APUSH Chapter 31 Flashcards

Historical Events and Movements

• Bolshevik Revolution (1917) led to the overthrow of Russia's government, giving rise to the Communist Party in America and inciting public unrest.
• Seattle General Strike (1919) saw 35,000 shipyard workers demand better wages and hours; however, the strike was labeled a Russian plot and ended without gains for the workers.
• The "Red Scare" (1919-1920) emerged from fear of communism post-Bolshevik Revolution, prompting a nationwide movement against perceived anti-American individuals.

Notable Figures

• A. Mitchell Palmer, as Attorney General, initiated a campaign against suspected radicals and established the general intelligence division which later became the FBI.
• Sacco and Vanzetti, a shoe factory worker and a fish peddler, faced execution based on biased prosecution against their immigrant status and radical beliefs.
• William Jennings Bryan, a prominent lawyer and politician, prosecuted John Scopes during the "monkey trial," symbolizing a clash between science and religion.

Legislative Acts and Social Changes

• 1921 Emergency Quota Act limited immigration to a maximum of 3% based on the 1910 census data.
• 1924 Immigration Act further restricted immigration to 2%, using 1890 census data.
• Eighteenth Amendment (1919) prohibited the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol, enforced by the Volstead Act.

Cultural Impact

• Prohibition led to the rise of "speakeasies," secret bars for illegal alcohol, and gangsters like Al Capone who dominated organized crime.
• The Harlem Renaissance celebrated African American culture through literature and art, with figures such as Langston Hughes making significant contributions.
• Jazz music became a defining cultural element of the 1920s, reflecting the era's vibrant social scene.

Literary Contributions

• F. Scott Fitzgerald's works like The Great Gatsby captured the essence of the "Jazz Age."
• Ernest Hemingway became known for his novels, including "The Sun Also Rises," illustrating the disillusionment of post-war society.
• Sinclair Lewis and William Faulkner offered societal critiques through their narratives, addressing the American middle class and southern life respectively.

Innovations and Technology

• Henry Ford revolutionized automobile production with mass production techniques and the Model T, making cars accessible to the public.
• The Wright Brothers invented the airplane, transforming transportation.
• Guglielmo Marconi's invention of the radio changed communication and entertainment.

Societal Trends

• "Flappers" embodied the shift toward more liberated women's roles during the 1920s, demonstrating changes in social norms.
• Religious fundamentalism rejected scientific theories like Darwinism, resulting in high-profile court battles like the Scopes Trial.
• The concept of "speculation" emerged as a risky investment strategy during rapidly changing economic times, alongside buying "on margin" practices leading to financial instability.

Key Concepts

• National Debt represents the accumulation of government deficits over time.
• Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural vision pioneered a new style emphasizing geometric shapes and integration with nature.