1. America’s History Seventh Edition
James A. Henretta
Rebecca Edwards
Robert O. Self
America’s History Seventh Edition
CHAPTER 22
Wrestling with Modernity,
Copyright © 2011 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

2. I. Conflicted Legacies of World War I
Racial Strife
1. White Violence
return of black war veterans and increase of black migrants to the North led to backlash by whites
lynchings in the South rose (48 in 1917, 78 in 1919)
several black men were lynched in uniform
lynching in Rosewood, FL, 1921 led to black residents arming themselves, mobs of whites burned their houses and attacked black citizens with no intervention by police.
2. Competition
Erosion of Labor Rights
1. National War Labor Board
2. Public Employees
Conflicted Legacies of World War I
Racial Strife
White Violence – return of black war veterans and increase of black migrants to the North led to backlash by whites; lynchings in the South rose (48 in 1917, 78 in 1919); several black men were lynched in uniform; lynching in Rosewood, FL, 1921 led to black residents arming themselves, mobs of whites burned their houses and attacked black citizens with no intervention by police.
Competition – large numbers of blacks, immigrants, and whites seeking work and housing increased tension in northern cities; deadly riots in East St. Louis (1917) and Chicago (1919); an alleged rape in Tulsa, OK, led to a white mob (aided by the National Guard) burning 35 blocks of Greenwood, OK, and killing several dozen blacks.
Erosion of Labor Rights
National War Labor Board – NWLB (1918) established 8-hour day for workers during the war, allowed for unions to increase in size if they did not strike, assured time and a half pay for overtime, equal pay for women; increased workers’ expectations of what employers could do for them; postwar conditions changed, workers frustrated; during 1919 one in five workers in the U.S. went on strike; U.S. Steel hired Mexican and black workers to break strikes; new industries sought to hire non-union employees.
Public Employees – 1919 Boston police force went on strike over the right to form a union; Gov. Coolidge fired the entire force and was supported by the public and by anti-labor Supreme Court rulings; union membership fell from 5.1 million (1920) to 3.6 million (1929).

3. I. Conflicted Legacies of World War I
Racial Strife
2. Competition
large numbers of blacks, immigrants, and whites seeking work and housing increased tension in northern cities
deadly riots in East St. Louis (1917) and Chicago (1919)
an alleged rape in Tulsa, OK, led to a white mob (aided by the National Guard) burning 35 blocks of Greenwood, OK, and killing several dozen blacks.
Erosion of Labor Rights
1. National War Labor Board
2. Public Employees
Conflicted Legacies of World War I
Racial Strife
White Violence – return of black war veterans and increase of black migrants to the North led to backlash by whites; lynchings in the South rose (48 in 1917, 78 in 1919); several black men were lynched in uniform; lynching in Rosewood, FL, 1921 led to black residents arming themselves, mobs of whites burned their houses and attacked black citizens with no intervention by police.
Competition – large numbers of blacks, immigrants, and whites seeking work and housing increased tension in northern cities; deadly riots in East St. Louis (1917) and Chicago (1919); an alleged rape in Tulsa, OK, led to a white mob (aided by the National Guard) burning 35 blocks of Greenwood, OK, and killing several dozen blacks.
Erosion of Labor Rights
National War Labor Board – NWLB (1918) established 8-hour day for workers during the war, allowed for unions to increase in size if they did not strike, assured time and a half pay for overtime, equal pay for women; increased workers’ expectations of what employers could do for them; postwar conditions changed, workers frustrated; during 1919 one in five workers in the U.S. went on strike; U.S. Steel hired Mexican and black workers to break strikes; new industries sought to hire non-union employees.
Public Employees – 1919 Boston police force went on strike over the right to form a union; Gov. Coolidge fired the entire force and was supported by the public and by anti-labor Supreme Court rulings; union membership fell from 5.1 million (1920) to 3.6 million (1929).

4. I. Conflicted Legacies of World War I
Erosion of Labor Rights
1. National War Labor Board
NWLB (1918) established 8-hour day for workers during the war, allowed for unions to increase in size if they did not strike, assured time and a half pay for overtime, equal pay for women
increased workers’ expectations of what employers could do for them
postwar conditions changed, workers frustrated
during 1919 one in five workers in the U.S. went on strike
U.S. Steel hired Mexican and black workers to break strikes; new industries sought to hire non-union employees.
2. Public Employees
Conflicted Legacies of World War I
Racial Strife
White Violence – return of black war veterans and increase of black migrants to the North led to backlash by whites; lynchings in the South rose (48 in 1917, 78 in 1919); several black men were lynched in uniform; lynching in Rosewood, FL, 1921 led to black residents arming themselves, mobs of whites burned their houses and attacked black citizens with no intervention by police.
Competition – large numbers of blacks, immigrants, and whites seeking work and housing increased tension in northern cities; deadly riots in East St. Louis (1917) and Chicago (1919); an alleged rape in Tulsa, OK, led to a white mob (aided by the National Guard) burning 35 blocks of Greenwood, OK, and killing several dozen blacks.
Erosion of Labor Rights
National War Labor Board – NWLB (1918) established 8-hour day for workers during the war, allowed for unions to increase in size if they did not strike, assured time and a half pay for overtime, equal pay for women; increased workers’ expectations of what employers could do for them; postwar conditions changed, workers frustrated; during 1919 one in five workers in the U.S. went on strike; U.S. Steel hired Mexican and black workers to break strikes; new industries sought to hire non-union employees.
Public Employees – 1919 Boston police force went on strike over the right to form a union; Gov. Coolidge fired the entire force and was supported by the public and by anti-labor Supreme Court rulings; union membership fell from 5.1 million (1920) to 3.6 million (1929).

5. I. Conflicted Legacies of World War I
Erosion of Labor Rights
2. Public Employees
1919 Boston police force went on strike over the right to form a union
Gov. Coolidge fired the entire force and was supported by the public and by anti-labor Supreme Court rulings
union membership fell from 5.1 million (1920) to 3.6 million (1929).
Conflicted Legacies of World War I
Racial Strife
White Violence – return of black war veterans and increase of black migrants to the North led to backlash by whites; lynchings in the South rose (48 in 1917, 78 in 1919); several black men were lynched in uniform; lynching in Rosewood, FL, 1921 led to black residents arming themselves, mobs of whites burned their houses and attacked black citizens with no intervention by police.
Competition – large numbers of blacks, immigrants, and whites seeking work and housing increased tension in northern cities; deadly riots in East St. Louis (1917) and Chicago (1919); an alleged rape in Tulsa, OK, led to a white mob (aided by the National Guard) burning 35 blocks of Greenwood, OK, and killing several dozen blacks.
Erosion of Labor Rights
National War Labor Board – NWLB (1918) established 8-hour day for workers during the war, allowed for unions to increase in size if they did not strike, assured time and a half pay for overtime, equal pay for women; increased workers’ expectations of what employers could do for them; postwar conditions changed, workers frustrated; during 1919 one in five workers in the U.S. went on strike; U.S. Steel hired Mexican and black workers to break strikes; new industries sought to hire non-union employees.
Public Employees – 1919 Boston police force went on strike over the right to form a union; Gov. Coolidge fired the entire force and was supported by the public and by anti-labor Supreme Court rulings; union membership fell from 5.1 million (1920) to 3.6 million (1929).

6. I. Conflicted Legacies of World War I
The Red Scare
1. Bolsheviks
fear of Russian Bolsheviks grew in the U.S., coinciding with the rising cost of living (up 80% )
some new immigrants were socialists
Communist Party in the U.S. was small (fewer than 70,000 people) but the Bolsheviks founding of the Third International (Comintern) in 1919 increased fears among Americans that they would seek a revolution in the U.S.
2. Palmer Raids
3. Sacco and Vanzetti
Conflicted Legacies of World War I
The Red Scare
Bolsheviks – fear of Russian Bolsheviks grew in the U.S., coinciding with the rising cost of living (up 80% ); some new immigrants were socialists; Communist Party in the U.S. was small (fewer than 70,000 people) but the Bolsheviks founding of the Third International (Comintern) in 1919 increased fears among Americans that they would seek a revolution in the U.S.
Palmer Raids – April 1919 postal workers found 34 mail bombs sent to government officials; in June a bomb exploded outside of the home of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer; Palmer established an antiradicalism division in the Justice Dept. (FBI) and named J. Edgar Hoover to direct it; in November raids of radical organizations began; raids peaked in January 1920 with the arrest of 6,000 radicals; situation abated by summer.
Sacco and Vanzetti – May 1920 Nicola Sacco (shoemaker) and Bartolomeo Vanzetti (fish peddler) arrested in Massachusetts for the murder of two men during a hold up; they were self-proclaimed anarchists; convicted and sentenced to death despite lack of evidence and clear bias of prosecutor.

7. I. Conflicted Legacies of World War I
The Red Scare
2. Palmer Raids
April 1919 postal workers found 34 mail bombs sent to government officials
in June a bomb exploded outside of the home of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer
Palmer established an antiradicalism division in the Justice Dept. (FBI) and named J. Edgar Hoover to direct it
in November raids of radical organizations began
raids peaked in January 1920 with the arrest of 6,000 radicals
situation abated by summer.
3. Sacco and Vanzetti
Conflicted Legacies of World War I
The Red Scare
Bolsheviks – fear of Russian Bolsheviks grew in the U.S., coinciding with the rising cost of living (up 80% ); some new immigrants were socialists; Communist Party in the U.S. was small (fewer than 70,000 people) but the Bolsheviks founding of the Third International (Comintern) in 1919 increased fears among Americans that they would seek a revolution in the U.S.
Palmer Raids – April 1919 postal workers found 34 mail bombs sent to government officials; in June a bomb exploded outside of the home of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer; Palmer established an antiradicalism division in the Justice Dept. (FBI) and named J. Edgar Hoover to direct it; in November raids of radical organizations began; raids peaked in January 1920 with the arrest of 6,000 radicals; situation abated by summer.
Sacco and Vanzetti – May 1920 Nicola Sacco (shoemaker) and Bartolomeo Vanzetti (fish peddler) arrested in Massachusetts for the murder of two men during a hold up; they were self-proclaimed anarchists; convicted and sentenced to death despite lack of evidence and clear bias of prosecutor.

8. I. Conflicted Legacies of World War I
The Red Scare
3. Sacco and Vanzetti
May 1920 Nicola Sacco (shoemaker) and Bartolomeo Vanzetti (fish peddler) arrested in Massachusetts for the murder of two men during a hold up
they were self-proclaimed anarchist
convicted and sentenced to death despite lack of evidence and clear bias of prosecutor.
Conflicted Legacies of World War I
The Red Scare
Bolsheviks – fear of Russian Bolsheviks grew in the U.S., coinciding with the rising cost of living (up 80% ); some new immigrants were socialists; Communist Party in the U.S. was small (fewer than 70,000 people) but the Bolsheviks founding of the Third International (Comintern) in 1919 increased fears among Americans that they would seek a revolution in the U.S.
Palmer Raids – April 1919 postal workers found 34 mail bombs sent to government officials; in June a bomb exploded outside of the home of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer; Palmer established an antiradicalism division in the Justice Dept. (FBI) and named J. Edgar Hoover to direct it; in November raids of radical organizations began; raids peaked in January 1920 with the arrest of 6,000 radicals; situation abated by summer.
Sacco and Vanzetti – May 1920 Nicola Sacco (shoemaker) and Bartolomeo Vanzetti (fish peddler) arrested in Massachusetts for the murder of two men during a hold up; they were self-proclaimed anarchists; convicted and sentenced to death despite lack of evidence and clear bias of prosecutor.

9. II. Politics in the 1920s Women in Politics
1. Sheppard-Towner Act Federal Maternity and Infancy Act
progressive women hoped voting rights would lead to passage of important legislation in 1920s
1921 achieved passage of this Act provide federal money for medical clinics, prenatal education and visiting nurses
first time Congress gave money directly to states to administer social welfare
critics claimed it would create socialized medicine, ended late 1920s.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – international peace organization created in 1919; Jane Addams a founding member; protested imperialism and the negative repercussions of militarism; criticized during Red Scare.
2. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
Politics in the 1920s
Women in Politics
Sheppard-Towner Federal Maternity and Infancy Act – progressive women hoped voting rights would lead to passage of important legislation in 1920s; 1921 achieved passage of this Act provide federal money for medical clinics, prenatal education and visiting nurses; first time Congress gave money directly to states to administer social welfare; critics claimed it would create socialized medicine, ended late 1920s.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – international peace organization created in 1919; Jane Addams a founding member; protested imperialism and the negative repercussions of militarism; criticized during Red Scare.

10. II. Politics in the 1920s Women in Politics
2. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
(WILPF) – international peace organization created in 1919
Jane Addams a founding member
protested imperialism and the negative repercussions of militarism
criticized during Red Scare.
Politics in the 1920s
Women in Politics
Sheppard-Towner Federal Maternity and Infancy Act – progressive women hoped voting rights would lead to passage of important legislation in 1920s; 1921 achieved passage of this Act provide federal money for medical clinics, prenatal education and visiting nurses; first time Congress gave money directly to states to administer social welfare; critics claimed it would create socialized medicine, ended late 1920s.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – international peace organization created in 1919; Jane Addams a founding member; protested imperialism and the negative repercussions of militarism; criticized during Red Scare.

11. 1. What is the “League of Women Voters”?
(Answer: organization founded in 1920 to educate voters and work for legislation.)
2. What is the significance of the woman and child in this image?
(Answer: in the 1920s the League encouraged women to vote for legislation that would aid women and children, such as the Sheppard-Towner Act of 1921 [aid for maternal and child-care programs]; here the poster targets mothers and encourages them to vote in the interests of their children.)
3. A woman draped in a white gown towers over the young mother and points at the US Capitol building. Why?
(Answer: reminding women to consider the women who came before them and lobbied for the vote; encouraging them to vote to influence the decisions made in Washington, DC, by the federal government.)

12. 2. What is the significance of the woman and child in this image?
1. What is the “League of Women Voters”?
(Answer: organization founded in 1920 to educate voters and work for legislation.)
2. What is the significance of the woman and child in this image?
(Answer: in the 1920s the League encouraged women to vote for legislation that would aid women and children, such as the Sheppard-Towner Act of 1921 [aid for maternal and child-care programs]; here the poster targets mothers and encourages them to vote in the interests of their children.)
3. A woman draped in a white gown towers over the young mother and points at the US Capitol building. Why?
(Answer: reminding women to consider the women who came before them and lobbied for the vote; encouraging them to vote to influence the decisions made in Washington, DC, by the federal government.)

13. II. Politics in the 1920s Republican “Normalcy” 1. Warren Harding
Ohio Senator who promised “normalcy”
won 1920 in a landslide over James Cox
appointed Herbert Hoover as Sec. of Commerce; died of a heart attack August 1923
scandals revealed, included leasing of oil reserves to private companies (Teapot Dome Scandal).
2. Calvin Coolidge
wanted limited government, isolationism and tax cuts for businesses
Republicans did not want to continue most progressive measures from the 1910s, did not enforce antitrust laws.
Politics in the 1920s
Republican “Normalcy”
Warren Harding – Ohio Senator who promised “normalcy”; won 1920 in a landslide over James Cox; appointed Herbert Hoover as Sec. of Commerce; died of a heart attack August 1923; scandals revealed, included leasing of oil reserves to private companies (Teapot Dome Scandal).
Calvin Coolidge – wanted limited government, isolationism and tax cuts for businesses; Republicans did not want to continue most progressive measures from the 1910s, did not enforce antitrust laws. 13

14. II. Politics in the 1920s Dollar Diplomacy 1. Foreign Affairs
all three Republican presidents wanted private banks to make loans to foreigners, hoping to stimulate the U.S. economy by increasing demand for products
banks wanted government to ensure that loans would be paid back, even by unstable governments
banks gave loans with conditions such as oversight by bank commissions and military force by the U.S.
U.S. Marine occupation of Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Haiti began as part of forced-repayment
Americans saw these lands as “possessions.”
2. On the Defensive
Politics in the 1920s
Dollar Diplomacy
Foreign Affairs – all three Republican presidents wanted private banks to make loans to foreigners, hoping to stimulate the U.S. economy by increasing demand for products; banks wanted government to ensure that loans would be paid back, even by unstable governments; banks gave loans with conditions such as oversight by bank commissions and military force by the U.S.; U.S. Marine occupation of Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Haiti began as part of forced-repayment; Americans saw these lands as “possessions.”
On the Defensive – critics called loan guarantees and military intervention as “dollar diplomacy”; African Americans criticized American involvement in Haiti; WILPF visitors to Haiti in 1926 claimed that U.S. soldiers were exploiting Haitian women; calls for isolationism forced presidents to defend these foreign relationships.

15. II. Politics in the 1920s Dollar Diplomacy 2. On the Defensive
critics called loan guarantees and military intervention as “dollar diplomacy”
African Americans criticized American involvement in Haiti
WILPF visitors to Haiti in 1926 claimed that U.S. soldiers were exploiting Haitian women
calls for isolationism forced presidents to defend these foreign relationships.
Politics in the 1920s
Dollar Diplomacy
Foreign Affairs – all three Republican presidents wanted private banks to make loans to foreigners, hoping to stimulate the U.S. economy by increasing demand for products; banks wanted government to ensure that loans would be paid back, even by unstable governments; banks gave loans with conditions such as oversight by bank commissions and military force by the U.S.; U.S. Marine occupation of Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Haiti began as part of forced-repayment; Americans saw these lands as “possessions.”
On the Defensive – critics called loan guarantees and military intervention as “dollar diplomacy”; African Americans criticized American involvement in Haiti; WILPF visitors to Haiti in 1926 claimed that U.S. soldiers were exploiting Haitian women; calls for isolationism forced presidents to defend these foreign relationships.

16. II. Politics in the 1920s D. Culture Wars 1. Religion in Politics
rural and native-born Protestants wanted prohibition, aided by calls that drinking German beer was “unpatriotic” during World War I
18th Amendment passed in 1917 and ratified by 1920; prohibited manufacture, sale, transport of “intoxicating liquors”
state and local school boards in some areas wanted to mandate school curricula based on Biblical teachings
Tennessee took the lead on this by outlawing the teaching of any theory that did not hold Biblical teachings central to the existence of humans
2. Nativism
3. The Klan Revived
4. The Election of 1928
Politics in the 1920s
D. Culture Wars
Religion in Politics – rural and native-born Protestants wanted prohibition, aided by calls that drinking German beer was “unpatriotic” during World War I; 18th Amendment passed in 1917 and ratified by 1920; prohibited manufacture, sale, transport of “intoxicating liquors”; state and local school boards in some areas wanted to mandate school curricula based on Biblical teachings; Tennessee took the lead on this by outlawing the teaching of any theory that did not hold Biblical teachings central to the existence of humans; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened in the case of John Scopes (high school biology teacher) who faced a jail sentence for teaching evolution; press called case the “monkey trial”; jury took eight minutes to find Scopes guilty, Tennessee Supreme Court later overturned.
Nativism – fears about unrestricted immigration by native-born Protestants who believed them to be the cause of problems in U.S.; Catholics and Jews were targets of hostility; Coolidge: “America must be kept American”; arguments that immigrants undermined Christianity, imported anarchism, socialism; The National Origins Act (1924) used the 1890 census to determine how many people could enter from individual nations; further restricted immigration from Europe in 1929; immigrants from Western Hemisphere were allowed to come unrestricted; Great Depression led to cuts in immigration from Mexico; hostility towards Asians grew in California.
The Klan Revived – following The Birth of a Nation (1915 film) the KKK grew, targeting Jews and Catholics; ran for political offices and won; more than 3 million members at height.
The Election of 1928 – Catholic Gov. Al Smith (D-NY) against Herbert Hoover, Sec. of Commerce; opponents: “No Governor can kiss the papal ring and get within gunshot of the White House”; Hoover won 58% of popular vote and 444 electoral votes. 16

17. II. Politics in the 1920s D. Culture Wars
1. Religion in Politics (Cont’d)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened in the case of John Scopes (high school biology teacher) who faced a jail sentence for teaching evolution; press called case the “monkey trial”
jury took eight minutes to find Scopes guilty, Tennessee Supreme Court later overturned.
2. Nativism
3. The Klan Revived
4. The Election of 1928
Politics in the 1920s
D. Culture Wars
Religion in Politics – rural and native-born Protestants wanted prohibition, aided by calls that drinking German beer was “unpatriotic” during World War I; 18th Amendment passed in 1917 and ratified by 1920; prohibited manufacture, sale, transport of “intoxicating liquors”; state and local school boards in some areas wanted to mandate school curricula based on Biblical teachings; Tennessee took the lead on this by outlawing the teaching of any theory that did not hold Biblical teachings central to the existence of humans; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened in the case of John Scopes (high school biology teacher) who faced a jail sentence for teaching evolution; press called case the “monkey trial”; jury took eight minutes to find Scopes guilty, Tennessee Supreme Court later overturned.
Nativism – fears about unrestricted immigration by native-born Protestants who believed them to be the cause of problems in U.S.; Catholics and Jews were targets of hostility; Coolidge: “America must be kept American”; arguments that immigrants undermined Christianity, imported anarchism, socialism; The National Origins Act (1924) used the 1890 census to determine how many people could enter from individual nations; further restricted immigration from Europe in 1929; immigrants from Western Hemisphere were allowed to come unrestricted; Great Depression led to cuts in immigration from Mexico; hostility towards Asians grew in California.
The Klan Revived – following The Birth of a Nation (1915 film) the KKK grew, targeting Jews and Catholics; ran for political offices and won; more than 3 million members at height.
The Election of 1928 – Catholic Gov. Al Smith (D-NY) against Herbert Hoover, Sec. of Commerce; opponents: “No Governor can kiss the papal ring and get within gunshot of the White House”; Hoover won 58% of popular vote and 444 electoral votes. 17

18. II. Politics in the 1920s D. Culture Wars 2. Nativism
fears about unrestricted immigration by native-born Protestants who believed them to be the cause of problems in U.S.
Catholics and Jews were targets of hostility; Coolidge: “America must be kept American”
arguments that immigrants undermined Christianity, imported anarchism, socialism
The National Origins Act (1924) used the 1890 census to determine how many people could enter from individual nations
3. The Klan Revived
4. The Election of 1928
Politics in the 1920s
D. Culture Wars
Religion in Politics – rural and native-born Protestants wanted prohibition, aided by calls that drinking German beer was “unpatriotic” during World War I; 18th Amendment passed in 1917 and ratified by 1920; prohibited manufacture, sale, transport of “intoxicating liquors”; state and local school boards in some areas wanted to mandate school curricula based on Biblical teachings; Tennessee took the lead on this by outlawing the teaching of any theory that did not hold Biblical teachings central to the existence of humans; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened in the case of John Scopes (high school biology teacher) who faced a jail sentence for teaching evolution; press called case the “monkey trial”; jury took eight minutes to find Scopes guilty, Tennessee Supreme Court later overturned.
Nativism – fears about unrestricted immigration by native-born Protestants who believed them to be the cause of problems in U.S.; Catholics and Jews were targets of hostility; Coolidge: “America must be kept American”; arguments that immigrants undermined Christianity, imported anarchism, socialism; The National Origins Act (1924) used the 1890 census to determine how many people could enter from individual nations; further restricted immigration from Europe in 1929; immigrants from Western Hemisphere were allowed to come unrestricted; Great Depression led to cuts in immigration from Mexico; hostility towards Asians grew in California.
The Klan Revived – following The Birth of a Nation (1915 film) the KKK grew, targeting Jews and Catholics; ran for political offices and won; more than 3 million members at height.
The Election of 1928 – Catholic Gov. Al Smith (D-NY) against Herbert Hoover, Sec. of Commerce; opponents: “No Governor can kiss the papal ring and get within gunshot of the White House”; Hoover won 58% of popular vote and 444 electoral votes. 18

19. II. Politics in the 1920s D. Culture Wars 2. Nativism (Cont’d)
further restricted immigration from Europe in 1929; immigrants from Western Hemisphere were allowed to come unrestricted
Great Depression led to cuts in immigration from Mexico; hostility towards Asians grew in California.
3. The Klan Revived
following The Birth of a Nation (1915 film) the KKK grew, targeting Jews and Catholics
ran for political offices and won
more than 3 million members at height.
4. The Election of 1928
Politics in the 1920s
D. Culture Wars
Religion in Politics – rural and native-born Protestants wanted prohibition, aided by calls that drinking German beer was “unpatriotic” during World War I; 18th Amendment passed in 1917 and ratified by 1920; prohibited manufacture, sale, transport of “intoxicating liquors”; state and local school boards in some areas wanted to mandate school curricula based on Biblical teachings; Tennessee took the lead on this by outlawing the teaching of any theory that did not hold Biblical teachings central to the existence of humans; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened in the case of John Scopes (high school biology teacher) who faced a jail sentence for teaching evolution; press called case the “monkey trial”; jury took eight minutes to find Scopes guilty, Tennessee Supreme Court later overturned.
Nativism – fears about unrestricted immigration by native-born Protestants who believed them to be the cause of problems in U.S.; Catholics and Jews were targets of hostility; Coolidge: “America must be kept American”; arguments that immigrants undermined Christianity, imported anarchism, socialism; The National Origins Act (1924) used the 1890 census to determine how many people could enter from individual nations; further restricted immigration from Europe in 1929; immigrants from Western Hemisphere were allowed to come unrestricted; Great Depression led to cuts in immigration from Mexico; hostility towards Asians grew in California.
The Klan Revived – following The Birth of a Nation (1915 film) the KKK grew, targeting Jews and Catholics; ran for political offices and won; more than 3 million members at height.
The Election of 1928 – Catholic Gov. Al Smith (D-NY) against Herbert Hoover, Sec. of Commerce; opponents: “No Governor can kiss the papal ring and get within gunshot of the White House”; Hoover won 58% of popular vote and 444 electoral votes. 19

20. II. Politics in the 1920s D. Culture Wars 4. The Election of 1928
Catholic Gov. Al Smith (D-NY) against Herbert Hoover, Sec. of Commerce
opponents: “No Governor can kiss the papal ring and get within gunshot of the White House”
Hoover won 58% of popular vote and 444 electoral votes.
Politics in the 1920s
D. Culture Wars
Religion in Politics – rural and native-born Protestants wanted prohibition, aided by calls that drinking German beer was “unpatriotic” during World War I; 18th Amendment passed in 1917 and ratified by 1920; prohibited manufacture, sale, transport of “intoxicating liquors”; state and local school boards in some areas wanted to mandate school curricula based on Biblical teachings; Tennessee took the lead on this by outlawing the teaching of any theory that did not hold Biblical teachings central to the existence of humans; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened in the case of John Scopes (high school biology teacher) who faced a jail sentence for teaching evolution; press called case the “monkey trial”; jury took eight minutes to find Scopes guilty, Tennessee Supreme Court later overturned.
Nativism – fears about unrestricted immigration by native-born Protestants who believed them to be the cause of problems in U.S.; Catholics and Jews were targets of hostility; Coolidge: “America must be kept American”; arguments that immigrants undermined Christianity, imported anarchism, socialism; The National Origins Act (1924) used the 1890 census to determine how many people could enter from individual nations; further restricted immigration from Europe in 1929; immigrants from Western Hemisphere were allowed to come unrestricted; Great Depression led to cuts in immigration from Mexico; hostility towards Asians grew in California.
The Klan Revived – following The Birth of a Nation (1915 film) the KKK grew, targeting Jews and Catholics; ran for political offices and won; more than 3 million members at height.
The Election of 1928 – Catholic Gov. Al Smith (D-NY) against Herbert Hoover, Sec. of Commerce; opponents: “No Governor can kiss the papal ring and get within gunshot of the White House”; Hoover won 58% of popular vote and 444 electoral votes. 20

21. 1. What are these men demanding in this 1933 march?
(Answer: repeal of the 18th Amendment or the Volstead Act, which prohibited the sale, manufacture and transport of alcoholic beverages, including beer.)
2. In your opinion, why did the ending Prohibition take on a more urgent tone in 1933?
(Answer: students might discuss the impact of the Great Depression, the impact re-opening sale, manufacture, and transport would have on the need for jobs in the US.)

22. 2. In your opinion, why did the ending Prohibition take on a more urgent tone in 1933?
1. What are these men demanding in this 1933 march?
(Answer: repeal of the 18th Amendment or the Volstead Act, which prohibited the sale, manufacture and transport of alcoholic beverages, including beer.)
2. In your opinion, why did the ending Prohibition take on a more urgent tone in 1933?
(Answer: students might discuss the impact of the Great Depression, the impact re-opening sale, manufacture, and transport would have on the need for jobs in the US.)

23. 1. What does this photograph of US Border Patrol agents in Texas reveal about the American society in 1926?
1. What does this photograph of US Border Patrol agents in Texas reveal about the American society in 1926?
(Answer: Americans were increasingly wary of immigrants entering the country across the Mexican border; here is an example of the federal government’s effort to slow and/or halt the flow.)
2. The National Origins Act of 1924 set guidelines for the percentage of immigrants of various nationalities who could legally enter the United States until Although many white Americans were themselves descended from immigrants, what led to the passage of such legislation?
(Answer: increased presence of Catholics and Jews by 1920s led nativists to call for restrictions similar to those already in place since the 19th century against Chinese who wanted to come to the US; during the Red Scare native-born Protestant Americans called for limiting southern and eastern Europeans who they charged might be political radicals.)

24. 2. The National Origins Act of 1924 set guidelines for the percentage of immigrants of various nationalities who could legally enter the United States until Although many white Americans were themselves descended from immigrants, what led to the passage of such legislation?
1. What does this photograph of US Border Patrol agents in Texas reveal about the American society in 1926?
(Answer: Americans were increasingly wary of immigrants entering the country across the Mexican border; here is an example of the federal government’s effort to slow and/or halt the flow.)
2. The National Origins Act of 1924 set guidelines for the percentage of immigrants of various nationalities who could legally enter the United States until Although many white Americans were themselves descended from immigrants, what led to the passage of such legislation?
(Answer: increased presence of Catholics and Jews by 1920s led nativists to call for restrictions similar to those already in place since the 19th century against Chinese who wanted to come to the US; during the Red Scare native-born Protestant Americans called for limiting southern and eastern Europeans who they charged might be political radicals.)

25. 1. How does this image of women in the Klan challenge our perceptions of the KKK in American history?
1. How does this image of women in the Klan challenge our perceptions of the KKK in American history?
(Answer: often we think of the KKK as groups of men with their faces shrouded in secrecy, burning crosses, lynching black men and women in the southern states.)
2. This photograph captures a 1928 march. What events and/or social changes might have led to women joining the Klan in large numbers during the 1920s?
(Answer: presence and influence of immigrants living in American cities; competition for housing and jobs; worsening economic problems in agricultural communities leading to more tension between white and black Americans; increased prominence of Fundamentalist religious beliefs when the presence of Catholics and Jews in the US had been on the rise; a general sense of fear among those who want to cling to traditional ideas.)
3. In your opinion, what does the existence of female Klan members, marching with their faces exposed, reveal to us about American society in this era?
(Answer: a willingness to express their political viewpoints without secrecy, embarrassment or shame indicates that they felt their perspective was widely accepted and perhaps representative of others who were not marching with them.)

26. 2. This photograph captures a 1928 march
2. This photograph captures a 1928 march. What events and/or social changes might have led to women joining the Klan in large numbers during the 1920s?
1. How does this image of women in the Klan challenge our perceptions of the KKK in American history?
(Answer: often we think of the KKK as groups of men with their faces shrouded in secrecy, burning crosses, lynching black men and women in the southern states.)
2. This photograph captures a 1928 march. What events and/or social changes might have led to women joining the Klan in large numbers during the 1920s?
(Answer: presence and influence of immigrants living in American cities; competition for housing and jobs; worsening economic problems in agricultural communities leading to more tension between white and black Americans; increased prominence of Fundamentalist religious beliefs when the presence of Catholics and Jews in the US had been on the rise; a general sense of fear among those who want to cling to traditional ideas.)
3. In your opinion, what does the existence of female Klan members, marching with their faces exposed, reveal to us about American society in this era?
(Answer: a willingness to express their political viewpoints without secrecy, embarrassment or shame indicates that they felt their perspective was widely accepted and perhaps representative of others who were not marching with them.)

29. III. Intellectual Modernism
Harlem in Vogue (Black population of NY tripled ; black artists and writers migrated to Harlem.)
1. Jazz
most visible piece of Harlem culture for most Americans
started in New Orleans before World War I
combination of blues, ragtime, and other musical forms
improvised solo made trumpeter Louis Armstrong a star
radio helped grow the nationwide popularity of jazz
1920s saw advent of companies producing “race records” for black audiences, records for immigrant communities in native languages.
2. Marcus Garvey and the UNIA
Critiquing American Life
1. The Lost Generation
2. The Dark Side
Intellectual Modernism
Harlem in Vogue (Black population of NY tripled ; black artists and writers migrated to Harlem.)
Jazz – most visible piece of Harlem culture for most Americans; started in New Orleans before World War I; combination of blues, ragtime, and other musical forms; improvised solo made trumpeter Louis Armstrong a star; radio helped grow the nationwide popularity of jazz; 1920s saw advent of companies producing “race records” for black audiences, records for immigrant communities in native languages.
Marcus Garvey and the UNIA – United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) formed in 1920s’ Harlem; Garvey: born in Jamaica, advocated black separatism, claimed to have 4 million followers; published Negro World and sought to create a steamship company to bring blacks back to Africa, The Black Star Line; Garvey imprisoned for mail fraud and deported in 1925; symbol of emerging “pan-Africanism”: idea that people of African descent had a common destiny and should cooperate in political action.
Critiquing American Life
The Lost Generation – post-World War I voices proclaimed growing dissent: Gertrude Stein called those who survived the war “the Lost Generation”; John Dos Passos criticized the war in The Three Soldiers (1921), as did Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises (1926) and A Farewell to Arms (1929).
The Dark Side – examinations of the dark side of human beings: Eugene O’Neill in Desire Under the Elms and The Emperor Jones (1920); Sinclair Lewis criticized conformity in Babbitt (1922); 1930 Lewis first American to win Nobel Prize for literature; F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) criticized the pursuit of pleasure and wealth.

30. III. Intellectual Modernism
Harlem in Vogue (Black population of NY tripled ; black artists and writers migrated to Harlem.)
2. Marcus Garvey and the UNIA
United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) formed in 1920s’ Harlem
Garvey: born in Jamaica, advocated black separatism, claimed to have 4 million followers
published Negro World and sought to create a steamship company to bring blacks back to Africa, The Black Star Line
Garvey imprisoned for mail fraud and deported in 1925; symbol of emerging “pan-Africanism”: idea that people of African descent had a common destiny and should cooperate in political action.
Critiquing American Life
1. The Lost Generation
2. The Dark Side
Intellectual Modernism
Harlem in Vogue (Black population of NY tripled ; black artists and writers migrated to Harlem.)
Jazz – most visible piece of Harlem culture for most Americans; started in New Orleans before World War I; combination of blues, ragtime, and other musical forms; improvised solo made trumpeter Louis Armstrong a star; radio helped grow the nationwide popularity of jazz; 1920s saw advent of companies producing “race records” for black audiences, records for immigrant communities in native languages.
Marcus Garvey and the UNIA – United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) formed in 1920s’ Harlem; Garvey: born in Jamaica, advocated black separatism, claimed to have 4 million followers; published Negro World and sought to create a steamship company to bring blacks back to Africa, The Black Star Line; Garvey imprisoned for mail fraud and deported in 1925; symbol of emerging “pan-Africanism”: idea that people of African descent had a common destiny and should cooperate in political action.
Critiquing American Life
The Lost Generation – post-World War I voices proclaimed growing dissent: Gertrude Stein called those who survived the war “the Lost Generation”; John Dos Passos criticized the war in The Three Soldiers (1921), as did Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises (1926) and A Farewell to Arms (1929).
The Dark Side – examinations of the dark side of human beings: Eugene O’Neill in Desire Under the Elms and The Emperor Jones (1920); Sinclair Lewis criticized conformity in Babbitt (1922); 1930 Lewis first American to win Nobel Prize for literature; F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) criticized the pursuit of pleasure and wealth.

31. III. Intellectual Modernism
Critiquing American Life
1. The Lost Generation
post-World War I voices proclaimed growing dissent: Gertrude Stein called those who survived the war “the Lost Generation”
John Dos Passos criticized the war in The Three Soldiers (1921), as did Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises (1926) and A Farewell to Arms (1929).
Intellectual Modernism
Harlem in Vogue (Black population of NY tripled ; black artists and writers migrated to Harlem.)
Jazz – most visible piece of Harlem culture for most Americans; started in New Orleans before World War I; combination of blues, ragtime, and other musical forms; improvised solo made trumpeter Louis Armstrong a star; radio helped grow the nationwide popularity of jazz; 1920s saw advent of companies producing “race records” for black audiences, records for immigrant communities in native languages.
Marcus Garvey and the UNIA – United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) formed in 1920s’ Harlem; Garvey: born in Jamaica, advocated black separatism, claimed to have 4 million followers; published Negro World and sought to create a steamship company to bring blacks back to Africa, The Black Star Line; Garvey imprisoned for mail fraud and deported in 1925; symbol of emerging “pan-Africanism”: idea that people of African descent had a common destiny and should cooperate in political action.
Critiquing American Life
The Lost Generation – post-World War I voices proclaimed growing dissent: Gertrude Stein called those who survived the war “the Lost Generation”; John Dos Passos criticized the war in The Three Soldiers (1921), as did Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises (1926) and A Farewell to Arms (1929).
The Dark Side – examinations of the dark side of human beings: Eugene O’Neill in Desire Under the Elms and The Emperor Jones (1920); Sinclair Lewis criticized conformity in Babbitt (1922); 1930 Lewis first American to win Nobel Prize for literature; F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) criticized the pursuit of pleasure and wealth.

32. III. Intellectual Modernism
Critiquing American Life
2. The Dark Side
examinations of the dark side of human beings: Eugene O’Neill in Desire Under the Elms and The Emperor Jones (1920)
Sinclair Lewis criticized conformity in Babbitt (1922)
1930 Lewis first American to win Nobel Prize for literature
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) criticized the pursuit of pleasure and wealth.
Intellectual Modernism
Harlem in Vogue (Black population of NY tripled ; black artists and writers migrated to Harlem.)
Jazz – most visible piece of Harlem culture for most Americans; started in New Orleans before World War I; combination of blues, ragtime, and other musical forms; improvised solo made trumpeter Louis Armstrong a star; radio helped grow the nationwide popularity of jazz; 1920s saw advent of companies producing “race records” for black audiences, records for immigrant communities in native languages.
Marcus Garvey and the UNIA – United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) formed in 1920s’ Harlem; Garvey: born in Jamaica, advocated black separatism, claimed to have 4 million followers; published Negro World and sought to create a steamship company to bring blacks back to Africa, The Black Star Line; Garvey imprisoned for mail fraud and deported in 1925; symbol of emerging “pan-Africanism”: idea that people of African descent had a common destiny and should cooperate in political action.
Critiquing American Life
The Lost Generation – post-World War I voices proclaimed growing dissent: Gertrude Stein called those who survived the war “the Lost Generation”; John Dos Passos criticized the war in The Three Soldiers (1921), as did Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises (1926) and A Farewell to Arms (1929).
The Dark Side – examinations of the dark side of human beings: Eugene O’Neill in Desire Under the Elms and The Emperor Jones (1920); Sinclair Lewis criticized conformity in Babbitt (1922); 1930 Lewis first American to win Nobel Prize for literature; F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) criticized the pursuit of pleasure and wealth.

33. IV. From Boom to Bust Business after the War 1. Corporate Monopolies
by 1920s corporations were the majority of business in the U.S.
a few major producers were at the top of most markets (oligopoly)
mergers between banks made Wall Street the financial center of U.S.
post-World War I inflation was followed by two years of recession with 10% unemployment
expansion from 1922 to 1929 as a result of rise in spending on consumer products.
2. Welfare Capitalism
Consumer Culture
1. “Buy Now, Pay Later”
2. The Automobile
3. Hollywood
From Boom to Bust
Business after the War
Corporate Monopolies – by 1920s corporations were the majority of business in the U.S.; a few major producers were at the top of most markets (oligopoly); mergers between banks made Wall Street the financial center of U.S.; post-World War I inflation was followed by two years of recession with 10% unemployment; expansion from 1922 to 1929 as a result of rise in spending on consumer products.
Welfare Capitalism – management’s responsibility for the well-being of employees, hope for a more loyal workforce and fewer strikes; about 5% of companies offered health insurance and old-age pensions; agriculture very weak during 1920s.
Consumer Culture
“Buy Now, Pay Later” – advertising suggested to Americans things they might want and/or need: “Sell them their dreams”; both the poor and the wealthy used installment plans to overextend themselves during the 1920s.
The Automobile – mass production aided Americans in spending $2.58 billion on automobiles in 1929; stimulated other industries: steel, petroleum, chemical, rubber, glass; helped grow suburbs and the new “shopping center”; hurt the railroad industry; in rural areas schools, churches were consolidated.
Hollywood – by 1910 movie-making industry was growing in California on cheap land; young people followed the fashions of movie actors, including flapper Clara Bow from “It”; flappers represented social and sexual emancipation for women.

34. IV. From Boom to Bust Business after the War 2. Welfare Capitalism
management’s responsibility for the well-being of employees, hope for a more loyal workforce and fewer strikes
about 5% of companies offered health insurance and old-age pensions
agriculture very weak during 1920s.
Consumer Culture
1. “Buy Now, Pay Later”
2. The Automobile
3. Hollywood
From Boom to Bust
Business after the War
Corporate Monopolies – by 1920s corporations were the majority of business in the U.S.; a few major producers were at the top of most markets (oligopoly); mergers between banks made Wall Street the financial center of U.S.; post-World War I inflation was followed by two years of recession with 10% unemployment; expansion from 1922 to 1929 as a result of rise in spending on consumer products.
Welfare Capitalism – management’s responsibility for the well-being of employees, hope for a more loyal workforce and fewer strikes; about 5% of companies offered health insurance and old-age pensions; agriculture very weak during 1920s.
Consumer Culture
“Buy Now, Pay Later” – advertising suggested to Americans things they might want and/or need: “Sell them their dreams”; both the poor and the wealthy used installment plans to overextend themselves during the 1920s.
The Automobile – mass production aided Americans in spending $2.58 billion on automobiles in 1929; stimulated other industries: steel, petroleum, chemical, rubber, glass; helped grow suburbs and the new “shopping center”; hurt the railroad industry; in rural areas schools, churches were consolidated.
Hollywood – by 1910 movie-making industry was growing in California on cheap land; young people followed the fashions of movie actors, including flapper Clara Bow from “It”; flappers represented social and sexual emancipation for women.

35. IV. From Boom to Bust B. Consumer Culture 1. “Buy Now, Pay Later”
advertising suggested to Americans things they might want and/or need: “Sell them their dreams”
both the poor and the wealthy used installment plans to overextend themselves during the 1920s.
From Boom to Bust
Business after the War
Corporate Monopolies – by 1920s corporations were the majority of business in the U.S.; a few major producers were at the top of most markets (oligopoly); mergers between banks made Wall Street the financial center of U.S.; post-World War I inflation was followed by two years of recession with 10% unemployment; expansion from 1922 to 1929 as a result of rise in spending on consumer products.
Welfare Capitalism – management’s responsibility for the well-being of employees, hope for a more loyal workforce and fewer strikes; about 5% of companies offered health insurance and old-age pensions; agriculture very weak during 1920s.
Consumer Culture
“Buy Now, Pay Later” – advertising suggested to Americans things they might want and/or need: “Sell them their dreams”; both the poor and the wealthy used installment plans to overextend themselves during the 1920s.
The Automobile – mass production aided Americans in spending $2.58 billion on automobiles in 1929; stimulated other industries: steel, petroleum, chemical, rubber, glass; helped grow suburbs and the new “shopping center”; hurt the railroad industry; in rural areas schools, churches were consolidated.
Hollywood – by 1910 movie-making industry was growing in California on cheap land; young people followed the fashions of movie actors, including flapper Clara Bow from “It”; flappers represented social and sexual emancipation for women.

36. IV. From Boom to Bust B. Consumer Culture 2. The Automobile
mass production aided Americans in spending $2.58 billion on automobiles in 1929
stimulated other industries: steel, petroleum, chemical, rubber, glass; helped grow suburbs and the new “shopping center”
hurt the railroad industry
in rural areas schools, churches were consolidated.
From Boom to Bust
Business after the War
Corporate Monopolies – by 1920s corporations were the majority of business in the U.S.; a few major producers were at the top of most markets (oligopoly); mergers between banks made Wall Street the financial center of U.S.; post-World War I inflation was followed by two years of recession with 10% unemployment; expansion from 1922 to 1929 as a result of rise in spending on consumer products.
Welfare Capitalism – management’s responsibility for the well-being of employees, hope for a more loyal workforce and fewer strikes; about 5% of companies offered health insurance and old-age pensions; agriculture very weak during 1920s.
Consumer Culture
“Buy Now, Pay Later” – advertising suggested to Americans things they might want and/or need: “Sell them their dreams”; both the poor and the wealthy used installment plans to overextend themselves during the 1920s.
The Automobile – mass production aided Americans in spending $2.58 billion on automobiles in 1929; stimulated other industries: steel, petroleum, chemical, rubber, glass; helped grow suburbs and the new “shopping center”; hurt the railroad industry; in rural areas schools, churches were consolidated.
Hollywood – by 1910 movie-making industry was growing in California on cheap land; young people followed the fashions of movie actors, including flapper Clara Bow from “It”; flappers represented social and sexual emancipation for women.

37. IV. From Boom to Bust B. Consumer Culture 3. Hollywood
by 1910 movie-making industry was growing in California on cheap land
young people followed the fashions of movie actors, including flapper Clara Bow from “It”
flappers represented social and sexual emancipation for women.
From Boom to Bust
Business after the War
Corporate Monopolies – by 1920s corporations were the majority of business in the U.S.; a few major producers were at the top of most markets (oligopoly); mergers between banks made Wall Street the financial center of U.S.; post-World War I inflation was followed by two years of recession with 10% unemployment; expansion from 1922 to 1929 as a result of rise in spending on consumer products.
Welfare Capitalism – management’s responsibility for the well-being of employees, hope for a more loyal workforce and fewer strikes; about 5% of companies offered health insurance and old-age pensions; agriculture very weak during 1920s.
Consumer Culture
“Buy Now, Pay Later” – advertising suggested to Americans things they might want and/or need: “Sell them their dreams”; both the poor and the wealthy used installment plans to overextend themselves during the 1920s.
The Automobile – mass production aided Americans in spending $2.58 billion on automobiles in 1929; stimulated other industries: steel, petroleum, chemical, rubber, glass; helped grow suburbs and the new “shopping center”; hurt the railroad industry; in rural areas schools, churches were consolidated.
Hollywood – by 1910 movie-making industry was growing in California on cheap land; young people followed the fashions of movie actors, including flapper Clara Bow from “It”; flappers represented social and sexual emancipation for women.

38. 1. Charlie Chaplin’s silent films are a notable example of American popular culture before the Great Depression. Why was film such a significant mode of entertainment in this period?
1. Charlie Chaplin’s silent films are a notable example of American popular culture before the Great Depression. Why was film such a significant mode of entertainment in this period?
(Answer: tickets were affordable to the working class; comedies and melodramas were entertaining; silent films were accessible to immigrants who did not speak English.)
2. In addition to seeing films, how did Americans spend their leisure time in the early twentieth century?
(Answer: listening to jazz and other forms of music, listening to radio programs, sporting events such as baseball and boxing, playing tennis and golf, swimming, going to amusement parks, touring via automobile and railroad, reading magazines and newspapers.)
3. How did these shared experiences with popular culture influence American society?
(Answer: for some Americans these new ideas and experiences were positive and offered the potential for commonality across economic, ethnic and racial divides; others viewed popular culture [especially jazz music, flappers] as negative influences and bearing potentially disastrous consequences for American youth.)

39. 2. In addition to seeing films, how did Americans spend their leisure time in the early twentieth century?
1. Charlie Chaplin’s silent films are a notable example of American popular culture before the Great Depression. Why was film such a significant mode of entertainment in this period?
(Answer: tickets were affordable to the working class; comedies and melodramas were entertaining; silent films were accessible to immigrants who did not speak English.)
2. In addition to seeing films, how did Americans spend their leisure time in the early twentieth century?
(Answer: listening to jazz and other forms of music, listening to radio programs, sporting events such as baseball and boxing, playing tennis and golf, swimming, going to amusement parks, touring via automobile and railroad, reading magazines and newspapers.)
3. How did these shared experiences with popular culture influence American society?
(Answer: for some Americans these new ideas and experiences were positive and offered the potential for commonality across economic, ethnic and racial divides; others viewed popular culture [especially jazz music, flappers] as negative influences and bearing potentially disastrous consequences for American youth.)

40. IV. From Boom to Bust The Coming of the Great Depression 1. Causes
too much lending ($7 billion/year by 1927)
drop in consumer spending as credit became more difficult to get
global economic problems
adherence to the gold standard, which the British and Germans had abandoned with some positive results in 1931.
2. President Hoover
From Boom to Bust
The Coming of the Great Depression
Causes – too much lending ($7 billion/year by 1927); drop in consumer spending as credit became more difficult to get; global economic problems; adherence to the gold standard, which the British and Germans had abandoned with some positive results in 1931.
President Hoover – created Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to give federal loans to banks, railroads, utilities; cut taxes; tried to stimulate economy through manufacturing; conditions worsened.

41. IV. From Boom to Bust The Coming of the Great Depression 1. Causes
too much lending ($7 billion/year by 1927)
drop in consumer spending as credit became more difficult to get
global economic problems
adherence to the gold standard, which the British and Germans had abandoned with some positive results in 1931.
2. President Hoover
created Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to give federal loans to banks, railroads, utilities
cut taxes
tried to stimulate economy through manufacturing; conditions worsened.
From Boom to Bust
The Coming of the Great Depression
Causes – too much lending ($7 billion/year by 1927); drop in consumer spending as credit became more difficult to get; global economic problems; adherence to the gold standard, which the British and Germans had abandoned with some positive results in 1931.
President Hoover – created Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to give federal loans to banks, railroads, utilities; cut taxes; tried to stimulate economy through manufacturing; conditions worsened.