The Roaring Twenties
A period of economic prosperity, social change, and cultural transformation in the 1920s.
Isolationism
U.S. foreign policy stance in the 1920s, avoiding involvement in European conflicts.
The Harlem Renaissance
A cultural movement centered in Harlem, New York, celebrating African American art, music, and literature in the 1920s.
The Red Scare
Fear of communism and radical leftist ideologies following the Russian Revolution, leading to the Palmer Raids.
Prohibition (18th Amendment)
The nationwide ban on the sale, production, and transportation of alcohol (1920–1933).
The Stock Market Crash (1929)
The major financial collapse that marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
The Great Depression
A severe economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the United States’ entry into World War II.
Bonus Army
A group of WWI veterans who marched on Washington in 1932 demanding early payment of bonuses promised to them.
Dust Bowl
A period of severe dust storms and agricultural failure in the 1930s that displaced many farmers, especially in the Great
Plains.
Social Security Act (1935)
A New Deal program providing financial assistance to the elderly, unemployed, and disadvantaged citizens.
Key Programs Under Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover:
1. Warren G. Harding (1921-1923)
"Return to Normalcy": Harding's slogan advocating for a return to pre-World War I policies and a focus on economic
growth.
Teapot Dome Scandal: A major political scandal involving the illegal leasing of federal oil reserves.
Fordney-McCumber Tariff (1922): Raised tariffs on foreign goods to protect American businesses.
2. Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
Laissez-faire economic policies: A belief in minimal government intervention in business affairs.
Tax Cuts: Implemented tax cuts, particularly for corporations and the wealthy, to stimulate the economy.
Immigration Act of 1924: Restricted immigration, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe.3. Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)
V olunteerism: Hoover's belief that businesses and individuals should voluntarily work together to help alleviate the effects
of the Depression.
Hawley-Smoot Tariff (1930): Raised tariffs on foreign goods, worsening the global economic downturn.
Reconstruction Finance Corporation (1932): Created to provide emergency funding to banks, railroads, and other
institutions, though it was not widely effective in addressing the Depression's scope.
Key New Deal Programs Under FDR:
FDR's New Deal (1933-1939):
First New Deal (1933)
Banking Relief Act (1933): Authorized bank holidays and the reorganization of failing banks.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): Provided jobs to young men in environmental conservation and public works
projects.
Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): Aimed to raise agricultural prices by reducing production through subsidies to
farmers.
National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA): Created the Public Works Administration (PWA) to stimulate industrial growth
and employment.
Second New Deal (1935-1938)
Social Security Act (1935): Established a system of old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid to families with
dependent children.
Wagner Act (1935): Strengthened labor unions and protected workers’ rights to organize.
Works Progress Administration (WPA): Employed millions of jobless people to carry out public works projects, including
the construction of public buildings and roads.
Fair Labor Standards Act (1938): Established minimum wage and maximum working hours laws.
Relief, Recovery, and Reform
Relief: Immediate action to aid the unemployed and poor (e.g., CCC, WPA).
Recovery: Programs aimed at stimulating economic recovery (e.g., NIRA, AAA).
Reform: Long-term changes to prevent future depressions (e.g., Social Security, FDIC
Flashcards based on key topics and definitions related to the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression:
The Roaring Twenties: A period of economic prosperity, social change, and cultural transformation in the 1920s.
Isolationism: U.S. foreign policy stance in the 1920s, avoiding involvement in European conflicts.
The Harlem Renaissance: A cultural movement centered in Harlem, celebrating African American art, music, and literature in the 1920s.
The Red Scare: Fear of communism and radical ideologies following the Russian Revolution, leading to the Palmer Raids.
Prohibition: The nationwide ban on the sale, production, and transportation of alcohol from 1920 to 1933.
The Stock Market Crash: The major financial collapse in 1929 that marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
The Great Depression: A severe economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the U.S. entry into WWII.
Bonus Army: WWI veterans who marched on Washington in 1932 demanding early payment of bonuses.
Dust Bowl: A period of severe dust storms in the 1930s that displaced many farmers.
Social Security Act: A New Deal program from 1935 providing assistance to the elderly and disadvantaged citizens.
Warren G. Harding: U.S. president (1921-1923) advocating for a "Return to Normalcy" and involved in the Teapot Dome Scandal.
Calvin Coolidge: U.S. president (1923-1929) known for laissez-faire policies and tax cuts.
Herbert Hoover: U.S. president (1929-1933) advocating for volunteerism during the Depression.
New Deal: A series of programs and reforms by FDR from 1933-1939 to combat the Great Depression.