American Civilization 9
Chapter 25 – Summary
Name
Date
Period
THE ROARING TWENTIES
TIMELINE
1919 18th Amendment bans the manufacture, sale or transportation of liquor = “Noble Experiment”
1920 Economic boom of the 1920’s boosts the stock market (1923-1929)
19th Amendment ratified giving women the right to vote
League of Women Voters set up
Sacco & Vanzetti Trial
1921 Harding becomes president
Emergency Quota Act limits immigration to the United States
1922
1923 Tea Pot Dome Scandal
Coolidge becomes president after Harding dies in office
Equal Rights Amendment proposed – Never ratified
Charleston becomes a dance craze
1924 Women serve as delegates in Republican and Democratic conventions
1925 Scopes Trial - John Scopes arrested & convicted for teaching theory of evolution in a public
school
1926
1927 Charles Lindbergh flies solo across Atlantic Ocean in the Lucky Lindy
1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact Outlaws war
Herbert Hoover wins presidential election
1929 The Great Depression begins
Summary
After World War I, the U.S. economy was in a recession as factories stopped producing war materials. The sharp
economic recession led voters to elect Harding and the Republican Party returned to power in the 1920’s. During
Harding’s presidency, he chose Cabinet members with pro-business ideas (Andrew Mellon – balanced the budget
and lowered taxes & Herbert Hoover – supplied food to starving people and expanded business overseas).
However, several dishonest aides betrayed his trust and created scandals (Charles Forbes – stole millions of dollars
from Veterans Bureau. Albert Fall – illegally leased government land to oil executives known as the Teapot Dome
Scandal).
Most Americans supported disarmament, and the return to isolationism. The U.S. refused to join the League of
Nations, but did sign the Kellogg-Briand pact outlawing war after WWI. Although Americans wanted to stay out of
European affairs, they did not feel that way about Latin American concerns. The U.S. intervened in Latin America
to protect U.S. economic interests.
The first communist state was created in the Soviet Union. All wealth and property was owned by the community
as a whole. The U.S. refused to recognize the communist government. The Red Scare reflected many Americans
fear that labor strikes signaled the start of a communist revolution. This created anti-union feelings. Workers
feared sabotage, or the act of secretly destroying property or interfering with work. Additionally, Americans were
suspicious of anyone who was an anarchist or who opposes organized government. Communists and anarchists
were sometimes deported, arrested or jailed. Sacco & Vanzetti were Italian immigrants were arrested for robbery
and murder. There was very little evidence. The two men admitted to being anarchists and many felt at the time
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that they were convicted and sentenced to death more because of that then of the robbery & murder. Fear of
cultural changes taking place in the 1920’s led to the reemergence of the KKK and other groups. Nativists were
one group that supported keeping foreigners out of the U.S. The rise of Nativists and the Ku Klux Klan saw a
growth in anti-foreign feelings targeted towards immigrants and immigration limits set by the Quota Act.
Coolidge’s pro-business policies contributed to a period of rapid economic growth known as “Coolidge prosperity”.
Mass production, often using an assembly line, produced great quantities of goods. With more goods available and
an increase in incomes, consumers happily used installment buying to buy goods on credit. This economic boom
gave the stock market a giant boost. Corporations sold stocks, or shares of ownership, to investors. As stock
trading increased, stock prices also increased creating a bull market. The automobile spurred growth in numerous
parts of the economy creating 4 million jobs.
Although the 1920’s were prosperous for many, the nation was divided between rich and poor. Farmers in
particular did not share in the prosperity. During World War I Europeans bought many American farm products,
driving prices up. After the war, European farms produced enough goods and Europe no longer needed to buy it
from the U.S., causing U.S. prices to fall. Farmers were unable to pay their debts. In addition to farmers, laborers
also faced setbacks. During the war, laborers were paid well, after the war management no longer paid as well.
Unions launched strikes turning the public against them. Company Unions were formed, but sided with
management.
A new popular culture changed the values and customs of Americans during the 1920’s. The 18th Amendment,
Prohibition, banned the making, selling, and transporting of alcohol anywhere in the United States. Bootleggers,
speakeasies and organized crime’s disregard for the law later contributed its repeal with the 21st Amendment.
Many women’s lives changed as they legally voted with passage of the 19th Amendment, more women entering the
workforce, and new technologies freed women from house work. This new found independence saw the
emergence of flappers. These young women rebelled against traditional ways of thinking cut there hair short in
bobs, wore short skirts and red lipstick, drank and smoked. The League of Women voters helped educate voters
then and today. Women worked for the Equal Rights Amendment but were never able to get it ratified. Movie
stars and sports figures were among the people considered heroes in the 1920’s. New fads like flagpole sitting
became popular.
Radio and Movies gave people across the nation a common experience, creating a mass culture or national culture
for Americans. In the 1920’s jazz was born in New Orleans and quickly spread north to New York. The Harlem
Renaissance led to widespread recognition of African American artists and writers that celebrated pride in African
American heritage & achievements in art, literature and music in New York.
American literature was characterized by talented young writers exploring original themes and forms. They were
troubled by many American’s focus on money & fun, narrow-minded small-town values and prejudice and racism.
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Lesson Questions – Study Guide
Section 1: Politics and Prosperity
2. Briefly explain the Tea Pot Dome Scandal
3.Who were the three Republican Presidents of the 1920’s?
4. Define installment buying.
5. Define bull market.
Section 2: New Ways of Life
1. Define prohibition.
2. How did the Automobile impact the U.S(4 responses)
3. What unintentional effect of the 18th amendment led to its repeal?
4. Define bootlegger.
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Section 3: The Roaring Twenties
1. Define flapper.
2. What name was given to the period of achievements of black artists, writers, and musicians in New
York in the 1920s?
3. Why were Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh considered heroes?
Section 4: A Nation Divided
1. Define Red Scare:
2. Define anarchist.
3. Define nativism.
4. What was the issue involved in the Scopes Trial?
5. Who were Sacco and Vanzetti? What were they accused of ? What was their punishment?
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