's Leadership:

    • Known for being a quiet, pro-business leader, reversing progressive measures.

    • Reelected in 1924 against John W. Davis (Democrat) and Bob Lafollette (Progressive).

Election of 1924

  • Results: Coolidge wins by 7 million votes over Davis.

  • Electoral Votes Breakdown:

    • Republican (Coolidge) 382, Democratic (Davis) 127, Progressive (La Follette) minor impact.

Economic Policies and International Debt

  • Economic issue arises due to WWI reparations imposed on Germany, leading to a cycle of debt among the US, UK, and France.

  • Total reparations assessed: 132 billion marks (approx. 31 billion dollars).

  • The Dawes Plan: Implemented to manage Germany's reparations payments and restore economic stability.

Election of 1928

  • Republicans nominate Herbert Hoover (Secretary of Commerce), noted for humanitarian efforts.

  • Democrats nominate Al Smith (Governor of NY) known for his urban lifestyle and support for repealing prohibition.

  • Hoover wins with a significant electoral lead despite media attacks on Smith.

Cultural Innovations in the 1920's

  • The Scopes Trial: John Scopes challenges anti-evolution laws in Tennessee, highlighting the conflict between science and religious fundamentalism.

  • Mass Consumption Economy: Emergence of mass production leads to increased consumerism and advertising.

  • Key Products: Development of products like Coca-Cola and various household appliances.

Significant Cultural Events

  • Radio and Movies:

    • Rise of radio as a cultural force, connecting the nation and influencing public opinion.

    • The era of silent films transitions to