American Society in the 1920s (5) Flashcards
Why were the 1920s called the roaring twenties?
It was a time when many conservative social customs changed and people seemed to be determined to enjoy life,
The 1920s was a decade when ___ entertainment began. The radio became an affordable ____ item- by the end of the decade, almost ____ of American homes owned one.
mass
radio
half
What was happening in Hollywood at the time?
The film industry
The 1920s were also called the __ age.
Jazz
Explain how the economic freedom of the capitalist system is not matched by the freedom of living in a democratic system.
When people live in capitalism, they assume democracy is part of that, but that is not always the case, like for example apartheid South Africa, where capitalism existed but without democracy.
What is Democracy?
Being able to live without fear of harassment or prejudice, as an equal and respected citizen.
What position were women in, during the 1920s?
More women had been employed in factories and offices and this gave them greater independence, especially after they won the right to vote.
How did the lives of middle-class women differ compared to rural and working-class women?
Many middle-class women adopted new fashions and social behavior and led to more independent lives. Whereas for rural and working-class women, there was no change nor greater equality.
The 1920s were also a time of continuing poverty and ____ for ___ groups.
inequality
minority
Which minority groups did not experience the same benefits of the economic boom (although there were limited improvements)? (2)
African Americans (formers slaves and their descendants) Native Americans (American Indians)
Why did hundreds of thousands of African Americans move from Southern states to the north, like New York and Chicago?
They would have a better chance of finding good jobs in industry and a better education.
Who started the black capitalist movement? And what was its aim?
The black middle class and it was to encourage black people to set up their own businesses.
Conditions for the vast majority of African Americans remained poor and they suffered from various forms of _____.
Discrimination
When were African Americans granted American citizenship and the right to vote for the first time?
1924
However, conditions for Native Americans who lived on special _____ were poor. They were on or near traditional land, but far from ____ centers.
reservations
economic
What were the reservations?
Land set aside for Native American communities.
Why was there an increase in crime during the 1920s?
Due to the introduction of Prohibition in 1919.
What was the Prohibition law?
It made it illegal to sell or make alcohol.
What was the result of this law?
It resulted in a black market for alcohol which was smuggled into the country by gangs, mainly Mafia.
Which Mafia bosses made huge profits?
Al Capone
How did gangsters avoid arrest?
Bribing police and judges
Prohibition was hard to enforce, and competition between ____ led to an increase in ____ and crime, which continued after Prohibition ended in the early 1930s
gang
violence
How did immigrants help the economic boom?
By providing labor for industry and markets for manufactured products.
What was the Red Scare?
Americans became suspicious of immigrants because they were suspected of being communists. Immigrants were treated with suspicion and resentment. Thousands were deported and arrested. After the successful Bolshevik revolution, many Americans feared that the spread of communism would threaten their capitalist system.
