1920s American Studies Review Flashcards

What was the Great Migration? Movement of African Americans from the South to Northern cities.

Why did the Great Migration happen? To escape racism, find jobs, and build better lives.

Significance of the Great Migration? Changed urban demographics, helped launch the Harlem Renaissance.

What was the Harlem Renaissance? A cultural revival of Black art, music, and literature in Harlem.

Why was the Harlem Renaissance important? Elevated Black voices and reshaped American culture.

Who was Langston Hughes? A key poet of the Harlem Renaissance.

What was the Scopes Trial? Trial over teaching evolution in schools.

Why was the Scopes Trial important? Highlighted conflict between science and religion.

Outcome of the Scopes Trial? Scopes was found guilty, but the trial sparked national debate.

What did the KKK support in the 1920s? White supremacy, anti-immigration, anti-Catholic, anti-Semitism.

Why did the KKK grow in the 1920s? Reaction to rapid social change and immigration.

Who was a "New Woman" in the 1920s? Independent women breaking traditional roles (ex: flappers).

Who was Margaret Sanger? Birth control activist who challenged traditional norms.

What did flappers symbolize? Women’s independence, rebellion against norms.

What was Prohibition? Ban on alcohol under the 18th Amendment.

Why was Prohibition passed? Driven by temperance movement and moral reformers.

What was the result of Prohibition? Rise in organized crime, speakeasies.

What was Youth Culture in the 1920s? Young people rebelled with jazz, slang, parties.

What caused the rise in Youth Culture? More leisure time, prosperity, urbanization.

Significance of Youth Culture? Created new identity for American teenagers.

What is Eugenics? Pseudoscience promoting selective breeding.

Why was Eugenics embraced? Linked to racism, fear of immigrants, and social Darwinism.

Consequences of Eugenics? Sterilizations, anti-immigration policies.

What was the First Red Scare? Fear of communism after Russian Revolution.

How did the Red Scare affect the U.S.? Raids, deportations, anti-immigrant sentiment.

What is Nativism? Preference for native-born Americans; fear of foreigners.

What was the National Origins Act? 1924 law that set immigration quotas.

Why was the National Origins Act passed? To limit immigrants from Southern/Eastern Europe.

Who were Sacco and Vanzetti? Italian immigrants/anarchists executed with little evidence.

Significance of Sacco and Vanzetti case? Showed anti-immigrant bias in the justice system.

What is laissez-faire economics? Hands-off approach where the government doesn't regulate business.

Who were Harding and Coolidge? Presidents who promoted pro-business, conservative policies.

What was "Return to Normalcy"? Harding’s campaign promise to return to pre-WWI policies.

Impact of laissez-faire policies? Short-term boom, but helped cause the Great Depression.

Why did the 1920s economy boom? New tech, mass production, low taxes, credit.

What is consumerism? Buying goods as a sign of success and identity.

What role did credit play in the 1920s? Allowed people to buy more, but increased debt.

What is Modernism? Belief in progress, science, and challenging tradition.

What did Modernism challenge? Religion, Victorian values, rural norms.

Scopes Trial and Modernism? Trial represented clash between traditionalism and modernism.

How did new tech impact life? Radios, cars, appliances created more convenience and leisure.

What was the false sense of prosperity? People believed the economy was stable, but relied on credit.

Why did farms suffer in the 1920s? Overproduction and falling prices.

How did movies and sports affect culture? Created national celebrities and unified culture.

Who were Leopold and Loeb? Wealthy teens who committed murder, symbolized moral decline.

What did their trial reveal? Concerns about youth morality, modern ideas.

Essential Question: Change vs. Tradition—Example of change? Harlem Renaissance, New Woman, Youth Culture.

Essential Question: Change vs. Tradition—Example of tradition? KKK revival, Prohibition, fundamentalism.

How did the 1920s shape American identity? Sparked cultural shifts, redefined roles, and created modern norms.

Was the 1920s more about change or tradition? Both clashed constantly—defining feature of the decade.