USA- Society and culture in change, 1917–80 Flashcards
When was the 19th Amendment ratified, and what did it do?
On August 18, 1920, granting women the right to vote.
What organization was set up, and when, to support women’s voting rights?
1920, The League of Women Voters.
What was the purpose of the Women’s Bureau of Labour, and when was it set up?
It was established in 1920 to push for a women’s minimum wage.
What was Camp TERA, and who started it and when? Include a statistic showing how wide reaching the camp was
It was a job training and shelter program for unemployed women started by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1933. By 1936, 36 camps were serving 5,000 women yearly.
Who founded the Housewives League, and when, and what was its purpose?
In 1930 Fannie Peck founded it to encourage people to shop at Black-owned stores and organize local help for those in need.
How did Black and White women’s earnings compare to men’s during the New Deal?
For every $1 a white man earned, a Black woman earned 23 cents, and a white woman earned 61 cents.
What did the Lanham Act provide and when was it?
Give statistic to show the success of the act.
In 1941. Provided federal funding for childcare to support working mothers during WWII, helping care for 133,000 children by 1944.
How much did the percentage of married women in the workforce rise during WWII?
It increased from 15% to 23%.
How did the number of Black women in nursing training programs change from 1939 to 1945?
It rose from around 1,100 to 2,600.
How did public opinion on married women working change between 1936 and 1978?
- 1936: 82% thought married women shouldn’t work.
- 1938: 78%.
- 1942: 13%.
- 1978: 38%.
How much did suburban living expand in the 1960s?
19 million more people lived in the suburbs than in the 1950s.
What city had the first large out-of-town shopping mall, and when?
Detroit, in 1954.
What did Kennedy’s Commission of Enquiry on the Status of Women conclude in 1963?
It praised the Equal Pay Act but said enforcement was needed and called for wider job opportunities for women.
When was the Equal Pay Act passed?
1963.
What did the Education Act of 1958 promote?
Job counselors to work with students, including women.
When were the Civil Rights Act and the Economic Opportunity Act passed?
Both in 1964.
Who wrote “The Feminine Mystique,” and when?
Betty Friedan, in 1963.
What was the purpose of the National Organisation for Women (NOW), and when was it established?
Founded in 1966 to fight for the enforcement of government legislation on women’s rights.
What two women’s organizations were founded in 1968, and what were their focuses?
- Federally Employed Women (FEW): Equal opportunities in federal jobs.
- Women’s Equity Action League (WEAL): Ending sex discrimination in employment and education.
What organisation was established to push for abortion rights and when?
- The National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws.
What was the purpose of the National Women’s Political Caucus, and when was it set up?
In 1971, to support women in politics seeking public office.
What was the “Voice of the Women’s Liberation Movement”?
A national magazine started in 1968 that advocated for women’s rights.
What was the significance of the strike on August 26, 1970?
It marked the 50th anniversary of women’s suffrage and called for free childcare, equal job opportunities, and free abortion.
How did NOW’s membership change between 1967 and 1974?
It increased from 1,000 to 40,000.
Who led the STOP ERA campaign, and when was it launched?
Phyllis Schlafly, in 1972.
What was the outcome of the Eisenstadt v. Baird case and when was it?
1972, It allowed access to contraception.
What did Roe v. Wade decide and when?
It federally legalized abortion in 1973.
How many states refused to ratify the Equal Rights Act by 1982?
15 states, even after Congress passed it in 1972.
What major international policy did the U.S. refuse to sign and when?
1979, refused to sign the UN policy against discrimination of women in all aspects of life.
What three organizations showed the fragmentation of the women’s rights movement, and when were they founded?
- Congress of Labour Union Women (1974).
- Mexican American Women’s Organization (1974).
- National Alliance of Black Feminists (1976).
How many Mexicans were deported during the Great Depression?
400,000.
What did the Immigration Act of 1917 introduce?
It created a list of ‘undesirable’ immigrants and imposed a literacy test for those aged 16 and over.
What immigration restrictions did the 1921 Emergency Quota Act impose?
It limited immigration to 3% of the population from each country already living in the US.
How did the Johnson-Reed Immigration Act (1924) change immigration limits?
It reduced the quota to 2% of the existing immigrant population from each country.
What was the National Origins Formula, and when was it established?
Created in 1924, it reinforced the Immigration Act of 1924 and the Asian Exclusion Act, capping immigration at 150,000 per year and banning all Asian immigrants. It favored Northern and Western Europeans while restricting Southern and Eastern Europeans.
How many Japanese immigrants and US citizens were placed in internment camps during WWII?
Approximately 120,000.
How many Cubans fled to the US between 1959 and 1962?
Around 200,000.
What argument did John F. Kennedy make in his book, “A Nation of Immigrants”? When was it published?
- He stated that US immigration policies contradicted the welcoming message of the Statue of Liberty.
Which immigration law did President Lyndon B. Johnson pass in 1965, and why?
He passed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which abolished quotas. This was a continuation of the work Kennedy had started before his assassination.
How many Vietnamese immigrants came to the US after the fall of Saigon (which was when?)?
- About 130,000.
How many immigrants had come to the US from Communist states by 1985?
700,000.
How many Mexicans entered the US annually in the 1970s?
Around 60,000.
What proportion of jobs created in Los Angeles in the 1970s were taken by Mexican immigrants?
One-third of the 645,000 jobs.
How many immigrants did the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) estimate were in the US, and how many were deported per year?
7 million immigrants were in the US, with 600,000 deported annually.
What did the Alien Registration Act introduce and when was it?
- It established the green card system, allowing legal immigrants to live and work indefinitely.
What did the Immigration and Nationality Act (McCarran-Walter Act) establish and when was it?
- It allowed 150,000 immigrants per year, including 100,000 Asian immigrants.
What was Operation Wetback, and when did it begin?
It was a program started in 1954 to deport Mexican immigrants living illegally in the US.
What did the Refugee-Escapee Act allow? When was it?
- It granted refugee status to people fleeing Communist countries.
What did the Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart-Celler Act) do? When was it?
- It abolished discriminatory quotas, set a cap of 170,000 immigrants per year, and increased immigration from Asia.
What was the purpose of the Cuban Adjustment Act? When was it?
- It granted US citizenship to Cubans who arrived after 1959.
What change did the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1976 introduce?
It included the Western Hemisphere in immigration quotas for the first time, allowing 20,000 immigrants from that region.
How did the percentage of foreign-born Europeans in the US change between 1960 and 1980?
It dropped from 75% to 39%.
How did the percentage of foreign-born Asians in the US change between 1960 and 1980?
It grew from 5.1% to 19.3%.
How did the percentage of foreign-born Latin Americans in the US change between 1960 and 1980?
It increased from 9.4% to 33.1%.
What was the first major ‘talkie’ film, and when was it released?
The Jazz Singer in 1927.
How did movie theatre attendance change between 1925 and 1950? What and when was its peak?
It increased from 49 million to 55 million, peaking at 89 million in 1945.
How many movie theatre seats were there in the US in 1941?
10.5 million.
How many fan gossip magazines existed in the late 1930s, and what was their readership?
Around 20 magazines with a readership of 1 million.
What percentage of films were made in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s?
About 90%.
What were the typical budgets for A-list and B-list films in the 1920s and 1930s?
B-list films: $50,000-$100,000
A-list films: $200,000-$500,000
How much was Shirley Temple paid per week in the 1930s?
$5,000 per week.
What was the Motion Picture Production Code (Hays Code), and when was it enforced?
It censored movie content (e.g. kiss no longer than 3 secs) from 1930 to 1966.
How did record sales change between 1921 and 1935?
They dropped from 140 million to 25 million.
What was the first commercial radio station, and when was it established?
KDKA in 1920.
How many commercial radio stations existed in the US by 1924?
600.
When was NBC, the first national radio network, set up?
1926.
How many people listened to Father Coughlin’s radio sermons by 1930? And example of topics he covered and influence he had.
40 million.
He opposed birth control, Communism, the gold standard, and Hoover, while advocating bank nationalisation. Supporting Roosevelt in 1932, he declared, “The New Deal is Christ’s deal… Roosevelt or ruin.”
How did radio ownership change between 1930 and 1950?
It increased from 39% to 91%.
How did newspaper ownership change between 1920 and 1950?
It rose from 27.8% to 53.8%.
Which US presidential candidate first used television in a campaign?
Dwight Eisenhower in 1952.
Which network aired the 1960 Nixon-Kennedy debates?
CBS.
How did theatre attendance change between 1950 and 1980?
It dropped from 55 million to 20 million.
How did TV ownership change between 1950 and 1980?
It grew from 9% to 98%.
How did the percentage of live TV broadcasts change between 1950 and 1960?
It fell from 80% to 36%.
When did the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) produce Sesame Street?
1969.
What was the 1970s TV show MAS*H based on?
The Korean War.
Which TV show popularized political satire between 1968-1973?
Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.
What was the first tabloid-format newspaper in New York?
Daily News.
What impact did Ed Murrow’s See It Now have on Senator Joseph McCarthy?
In 1954, Murrow aired an episode exposing McCarthy’s aggressive anti-communist tactics, leading to public backlash and his downfall.
What were major examples of live news coverage in the mid-20th century?
The Cuban Missile Crisis, Apollo Moon Landing, and Watergate hearings.
Which journalist produced a critical documentary on Vietnam after the Tet Offensive and when?
- Walter Cronkite.
What was President Carter’s approval rating during his first few months in office?
60-70%.
What happened in 1979 that damaged Carter’s presidency?
52 US diplomats were held hostage in Tehran for 444 days, leading to public frustration with Carter’s inability to secure their release.
Why was actress Jane Fonda’s 1972 visit to North Vietnam controversial?
She met with North Vietnamese officials and criticized US military actions, leading to accusations of betraying American troops.
How did the number of employed women change in the 20s?
The number of women in paid employment rose from around 8 million to
11 million during the 1920s.
Example of television steering women away from careers in the 50s.
In The Tender Trap (1955), Debbie Reynolds says, ‘A career is just
fine, but it’s no substitute for marriage.’
Examples of labour saving devices that grew in availability between 1917-33
vacuum cleaners, irons,
sewing machines, stoves and washing machines
Evidence of limited impact of labour saving devices in the 20s.
The average homemaker still spent 50 hours
weekly on household tasks.
Ways “flappers” signalled greater social freedom in the 20s?
Some women embraced social freedom with short skirts, bobbed hair, makeup, and the Charleston, while the boldest smoked and drank in public. They would be considered “flappers”, however only a small minority of urban women were “flappers”
What was the Sacco and Vanzetti case?
Italian immigrants Sacco and Vanzetti were convicted of murder and robbery amid the Red Scare in 1921 and sentenced to death. Some saw them as victims of prejudice for their anarchist beliefs and ethnicity. Judge Thayer reportedly used slurs and effectively admitted Vanzetti’s guilt was ideological rather than factual.
What did older Americans believe the impact of movies portrayals of women in the 20s was?
Many older Americans feared movies corrupted youth, as Clara Bow’s flapper films showcased economically independent and liberated women, and Hollywood stars led scandalous lives on and off-screen.
What impact did jazz have on race relations
Jazz did little to improve race relations. During Prohibition, venues like the Cotton Club only allowed white patrons, despite featuring top Black musicians like Duke Ellington. Many conservative white Americans viewed jazz as a corrupting influence tied to Black sexuality, drug use, and promiscuity.
What did a ‘New York American’ editorial describe jazz as?
‘A pathological, nerve-irritating, sex-exciting music’.
Limitations of the New Deal in helping women?
New Deal legislation offered little help to women: the 1933 Economy Act banned members from the same family from working in federal jobs, NRA codes allowed wage inequality, and agencies like the CCC excluded women.
Who was the first female Cabinet member?
Roosevelt appointed Frances Perkins as Secretary of Labour from 1933 to 1945.
Example of hate and opposition Frances Perkins received?
Journalists incorrectly claimed she was frequently tearful and hysterical, and hate groups variously described her as a Soviet agent.
Inequality regarding women’s pay during WW2
Women in manufacturing earned about 60% of what men made for similar work.
What and when was the Chinese Exclusion Act?
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a significant U.S. federal law that prohibited all immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years.
When and why was the Chinese Exclusion Act repealed?
As a result of American sympathy over Japanese brutality in China, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was repealed in 1943.
Evidence of Hollywoods influence on fashion in the 30s?
When Clark Gable removed his shirt and revealed a bare chest in ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934), sales of vests plummeted.
2 examples of anti Communist Hollywood movies.
Hollywood produced several anti-Communist films, such as ‘Bolshevism on Trial’ (1919). Communists continued to be depicted negatively, as in ‘Little Man, What Now?’ (1934).
What proportion of Americans received most of their news from the radio by 1945?
Over half
Gender gap in education in 1950
There were 1.56 million men in higher education and 721,000 women. The gap had barely narrowed by 1960.
2 examples of increasing immigration due to wars.
1- Between 1945 and 1948, President Truman allowed in 41,300 persons displaced by the war.
2The Displaced Persons Act of 1948 allowed the entry of a limited number of refugees. By 1952, over 400,000 had entered the United States, mostly from Communist Eastern Europe.
What agreement and when allowed how many million Mexican temporary workers?
Around 5 million Mexican braceros (temporary farmworkers) were allowed in after a US-Mexican agreement of 1942,
What % of households had a TV in 1954 and 1962?
1954- 55.7%
1962- 90%
Example of TV promoting consumerism (as critics claimed) in the 50s.
When Disney began the Davy Crockett series in 1955, $300 million worth of Davy Crockett dolls, toys, T-shirts and coonskin caps were sold.
Early demonstration of the potential power of TV when it comes to politics in 1960.
The 1960 presidential debates showcased TV’s political power: radio listeners believed Nixon had won, but TV viewers disagreed as they saw Kennedy as confident and healthy, while Nixon appeared tired, shifty, and unwell.
What 2 TV events contributed to McCarthy’s downfall?
Edward Murrow’s ‘See It Now’ (1951–1958) exposed Senator McCarthy’s contradictions in 1954 by airing his own speeches and interviews, showcasing TV’s power in holding politicians accountable.
Daytime live screenings of the Army-McCarthy hearings attracted as many as 20 million viewers and contributed to McCarthy’s downfall.
What controversial music genre emerged in the 50s and give an example of a musician that played this kind of music?
Rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis Presley.
Statistics demonstrating unequal employment opportunities for women in the 60s.
Women only made up:
-10% of principals but 80% of teachers
-7% of doctors
-3% of lawyers.
How many states refused to allow female jurors in the 60s?
18
How many states said women could not enter financial agreements without a male co-signatory in the 60s?
6
What did Eleanor Roosevelt help persuade Kennedy to establish and when? What were its findings?
Eleanor Roosevelt influenced President Kennedy to create the 1963 Commission on the Status of Women.
Its report highlighted gender pay gaps, lack of daycare, racial discrimination, and sexist career advice.
However, it rejected the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and supported training for marriage and motherhood.
How did President Johnson respond to NOW’s lobbying in the late 60s?
In 1967, President Johnson banned gender discrimination by federal contractors. NOW enforced it, fighting over 1,000 cases and securing $13 million in compensation by 1971.
What did Jo Freeman do in her pursuit of increasing activism from women? How effective was this?
Freeman’s ‘Voice of the Women’s Liberation Movement’ encouraged the formation of women’s liberation groups and promoted consciousness-raising meetings in colleges and communities to highlight gender inequality and drive activism.
This proved effective, as the percentage of women feeling discriminated against rose from 25% in 1962 to 66% by 1974.
Evidence of change in the composition of immigrants entering the US. Between 1950-93
During 1951-65, 53% of immigrants were Europeans, but during 1966-93 it was only 14.9%.
Examples of increased counter culture being shown in Hollywood in the late 60s?
‘Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice’ (1969), which explored sexual liberalization in Los Angeles.
Example of a Black American actor in the 60s? Example of a movie in which he starred and explain what this means/shows.
Despite few Black leads on TV, Sidney Poitier became a major star. ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ (1967) drew large audiences, but likely for its cast and controversy rather than shifting racial attitudes.
What did Walter Cronkite say in regarding the war and what was Johnson’s response?
Cronkite said “What the hell is going on? I thought we were winning the war.”
Johnson responded saying “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost America”.
In the 70s what % of marriages ended in divorce?
40%
What were women’s wages like compared to men’s in 1980?
while their wages were rising they remained 62% of men’s wages in 1980,
What % of adults classed as poor were women in 70s and 80s?
66%
How many members did the ‘Stop ERA’ organisation attract?
50,000
What was the ERA for?
It was designed to guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex.
Example of opposition to women’s rights movement from a woman. (disappointing)
Beverly LaHaye established Concerned Women for America (CWA) in 1979 to fight against the ERA and abortion. CWA had 500,000 members by the mid-1980s.
Organisation that lobbied for reproductive rights (abortions) in the 70s?
From 1971, the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) lobbied state legislatures for the legalisation of abortion.
Evidence of women’s underrepresentation in politics 1979-80.
In 1979-80, there were only 16 women in the US House of Representatives and not a single female Senator.
When did the Supreme Court rule in favour of contraception for married couples and through which case?
Griswold v Connecticut 1965
What was the impact of the 1965 Act signed by Johnson on immigration?
In the 1950s, most immigrants were from Europe and Canada, but by the 1970s, the 1965 Act shifted patterns, with nearly half from Latin America, a third from Asia, and growing numbers from Africa.
When did Vietnam fall to communism and what happened regarding immigration as a result?
Vietnam fell to Communism in 1975, after which anti-Communist refugees flooded out of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
What upset some Vietnam veterans?
The US involvement in Vietnam led to the creation of large Vietnamese population enclaves such as the ‘Little Saigons’ in California, which upset some Vietnam veterans.
Academic studies indicated a strong link between violence on TV and the rising crime rate. What is an example of this influence TV had?
a group of youngsters who had seen the 1974 TV movie ‘Born Innocent’ committed a rape identical to one in the movie.
What ‘social consciousness’ show did CBS introduce and when? What issues did it address and what did the liberal creators not anticipate?
‘All in the Family’, ran from 1971-79.
This groundbreaking show addressed 1960s issues like abortion, sexuality, the Vietnam War, racism, and women’s liberation, topping ratings from 1971–76. Its liberal creators underestimated Middle America’s fondness for its bigoted central character.
What show in the 70s centred around a feminist character and was very popular?
‘Maude’ (1972-8)
What series addressing racial issues was very popular. Give evidence and specifics.
ABC’s mini-series ‘Roots’ (1977), based on Alex Haley’s account of his enslaved ancestors, faced doubts about white audience reception due to its portrayal of racial atrocities upon innocent black victims. However, it became a record-breaking success, with 100 million viewers—nearly half of America—watching the final episode.
What type of films did the black MC loath? and why?
Blaxploitation films, which there were around 60 made between 1969-74.
Claimed they glorified ghetto violence, drug dealing and gangsters, and considered the films a bad influence on young black Americans.
In what decade did investigative journalism increase?
70s
Impact of the exposure of Watergate on the reporters who uncovered it?
‘Washington Post’ reporters Woodward and Bernstein national heroes. Made other aspirational journalists seek a career-making scandal.
Example of a show that links investigative journalism and declining confidence in the gov?
CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’, launched in 1968, became the most successful US TV show after moving to a prime Sunday slot in 1976. It pioneered investigative tactics like hidden cameras, though critics claimed it encouraged cynicism toward politics.
