USA 1919-1941 Flashcards
Who didn’t benefit from the boom?
Farmers - overproduction led to low prices
Blacks - Employment discrimination
Textiles - Cheaper labour available elsewhere
Coal - oil led to decreased demand
1/3 of all income earned by 5% of workforce.
Why did the US economy boom in the 1920s?
Factors include: Natural resources New industries, esp. household appliances Rising wages Low taxes High import tariffs Hire purchase Weak unions
Describe the musical culture of 1920s America.
Jazz was very popular. It was started in Southern brothels by African Americans. Performers like Louis Armstrong adopted pianos. There was lots of disdain for it especially from WASPs.
Describe the film industry in 1920s USA.
From 1910, the MMPC increased production standards and rules such as the Hays code were introduced. Immigrant Jews set up studios. Stars included Fairbanks, Chaplin, Bow, etc. First Oscars was in 1929.
Discuss sports in 1920s USA.
Babe Ruth was a famous baseball player.
Jack Dempsey was a well known heavyweight boxer.
Catherine Ederle was known for swimming.
Bobby Jones was an excellent golfer.
Describe the ‘crazes’ in 1920s America.
Crosswords were invented by Wynne in New York Times.
Marathon dancing.
Mah-Jong (Chinese board game)
Charles Lindbergh flew the Atlantic.
Discuss the activities of the KKK in the 1920s.
The KKK grew in the 1920s under the leadership of Hiram Evans. Members joined in odd rituals with burning crosses and often lynched blacks. Most were poor white men who were afraid of blacks. Membership decreased after 1925 - 5mil -> 0.3 mil.
Discuss the Red Scare in the 1920s.
The Russian Revolution convinced many Americans that communism was near. Attorney-General rounded up and deported many suspected communists. His house was then blown up.
What happened to Sacco and Vanzetti?
In April 1920 a shoe factory was robbed at gunpoint and $16000 was robbed and two men shot dead. There was inconclusive evidence but they were convicted by a biased judge. They found two people who confessed but it made no difference. They were executed in 1927.
What happened during the Scopes Trial?
In July 1925, John Scopes taught evolution, contrary to Tennessee state law. In the trial, great lawyers Darrow and Bryan fought over the merits of evolution and creationism. Scopes was fined $100 and the law was repealed soon after.
What occurred under prohibition?
In Jan 1920, the 18th Amendment banned alcohol, under pressure from the Anti-Saloon league. The Volstead Act established penalties. It resulted in bootlegging and speakeasies. It was eventually repealed in 1933 by FDR.
How did flappers challenge convention in the twenties?
They were independent, middle class women who wore skirts, had short hair and drank alcohol. Their activity was condemned by the Anti Flirt League.
What occurred at the St. Valentine’s day massacre?
In 1929 Al Capone planned to massacre members of a rival gang, to kill Bugs Malone’s men. Malone and Capone were elsewhere. Capone hired men dressed as police to ‘raid’ a speakeasy. Malone’s men handed in their weapons, and were then shot.
Why did the USA crash?
On Black Tuesday and Thursday, stock prices fell throughout the day. This was due to a combination of overproduction, too many loans, dodgy speculators, and mass panic, all of which contributed to a devaluation of companies.
Why was there a depression?
People saved more so there was less spending.
Banks went down and interest rates were high. The gold Standard rather messed up the system.
Retaliatory tariffs were created overseas.
Money was in the hands of the wrong people.
