Questions and Answers
What is communism?
Who were Sacco and Vanzetti?
Two Italian-born American laborers and anarchists who were tried, convicted, and executed on August 3, 1927, in Massachusetts for an armed robbery they are believed to have not committed.
Who was Calvin Coolidge?
The 30th President of the United States who succeeded as President after Harding died in 1923.
What was the significance of John L. Lewis?
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What did Warren G. Harding advocate for after World War I?
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The Fordney-McCumber Tariff aimed to raise the rates on imported goods.
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What is isolationism?
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What does the quota system do?
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What was the Teapot Dome scandal?
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What is an installment plan?
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How did the Red Scare, the Sacco and Vanzetti case, and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan reflect concerns held by many Americans?
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What was the primary goal of the immigration quota system established in 1921?
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What did Harding want to do to return America to normalcy?
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Summarize the Teapot Dome scandal.
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How did changes in technology in the 1920s influence American life?
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What evidence suggests that the prosperity of the 1920s was not a firm foundation?
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Study Notes
Key Terms and Definitions
- Communism: A socialist system that eliminates private ownership.
- Sacco and Vanzetti: Italian-American laborers and anarchists executed in 1927 despite potential innocence regarding an armed robbery.
- Calvin Coolidge: Served as the 30th President of the U.S. (1923-1933) after assuming office from Harding.
- John L. Lewis: Influential labor leader who founded the first significant unskilled labor union; pivotal during sit-down strikes.
- Warren G. Harding: U.S. President advocating a return to pre-war normalcy post-WWI.
- Fordney-McCumber Tariff: Increased tariffs on imports to boost domestic manufacturing, but negatively impacted foreign trade and debt repayments.
- Isolationism: Policy emphasizing non-involvement in international political and economic affairs.
- Quota System: Legislation limiting the number of immigrants from specific countries.
- Teapot Dome Scandal: A scandal involving secret leasing of U.S. Navy oil reserves to private companies in 1921, leading to bribery charges.
- Installment Plan: A financial arrangement that allows customers to pay over time through scheduled payments.
Social and Political Context
- Red Scare: A period marked by fear of communism that led to national anxiety and increased radicalism, evident in cases like Sacco and Vanzetti.
- Immigration Quota System (1921): Aimed to restrict immigration, particularly from Europe, in response to increased numbers during WWI.
- Harding's Normalcy: A political strategy to stabilize the nation post-WWI; described as a regrettable misnomer, advocating for a return to pre-war conditions.
Scandals and Economic Factors
- Teapot Dome Scandal Overview: Involved Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall leasing federal oil reserves illegally; resulted in his conviction and imprisonment.
- Technological Changes in the 1920s: Rapid development and consumerism marked the decade, with increased purchases of radios, small appliances, and other household items.
- Flawed Prosperity: Economic boom characterized by spending beyond means; reliance on credit masked the underlying economic instability of the decade.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Chapter 20 of American History. This review covers key terms and figures, including communism and pivotal events like the Sacco and Vanzetti case. Perfect for students preparing for exams!
