Roaring 20s
Roaring 20s Study Notes
Key Figures and Policies
Warren G. Harding
President known for calling for a "Return to Normalcy" following World War I.
Sought to restore America to pre-war conditions by re-establishing stable economic conditions.
Return to Normalcy
Emphasized a few key principles:
End of Progressive Reforms
Lower taxes
Less government regulation
Teapot Dome Scandal
Major government scandal involving the leasing of a former U.S. Navy oil reserve located in Wyoming to a private oil company in 1921.
It highlighted issues of corruption within Harding's administration.
Calvin Coolidge
Became president upon Harding's death due to pneumonia.
Known for his rigid economy in both financial matters and speech, earning him the nickname "Silent Cal" due to his soft-spoken nature.
An advocate of Republican values that supported big businesses.
Supply Side Economics
Economic theory positing that reducing tax rates will stimulate economic growth.
Aimed to encourage investment and savings among individuals and business entities.
Cooperative Individualism
A policy initiated by President Hoover that encouraged manufacturers and distributors to organize collaboratively and provide voluntary information to the federal government as a means to stimulate the economy.
Effect: Decline of labor unions as companies pursued individual organizational structures rather than collective bargaining.
Post-War Economic Context
US Post-War Plans
United States was owed over $10 billion in wartime debts.
American society expressed a desire for isolationism, yet the economy remained intricately linked with various European nations.
Washington Conference Agreements
Naval disarmament aimed at preventing an arms race by limiting naval construction among participating countries.
Kellogg-Briand Pact: Aimed to outlaw war and resolve international disputes and conflicts through negotiation.
Economic Developments in the 1920s
Credit
Introduction of "Buy now, pay later" systems via installment plans that enabled more consumer spending.
Advertising in the 1920s
Transitioned from providing mere information to persuading consumers into believing that purchases would enhance their lives by offering prestige and glamour.
Groups Excluded from Consumer Society
Notable groups that were less able to partake in the consumer boom included Farmers, Immigrants, Native Americans, and African Americans.
Farm Crisis
Resulted from overproduction of crops, leading to farmers earning one-third less than their normal income.
Social Tensions and Movements
Nativism
The practice of favoring the interests of native-born people over those of immigrants, manifesting in legislative and social discrimination.
Sacco and Vanzetti
Italian immigrants accused of murder and robbery in 1920.
The evidence at their trial was highly questionable, leading to allegations of prejudice and injustice.
Ku Klux Klan
Organization that promotes hatred and discrimination against specific ethnic and religious groups, particularly Jews and African Americans.
National Origins Act
Restrictive immigration legislation enacted in 1924 that limited immigration to 2% of each nationality based on figures from the 1890 census.
Cultural Change and Movements
1920s Hero Worship
A cultural phenomenon where society began idolizing prominent individuals who gained fame and recognition for their achievements, leading to public discourse about their contributions and the socio-political context of their eras.
New Morality
A societal shift during the 1920s that rejected traditional values in favor of celebrating wealth and personal freedom.
Flappers
Young women who challenged social norms through their clothing and behavior, embodying the spirit of modernity.
Key Historical Events
Scopes Monkey Trial
A 1925 trial that set the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution against the biblical creationism narrative in American schools.
John Scopes
A Tennessee high school teacher charged for violating state law by teaching evolution, symbolizing the conflict between science and religion during the era.
Prohibition
The period from 1920 to 1933 during which the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages were prohibited in the United States due to the 18th Amendment.
18th Amendment
Constitutional amendment that banned the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol.
Volstead Act
A law enacted by Congress to provide for the enforcement of the 18th Amendment and to declare the manufacture and distribution of alcohol illegal within the United States.
21st Amendment
Amendment that repealed Prohibition, thus ending the enforcement of the 18th Amendment.
Speakeasies
Secret bars where illegal alcohol could be purchased, becoming popular during Prohibition.
Al Capone
Notorious mob leader in Chicago who ran an extensive network of speakeasies, highlighting the challenges of enforcing Prohibition and the rise of organized crime during the 1920s.
Demographic Shifts
Great Migration
A significant movement where over 300,000 African Americans relocated from rural southern areas to northern cities between 1914 and 1920, seeking better economic opportunities and living conditions.
Harlem Renaissance
An intellectual, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, during the 1920s, highlighting African American culture and achievements in arts, music, and literature.
Cotton Club
A famous nightclub located in Harlem, emblematic of the cultural and entertainment boom experienced during the Harlem Renaissance.
W. E. B. Du Bois
A prominent advocate for African American rights who played a crucial role in the establishment of the NAACP, aiming for civil rights and social justice.
NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
The most powerful civil rights organization focused on fighting for African American rights through legal means.
Marcus Garvey
An influential African American leader in the 1920s who founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, promoting the idea of mass migration of African Americans back to Africa.
He was later deported to Jamaica in 1927 due to his controversial political activities.