US History WWI and Roaring 20's

World War I

1. Opposition to US involvement
   Before entering World War I, many Americans opposed US involvement due to the country’s isolationist policies and cultural ties to both sides of the conflict. German Americans, Irish Americans, pacifists, and some Progressives argued that the US should focus on domestic reform instead of war. Additionally, some feared the economic burden and potential loss of American lives.

2. Spanish Flu
   The 1918 influenza pandemic, known as the Spanish Flu, was a global health crisis that coincided with the end of World War I. It killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide, including over 675,000 Americans. The virus spread quickly due to crowded conditions in military camps and global troop movements. Public health systems were overwhelmed, and the pandemic significantly disrupted societies.

3. Zimmerman Telegram
   A secret message sent by Germany to Mexico in January 1917 proposing an alliance against the United States. Germany promised to help Mexico regain territories lost during the Mexican-American War (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona) if the US entered the war. The British intercepted the telegram and shared it with the US, which fueled American public outrage and led to US entry into the war.

4. Espionage and Sedition Acts
   Enacted during World War I, the Espionage Act of 1917 made it illegal to interfere with military operations or recruitment, while the Sedition Act of 1918 expanded these restrictions to include speech critical of the government, Constitution, or war effort. These laws were used to suppress dissent, prosecute anti-war activists, and silence critics. They were criticized for infringing on First Amendment rights.

5. War Industries Board
   Established in 1917, the War Industries Board (WIB) was a federal agency tasked with coordinating the production of war materials and supplies. It prioritized resource allocation, standardized products, and regulated prices. Led by Bernard Baruch, the WIB played a key role in mobilizing the US economy for war and improving industrial efficiency.

6. US Opposition to League of Nations
   The League of Nations was part of President Woodrow Wilson’s plan for a lasting peace after World War I. However, many in the US, particularly isolationist senators, opposed joining the League, arguing it would entangle the US in future conflicts and limit its sovereignty. This opposition led to the Senate rejecting the Treaty of Versailles, preventing the US from joining the League.

7. Goal of Wilson's 14 Points
   President Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points outlined his vision for a postwar world. The key goals included promoting self-determination for nations, reducing armaments, ensuring freedom of the seas, encouraging free trade, and establishing a League of Nations to resolve international disputes peacefully. The plan aimed to address the root causes of war and prevent future conflicts.

Roaring 20's

1. Immigration Quotas
   Laws such as the Immigration Act of 1924 introduced strict quotas on immigration, severely limiting the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe and nearly banning immigration from Asia. These quotas reflected widespread nativist and xenophobic sentiments in the US, driven by fears of economic competition and cultural change.

2. Charles Lindbergh
   Charles Lindbergh became a national hero in 1927 after completing the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, traveling from New York to Paris in his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis. His achievement symbolized American innovation and ushered in a new era of aviation.

3. Scopes Monkey Trial
   The 1925 trial of high school teacher John Scopes in Tennessee tested a law that banned the teaching of evolution in public schools. The trial highlighted the cultural clash between modern science and traditional religious values. Defense attorney Clarence Darrow and prosecutor William Jennings Bryan debated the issue, drawing national attention.

4. Sacco and Vanzetti
   Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, Italian immigrants and anarchists, were convicted of murder during a robbery in 1920. Despite weak evidence, they were executed in 1927, sparking global protests and raising concerns about anti-immigrant bias and the fairness of the American legal system.

5. Support for Prohibition
   Prohibition, enacted by the 18th Amendment in 1920, was supported by religious groups, temperance advocates, and rural communities. They believed banning alcohol would reduce crime, improve public health, and strengthen family life. Prohibition reflected broader efforts at moral reform in the Progressive Era.

6. Long-term effect of Bull Market
   The 1920s saw a speculative boom in the stock market, with many Americans investing heavily. Overconfidence in the market’s stability led to risky investments. The stock market crash of 1929 marked the end of this bull market, plunging the US into the Great Depression.

7. Teapot Dome Scandal
   This major corruption scandal during President Harding’s administration involved the illegal leasing of federal oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, to private companies in exchange for bribes. It damaged public trust in the government and became a symbol of corruption.

8. A. Mitchell Palmer and the Palmer Raids
   As Attorney General, Palmer led a series of raids in 1919 and 1920 targeting suspected radicals, communists, and anarchists. Thousands were arrested without warrants, and many were deported. The raids were part of the First Red Scare and reflected fears of a communist revolution in the US.

9. Al Capone
   Al Capone was a notorious gangster who dominated organized crime in Chicago during Prohibition. He profited from bootlegging, gambling, and other illegal activities. Despite his power and influence, he was eventually convicted of tax evasion in 1931.

10. Red Scare
    The Red Scare was a period of intense fear of communism and radicalism in the US after World War I. It was fueled by labor strikes, anarchist bombings, and the Russian Revolution. The fear led to widespread crackdowns on suspected radicals and immigrants.

11. Great Migration
    During and after World War I, millions of African Americans migrated from the rural South to urban centers in the North and West. They sought better economic opportunities and an escape from racial violence and segregation. This migration transformed American cities and contributed to the Harlem Renaissance.

12. Increase in leisure activities
    The 1920s saw a rise in consumer culture and entertainment industries. Radios, jazz music, movies, and professional sports became popular. The increase in leisure time and disposable income allowed Americans to enjoy these new forms of entertainment.

13. Assembly Line
    Henry Ford’s use of the assembly line revolutionized manufacturing by increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Workers performed repetitive tasks, which allowed for the mass production of affordable goods like the Model T car.

14. Fundamentalists' view of alcohol on society
    Religious fundamentalists believed alcohol was responsible for moral decay, crime, and family breakdown. This perspective was a driving force behind the Prohibition movement, which sought to ban alcohol entirely.

15. "Double Standard"
    This term refers to the unequal social expectations for men and women during the 1920s. While men were often praised for behaviors like casual dating or independence, women who engaged in similar activities faced judgment and restrictions.

16. Crime in the 1920s
    Prohibition contributed to a rise in organized crime as gangsters like Al Capone profited from bootlegging and running speakeasies. Violent crime and corruption became widespread as law enforcement struggled to control the illegal alcohol trade.

17. Famous Jazz musicians in North
    Jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith rose to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance. Their music became a defining cultural force of the 1920s, breaking racial barriers and influencing future generations.

18. Legacy of Harding White House
    President Warren G. Harding’s administration was plagued by scandals, including Teapot Dome. His promise of a “return to normalcy” after World War I was overshadowed by corruption among his appointees.

19. 1920's Union Membership
    Union membership declined during the 1920s due to economic prosperity, hostility toward organized labor, and government policies favoring businesses. Workers were less motivated to unionize during a period of economic growth.

20. Anti-Prohibition and taxes
    Opponents of Prohibition argued that legalizing alcohol would reduce crime, create jobs, and provide tax revenue for the government. These arguments gained traction as the negative effects of Prohibition became clear.

21. Ford employee perks
    Henry Ford provided his workers with higher wages ($5 a day) and shorter work hours, setting a new standard for labor practices. This enabled many of his employees to afford the cars they built, boosting morale and productivity.

22. Methods of avoiding Prohibition laws
    During Prohibition, people evaded the law through underground bars (speakeasies), bootlegging operations, smuggling alcohol from abroad, and producing homemade liquor (moonshine). These methods fueled a thriving black market for alcohol.