Highs and Lows of Modern America (1919-1932)

Question 1

How did Americans react to the end of WWI?

Answer 1

Americans are very excited that the war is over. Many are feeling excited for the new decade; however, others are feeling sad or scared because of the lives lost.

Question 2

Why did the US economy grow during the 1920s?

Answer 2

1. New technologies to buy.
2. Availability of installment plans (credit) to buy goods.
3. Wages increased after the war=more money to spend.
4. Advertising is developed- marketing products to customers.

Question 3

What examples of popular culture emerged after WWI?

Answer 3

1. Music (especially Jazz)
2. Movies/Movie Theaters
3. Dancing (Charleston).
4. Spectator Sports (Boxing, Horse Racing, BASEBALL)
5. Fashion

Question 4

Why did popular culture grow during the 1920s?

Answer 4

1. Improvements in technology (movie theaters, radio).
2. More money to spend on leisure activities.
3. Desire for happiness and excitement after the war.

Question 5

What examples of new science and technology emerged during the 1920s?

Answer 5

1. Household appliances (refrigerator, washing machines, toasters, vacuum, hair dryer, razor)
2. Medical (x-ray, band-aid, antiseptic, chemo, antibiotics, penicillin, insulin).
3. Cars (MODEL T)
4. Entertainment (Radio, movie theaters)

Question 6

How did World War I result in advancements in technology?

Answer 6

1.Many inventors and scientists wanted to produce ways to make people’s lives better.
2. New innovations were introduced during WWI (medical advancements)
3. other wartime improvements shifted benefitted peacetime products (radio, appliances, cars)

Question 7

How did Americans react to new technology?

Answer 7

While many Americans were excited about the new innovations, many men were uneasy about the introduction of household appliances; worried their wives would forget their household responsibilities and children.

Question 8

How did new technology impact the lives of Americans during the 1920s?

Answer 8

1. Household chores became easier; especially for women (who were expected to do chores still).
2. Medical advancements made people healthier, allowed them to live longer.
3. It because easier to get around, allowed people to leave home for the first time; more freedom.
4. Life became more enjoyable thanks to easy access to entertainment.

Question 9

What is the Model T?

Answer 9

Ford automobile that became the most owned vehicle of the 1920s when prices decreased after the assembly line was introduced to product cars.

Question 10

What happened as a result of increased car ownership during the 1920s?

Answer 10

Increased traffic required the construction of new roads and the creation of traffic lights.

Question 11

How did the 19th Amendment impact American women?

Answer 11

1. Granted them a greater political voice in society.
2. Encouraged women to take advantage of new social and economic freedoms as well.

Question 12

In what ways did many young women begin to push boundaries during the 1920s?

Answer 12

1. Many more young women began living on their own and earning their own money after the war.
2. Began voting and spending their own money on new fashions.
3. Women began enjoying the same freedoms as men: partying, dancing, and enjoying life in the big city.

Question 13

What is a flapper?

Answer 13

Young women who lived independent lifestyles, challenging many economic, political, and social traditions in society. Such as cutting their hair short, wearing shorter and more colorful clothing, wearing heels.

Question 14

How did the public react to changes among American women during the 1920s?

Answer 14

Although many young women enjoyed their new freedom, many Americans (especially men) worried that women were becoming too independent, would delay marriage and having children, and were going to ruin society.

Question 15

What is the importance of the Harlem Renaissance?

Answer 15

It was a period of new opportunity in literature, art, and music within the Black community; Encouraged Black people to be proud of their background.

Question 16

What caused the start of the Harlem Renaissance?

Answer 16

During WWI, many Black people moved to northern cities (like New York City’s Harlem neighborhood) during the Great Migration.

Question 17

What is the Great Migration?

Answer 17

Period of mass movement of Black Americans from the South to the North during WWI; caused by the need for factory workers in northern cities and the desire Black people had to escape violence in the South.

Question 18

Who were some of the famous figures of the Harlem Renaissance?

Answer 18

Poet Langston Hughes; Jazz Musician Louis Armstrong

Question 19

Who was the most popular sports figure of the 1920s?

Answer 19

Babe Ruth, Baseball player for the NY Yankees

Question 20

Who was the “Lost Generation”?

Answer 20

Groups of popular authors that emerged after WWI; many had served during the war.

Question 21

What perspective was demonstrated by members of the “Lost Generation”?

Answer 21

They wrote works that were dark, cynical, disillusioned, hopeless, empty; reflecting the experiences they had from the war.

Question 22

Who was F. Scott Fitzgerald?

Answer 22

Famous Lost Generation author who wrote the Great Gatsby.

Question 23

Why did the United States return to an isolationist foreign policy after WWI?

Answer 23

Americans wanted to avoid going to war in Europe again; WWI was horrible and many worried another war would be much worse.

Question 24

What actions did the US take to become isolationist after WWI?

Answer 24

1. Washington Naval Conference
2. Kellogg-Briand Pact
3. Not joining the League of Nations

Question 25

What was decided at the Washington Naval Conference?

Answer 25

The US and other nations agreed to decrease the sizer of their Navy– since they wouldn’t need it if they managed to avoid war.

Question 26

What was agreed to in the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

Answer 26

The US, France and Germany, agreed to outlaw/ban war in 1928.

Question 27

What is communism?

Answer 27

An economic system adopted by Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution. The government controls the economy, distributing property and wealth to try and eliminate inequality.

Question 28

Why did the [First] Red Scare emerge after WWI?

Answer 28

Many rich and powerful Americans were worried the US would become communist. Especially after several strikes and bombings occurred in the US.

Question 29

What actions did the US take during the [First] Red Scare?

Answer 29

The government ordered the Palmer Raids.

Question 30

What were the Palmer Raids?

Answer 30

Police raids ordered by Attorney General Palmer to hunt down those responsible for carrying out bombing attacks against the US. They looked for communists and anarchists; hundreds of whom were arrested and deported.

Question 31

What is nativism?

Answer 31

Anti-immigrant attitudes; the belief that “native-born” Americans are superior to new immigrants.

Question 32

Why did the US want to limit immigration during the 1920s?

Answer 32

1. Concerns about southern and eastern Europeans bringing communism/ anarchism to the US.
2. Fears of the dangers of outsiders after several bombings.
3. Growing nativism after WWI- many Americans were anti-immigrant during WWI.

Question 33

Who were Sacco and Vanzetti?

Answer 33

Two Italian immigrants and anarchists that were convicted and sentenced to death for a double murder near Boston; despite no physical evidence connected them to the crime- nativist beliefs convinced people they were guilty of the crime.

Question 34

What actions were taken to limit immigration during the 1920s?

Answer 34

1. National Origins Act (1921): adopted a 3% quota for European immigrants.
2. Emergency Quota Act (1924): tightened restrictions on S. and E. European immigrants.
3. Creation of Border Patrol to manage illegal immigration.
4. Adoption of literacy tests to restrict immigration to English-language speakers at Ellis Island.

Question 35

How did the KKK expand during the 1920s?

Answer 35

It increased in size (5 million members by 1925- largest ever); It spread into many northern states.

Question 36

Why did the KKK expand during the 1920s?

Answer 36

1. The film “The Birth of Nation” celebrated the KKK and justified their attacks on Black Americans.
2. Expansion of KKK hatred to more groups: immigrants, Catholics, and Jews.

Question 37

What was Red Summer?

Answer 37

Period of extreme racial violence that erupted in both the North and South during the Summer after WWI (1919).

Question 38

What are some examples of the racial violence that occurred during the 1920s?

Answer 38

1. Chicago Race Riot: Started after a Black teenager was drowned in Lake Michigan- when he accidentally floated into the “Whites-only” section of the water.
2. Elaine Massacre: Deadliest race massacre in US history, occurred in Elaine, Arkansas. Resulted in over 200 deaths.
3. Tulsa Massacre: In Tulsa, Oklahoma a section of town called “Black Wall Street” was set ablaze; caused millions in damages to the successful Black neighborhood and killed hundreds.

Question 39

What was the 18th Amendment?

Answer 39

It prohibited the sale of alcohol in the United States.

Question 40

Who was Al Capone?

Answer 40

The well-known Italian gangster who sold “bootlegged” (illegal) alcohol during the Prohibition Era.

Question 41

Why did acts of violent crime increase during the 1920s?

Answer 41

After the passage of the 18th amendment, demand for illegal alcohol increased resulted in the emergence of organized crime groups. These groups were very competitive- causing murder rates soared during the 1920s.

Question 42

Who was John Scopes?

Answer 42

A Tennessee science and math teacher who was put on trial in 1925 for breaking the Butler Act- which outlawed the teaching of evolution in schools.

Question 43

What controversy surrounding the Scopes Trial in 1925?

Answer 43

Following World War I, some American wanted to return to traditional religious values– while other Americans wanted to begin accepting modern scientific ideas that conflicted with religion.

Question 44

What challenges faced farmers during the 1920s?

Answer 44

1. During the war, farmers overproduced on their land, leaving it dried out and less productive.
2. Demand for American farm goods decreased after the war- causing prices (and therefore profits) to drop dramatically,

Question 45

What actions of consumers and banks caused instability in the US stock market?

Answer 45

Consumers were taking out loans from banks- and using those loans to buy stock. As long as the market went up- they were okay– if it started to decline, they would be unable to pay back the loans.

Question 46

What is buying on margin?

Answer 46

The practice of buying stock shares with bank loans.

Question 47

What role did the American government play in the economy during the 1920s?

Answer 47

The government demonstrated “laissez-faire” practices; they believed it was best to stay hands-off in the economy and not interfere- even if things started to go badly.

Question 48

Why did the US economy collapse in 1929?

Answer 48

1. Consumers were overspending on stocks for companies that were not actually doing well.
2. Eventually people realized things weren’t as good as they seemed and they started to rapidly sell off their shares- causing the Stock Market Crash of October 1929.
3. After the crash banks failed- causing Americans to lose their life savings and businesses to close.
4. When businesses closed, unemployment shot up to its highest point in US history (25%)
5. Without an income and their life savings gone- many homes were foreclosed on- leaving people homeless.

Question 49

What challenges did American face during the Great Depression?

Answer 49

1. In urban areas: people were left jobless, homeless, and would have to stand in bread lines for hours to get food.
2. In rural areas: farming collapsed under the weight of the Depression and the ongoing plight of dust storms. When they failed to sell food, their farms were foreclosed on- many moved away from the Great Plains.
3. Families were split apart when they struggled to provide for their children.

Question 50

What was the Dust Bowl?

Answer 50

Massive dust storms that occurred on the Great Plains during the Great Depression. Caused by overfarming, and extended drought, high winds, and static electricity.

Question 51

What role did President Hoover believe the president should take during the Great Depression?

Answer 51

President Hoover supported the idea of remaining hands-off from the economy (laissez-faire); he encouraged people to work hard to overcome the challenges of the Great Depression- demonstrating rugged individualism.

Question 52

What is volunteerism?

Answer 52

Idea supported by President Hoover that those who were able to volunteer and help others struggling during the economic downturn should do so.

Question 53

What is rugged individualism?

Answer 53

Idea supported by President Hoover that when individuals overcome extreme challenges in their lives (such as the Great Depression) without help from the government- they will learn more from the experience in the long-run and becoming better people.

Question 54

What actions did President Hoover take to respond to the Great Depression?

Answer 54

Although Hoover supported a hands-off approach to the Great Depression; he did support the construction of the Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam) and the formation of Reconstruction Finance Corporation.

Question 55

What was the Reconstruction Finance Corporation?

Answer 55

Government organization formed during the Hoover Administration to provide federal funding to businesses, banks, and home loan organizations at risk of collapsing during the Great Depression.

Question 56

Who was the Bonus Army?

Answer 56

Group of World War I veterans who wanted their postwar bonuses paid early- since they were struggling so much during the Depression. They decided to march to Washington D.C. and camp out in front of the US Capitol to challenge Congress to approve the assistance.

Question 57

What was controversial about the Bonus Army March?

Answer 57

Congress did not want to pay the bonuses to the Bonus Army marchers early and grew frustrated with their ongoing protest and encampment near the US Capitol. Eventually President Hoover allowed the US Army to enter the encampment to clear out the protest. When they did so a large fire engulfed the camp resulting in many injuries and two deaths.

Question 58

Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt?

Answer 58

Cousin of President Teddy Roosevelt who ran for President in 1932. He went on to be the longest serving president in US history- serving throughout the Great Depression and World War II until his death in 1945.

Question 59

What factors hurt President Hoover during the Election of 1932?

Answer 59

1. The economy was horrible and Americans felt he should have done more to help them. They called their homeless encampments “Hoovervilles”.
2. The deaths and injuries that occurred at the Bonus Army camp made front page news across the country- angering Americans who blamed Hoover for the carnage.
3. Americans appealed to FDR who blamed the government for the depression and promised to help them; while Hoover told people they were partly to blame and they should simply help themselves while the economy recovered on its own.