1920s: Cultural and Political Controversies - AP U.S. History
- What was the Great Migration?
- The movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban North. Driven by economic opportunities and escape from Jim Crow laws.
- Name a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
- Langston Hughes. Influential poet who wrote about African American experiences and jazz culture.
- Name one author from the Lost Generation.
- Ernest Hemingway. Nobel Prize winner known for his spare, understated writing style.
- What was the impact of radio on American culture in the 1920s?
- Unified national culture and widespread information dissemination. Created the first truly national medium for news and entertainment.
- What was the main goal of the Prohibition movement in the 1920s?
- To ban the sale and consumption of alcohol. Led by temperance groups who believed alcohol caused social problems.
- What characterized the economy of the 1920s?
- Rapid industrial growth and consumerism. Known as the 'Roaring Twenties' due to unprecedented prosperity.
- What was the primary function of speakeasies?
- Illegal bars selling alcohol during Prohibition. Hidden establishments that became centers of social life despite Prohibition.
- Which law was challenged in the Scopes Trial?
- The Butler Act. Tennessee law that prohibited teaching evolution in public schools.
- What was the significance of the Scopes Trial?
- It challenged the legality of teaching evolution in schools. Highlighted the conflict between religious fundamentalism and modern science.
- What was one effect of the economic boom of the 1920s?
- Increased consumer spending and stock market speculation. Created an overheated economy that contributed to the 1929 crash.
- Identify the president associated with the Teapot Dome Scandal.
- Warren G. Harding. His administration was plagued by corruption scandals and cronyism.
- What was the Harlem Renaissance?
- A cultural revival of African American arts in the 1920s. Centered in Harlem, it celebrated African American literature, music, and art.
- Which innovation is Henry Ford famous for in the 1920s?
- The assembly line production method. Mass production made cars affordable, revolutionizing American manufacturing.
- What was the objective of the Immigration Act of 1924?
- To limit the number of immigrants from certain countries. Established national quotas favoring Northern and Western Europeans.
- Who was a famous jazz musician of the Jazz Age?
- Louis Armstrong. Pioneering trumpeter who popularized jazz improvisation and scat singing.
- Name one popular dance of the 1920s.
- The Charleston. Energetic dance that embodied the rebellious spirit of the decade.
- What did the term 'Lost Generation' refer to?
- Disillusioned American writers post-World War I. Writers like Hemingway and Fitzgerald who rejected traditional American values.
- What was a key feature of the 1920s economy?
- Consumer credit and installment buying. Allowed people to buy expensive goods with monthly payments.
- What was a notable characteristic of 1920s consumer culture?
- The rise of advertising and brand loyalty. Mass production and marketing created a modern consumer economy.
- What was the purpose of the Volstead Act?
- To enforce the 18th Amendment. Provided the legal framework and penalties for enforcing Prohibition.
- Who was a famous silent film star of the 1920s?
- Charlie Chaplin. Silent film comedian known for his 'Little Tramp' character.
- Which amendment initiated Prohibition in the United States?
- The 18th Amendment. Ratified in 1919, it prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol.
- Who were the flappers of the 1920s?
- Young women known for their bold fashion and behavior. Symbolized women's liberation through short hair, short skirts, and smoking.
- What did the term 'Jazz Age' signify?
- A period marked by the popularity of jazz music. Jazz became the dominant musical form, symbolizing cultural rebellion.
- What was a significant cause of the stock market crash of 1929?
- Excessive stock market speculation. Buying on margin and overconfidence led to the bubble's collapse.
- What did the term 'bootlegging' refer to during Prohibition?
- Illegal production and distribution of alcohol. Organized crime flourished as criminals met the continued demand for alcohol.
- What was the Teapot Dome Scandal?
- A bribery scandal involving oil reserves. Interior Secretary Albert Fall illegally leased naval oil reserves to private companies.
- What was the main issue in the Sacco and Vanzetti case?
- Alleged bias against immigrants in a murder trial. Two Italian anarchists executed despite questionable evidence and anti-immigrant sentiment.
- Identify the amendment that repealed Prohibition.
- The 21st Amendment. Ratified in 1933, ending the failed experiment of Prohibition.
- What was the impact of the automobile on American life in the 1920s?
- Increased mobility and suburbanization. Cars enabled people to live farther from work and cities.
- What was the primary goal of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s?
- To promote white supremacy and nativism. Experienced massive growth, targeting Catholics, Jews, immigrants, and African Americans.
- What was one effect of the 1920s mass media expansion?
- The rise of national culture and shared experiences. Radio, movies, and magazines created shared cultural experiences nationwide.