Chapter 22 American Yawp

Warren Harding: _______ was the 29th President of the United States (1921–1923). His presidency is often remembered for its scandals, such as the Teapot Dome scandal. _______ promoted a return to “normalcy” after World War I, advocating for limited government intervention in the economy. His administration, however, was marred by corruption, and Harding himself died suddenly in 1923.

“The Ohio Gang”: This was a group of Harding’s friends and political allies from Ohio who filled government positions during his presidency. Many members of the _______ were involved in corrupt practices, with the Teapot Dome scandal being the most notorious example. They were criticized for their personal and political ties to Harding and their disregard for the public interest.

Teapot Dome Scandal: A major political scandal during Harding’s presidency. It involved the leasing of federal oil reserves, including those at _______ in Wyoming, to private companies in exchange for bribes. The scandal was a significant embarrassment for Harding’s administration and led to the conviction of several high-ranking officials.

Calvin Coolidge: The 30th President of the United States (1923–1929), _______ succeeded Harding after his death. _______ was known for his pro-business policies and laissez-faire attitude, famously saying, “The business of America is business.” His presidency is often associated with the prosperity of the 1920s.

Consumer Revolution: Refers to the explosion in consumer goods and services in the 1920s, driven by mass production, advertising, and the rise of consumer credit. Cars, radios, refrigerators, and other products became staples in American households, transforming the economy and everyday life.

Installment Purchasing: This refers to a form of credit in which consumers could pay for goods over time in monthly installments. It became a hallmark of the consumer revolution in the 1920s, allowing more people to purchase expensive items like automobiles and home appliances. However, this also contributed to the growing levels of consumer debt.

Popular Culture: In the 1920s, American popular culture was shaped by the rise of mass media (e.g., radio, movies, and advertising) and new forms of entertainment. Jazz music, Hollywood movies, and the cultural revolution of the "Roaring Twenties" made culture more accessible and widespread.

Tin Pan Alley: A district in New York City that became the center of American popular music in the early 20th century. _______ was home to many music publishers, and its composers wrote countless songs that became staples of American popular culture in the 1920s, particularly in jazz and Broadway shows.

The Jazz Singer: The 1927 film _______ was the first feature-length movie with synchronized sound. It marked the beginning of the "talkie" era, revolutionizing the film industry and propelling stars like Al Jolson into fame. The film’s success symbolized the new age of cinema in the 1920s.

Mary Pickford: An American actress and one of the most famous film stars of the silent film era. She was known as “America’s Sweetheart” and played a significant role in shaping the early film industry. _______ also co-founded the United Artists film studio.

Flappers: Young women in the 1920s who defied traditional expectations of behavior and dress. _______ were known for wearing short skirts, bobbed hair, and engaging in activities like smoking and drinking in public. They symbolized the social and cultural changes of the Roaring Twenties.

Guglielmo Marconi: An Italian inventor credited with developing the first successful long-distance wireless telegraphy system. His work laid the foundation for radio communication, which became a central part of American popular culture in the 1920s.

Jazz: A genre of music that emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in African American communities. _______ became a defining sound of the 1920s, symbolizing the era’s cultural transformation. _______ was known for its improvisation, syncopation, and influence on American music and culture.

Charles Lindbergh: An American aviator who became a national hero after completing the first solo, non-stop transatlantic flight in 1927. His achievement captured the imagination of the American public and symbolized the spirit of technological innovation and adventure in the 1920s.

Great Migration: The movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North between 1916 and 1970. This migration was motivated by the search for better economic opportunities, escape from racial segregation, and the promise of greater freedom in northern cities. It also contributed to the flourishing of African American culture, particularly in cities like Harlem.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural movement that began in the 1920s, centered in Harlem, New York. The _______ was a blossoming of African American art, literature, music, and intellectual thought. Figures like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington were central to this period.

Marcus Garvey: A Jamaican-born political leader and activist who promoted Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism in the 1920s. _______ founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and encouraged African Americans to take pride in their heritage and work toward self-sufficiency.

UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association): Founded by Marcus Garvey in 1914, aimed to unite all people of African descent to promote social, political, and economic empowerment. The _______ advocated for Black pride, self-reliance, and the establishment of a strong, unified global Black community.

National Origins Act: Passed in 1924, this law aimed to limit immigration to the U.S. by establishing quotas based on national origins. It heavily favored immigrants from Western and Northern Europe, while severely restricting those from Southern and Eastern Europe, and excluding Asians altogether. This was a reflection of the growing nativist sentiment in the 1920s.

Christian Fundamentalism: A movement within American Protestantism in the 1920s that advocated for a literal interpretation of the Bible and rejected modernist ideas about science and religion. The movement gained national attention during the Scopes Trial (1925), when John Scopes was tried for teaching evolution in a Tennessee public school.

John Scopes: A Tennessee high school teacher who was arrested in 1925 for teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in violation of state law. The _______ Trial, also known as the "Monkey Trial," pitted modernist views against religious fundamentalism and became a landmark case in the debate over science, religion, and education.

ACLU (The American Civil Liberties Union): Founded in 1920, played a central role in defending civil rights, including freedom of speech and religion. The ACLU represented John Scopes in the Scopes Trial, advocating for the right to teach evolution in schools.

KKK: Saw a resurgence in the 1920s, especially in the South and Midwest. This second iteration of the Klan targeted not only African Americans but also immigrants, Catholics, Jews, and other groups it considered un-American. It’s influence was felt politically, and its actions fueled racial and religious tensions throughout the decade.