1920'S USA Flashcards
Examples of Jim Crow laws.
- Seperate schools where school for black people were inferior meaning that their education is lacking
- Black americans could not serve on juries
- Voting was made difficult for African-Americans
- PAY A POLL TAX: due to low wages african american couldnt pay tax which meant that they couldnt vote
- LITERACY TEST: You had to pass a literacy test to be able to vote, and due to poor education may didnt pass. Tjose who did pass were threatned and attacked when trying to vote
- GRANDFATHER CLAUSE: This excluded anyone whose grandfather was an enslaved person from voting
What was the KKK?
The Ku Klux Klan was a group of white supremacists who believed that white people were superior.
What did the KKK do?
The KKK tookj part in racist activities such as lynching, attacks, raping, murdering, white hooded marches and burning crosses.
How did the KKK stay in power for so long?
Police often didnt step in to help when attacks were made and memebers of the KKK were often rich and powerful.
Why did African-Americans in the southern states suffer more than African-Americans in the northern states?
Jim crow laws in the southern states meant that segragation and racism was extremely prominent.
What was the 18th amendament made in 1918?
The USA constitution made it illegal to manufacture, transport and sell alcohol in the USA. This was called prohibition.
Why was prohibition introduced?
- It affected peoples health
- It was seen as a reason for violence and crime
- it was seen as against gods will
Northern states still had discrimination. Examples include…
- Unmatched wages to white people doing the same job
- They lived in ghettos
- Black Americans were always the first to be sacked
- Attacks from white people (specifically the Ku Klux Klan (KKK))
The KKK began in 1915, how many members were there by 1921?
Over 100,000
Why could prohibition be seen as a failure?
- It resulted in thousands of speakeasies (illegal underground bars)
- There was increase of violence (1926-1927 there were around 130 gangland murders, many of which linked to Al Capone)
When was prohibition ended?
1933
How did the raoring twenties help black Americans?
Development of Jazz meant more people started rejecting racist social views
Why was the 1920 known as the ‘Roaring Twenties’ in America?
The economic boom and cultural changes.
Agricultural Adjustment Act (1933)
This law limited agricultural production to reduce surpluses and therefore increase prices. Under this law, the government paid farmers not to plant on their land and to slaughter excess livestock.
What were some reasons for the 1920 ecnomic boom?
- Mass production meant large numbers of unskilled workers could be employed
- People were investing in stock markets
- Electricity made it cheaper for factories which meant more money for employees
- New ways of mass marketing
Positive impacts of the roaring twenties.
- Economic growth
- Prosperity for businessmen
- Increased employment
- Greater independence for middle class women
- Develpment of entertainment
How did the roaring twenties help women?
- Flapper girls had more independence and confidence
- Wider range of jobs
Social Security Act (1935)
This payed financial benefits to retirees over age 65 based on lifetime payroll tax contributions; it also provides financial assistance to the handicapped and the unemployed.
Public Works Administration (1933)
This agency invested more than $3 billion in public works projects such as bridges, dams, schools, and hospitals, ultimately providing jobs and partially reviving the economy.
What were the impacts of the wall street crash?
- Banks collapsed (659 banks closed in 1929)
- Unemployment (people could no longer enjoy consumer goods which lead to mass unemployment)
- Unemployment lead to homelessness
When was the Great Depression?
1929-1933
What did Laissez-Faire lead to?
The goverment policy meant they intefered as little as possible in the c=economy. THis lead to insufficent regulation of the stock market and banks
Why was Hoover labelled a bad president?
He left the economic downfall to itself and only stepped in right before he waa to be revoted - too little too late
Why did the KKK decline in numbers?
A member, D C Stephenson, was found guilty of raping a young white girl on a train.
What did Franklin D Roosevelt promise?
The ‘New Deal’
Emergency Bank Relief Act (1933)
closed all banks for a bank holiday and invested money to help stabilise the banks
Civilian Conservation Corps (1933)
This helped young, unemployed, umarried men find work such as planting trees and restoring forests. During its nine-year run, the program provided approximately 3 million men with shelter, food, clothing, and a regular salary.
