The Economy
What caused high unemployment after World War I?
The government did not need extra workers to make supplies for soldiers anymore.
What was the main issue that caused strikes in the 1920s?
The disparity between rising prices and stagnant wages.
What sentiment grew due to high unemployment in the 1920s?
Anti-immigrant feelings and racism.
What was the RED Scare?
A fear of Communists and radicals in the U.S.
What major change in transportation occurred in the 1920s?
The widespread adoption of the automobile.
How did the return of soldiers affect the economy?
It led to a surplus of labor and high unemployment rates.
Name one industry affected by labor strikes in the 1920s.
The automobile industry.
What slogan expressed the nativist sentiment?
"They're taking our jobs!"
Who were Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti?
Italian-born anarchists sentenced to death, illustrating the nativist foundation of the RED Scare.
What was the significance of the Harlem Renaissance?
It was a cultural movement celebrating African American art and literature.
What was the impact of returning soldiers on wages?
Prices increased, but wages did not, leading to strikes.
What was the public's perception of labor unions during this time?
They were often viewed with suspicion and associated with radicalism.
What was the outcome of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial?
They were convicted and executed, suggesting a nativist bias in the legal system.
What event heightened fears of a Communist takeover in the U.S.?
The Russian Revolution.
What was Prohibition?
A ban on alcohol that started in 1920.
What was a consequence of decreased government support for workers?
Increased labor strikes due to rising prices and stagnant wages.
What did workers demand during the strikes?
Higher wages and better working conditions.
How did the KKK's influence expand during the 1920s?
It extended beyond the South and gained more members nationwide.
What was the public's reaction to the RED Scare?
Increased suspicion of immigrants and radicals.
Who were flappers?
Young women who challenged traditional gender norms in the 1920s.
How did the economy contribute to the rise of consumer debt in the 1920s?
Easy access to credit and installment buying led people to buy things they couldn't afford.
How did labor movements impact the government?
They led to increased regulation and sometimes repression of labor rights.
What legislation limited immigration in the 1920s?
The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the National Origins Act of 1924.
How did the government respond to the fears during the RED Scare?
Through the Palmer Raids, targeting suspected radicals.
How did jazz music influence American culture during the 1920s?
It became a defining genre of the time, representing a new cultural identity.