The Roaring Twenties: 1920s America

• The 1920s, known as the Roaring Twenties, was a post-World War I era marked by isolationism, economic prosperity, and widespread social and cultural change.

Cultural Shifts and Social Changes

• Flappers were modern young women who defied traditional norms through radical fashion and behavior.
• The Harlem Renaissance was an artistic and cultural awakening that celebrated African-American culture through literature, art, and music.
• Unease toward immigrants was prevalent among Americans.

Prohibition Era

• Prohibition was a ban on the sale of alcohol.
• The 18th Amendment outlawed alcohol, leading to its prohibition.
• Speakeasies were secret bars where alcohol was illegally sold.
• Bootleggers illegally produced, smuggled, and sold alcohol during Prohibition.
• The 21st Amendment later legalized alcohol, repealing prohibition.

Political Events and Figures

• Warren G. Harding's presidency was marked by the "Return to Normalcy" campaign and scandals, including the Teapot Dome scandal.
• The Teapot Dome scandal centered around oil-rich lands.
• Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover served as presidents during the 1920s.
• The Palmer Raids primarily targeted suspected communists and anarchists.

Immigration and Migration

• The Immigration Act of 1924 established national origin quotas.
• The Emergency Quota System of 1921 was a law passed to limit immigration.
• The Great Migration was the movement of African Americans from the South to Northern cities such as Chicago, New York, and Detroit, moving to the North to escape discrimination, segregation, and Jim Crow laws.
• West Virginia had the largest percentage increase in its African-American population.
• Louisiana saw an 11% decrease in its African-American population between 1890 and 1920.

The Red Scare

• The Red Scare was a period of fear of a potential communist takeover, leading to arrests of suspected communist government leaders.
• Anarchists and immigrants were often associated with the Red Scare.
• People associated with the Red Scare were called "Reds."

Economic Changes

• Buying on margin involved borrowing money from the bank to invest in the stock market.
• The economy of the 1920s can be described as a consumer economy, where citizens purchased goods to drive the economy.
• Installment buying was buying on credit with payments to a company.
• Advertising became a popular technique on billboards and the radio to convince someone to buy a product.

Innovation and Communication

• Labor-saving devices such as electricity helped improve daily lives.
• Henry Ford was known for the assembly line.
• Radio helped to spread new music and information.
• Radio and telephone improved communication.
• The automobile changed American culture in significant ways.

Rights and Justice

• The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, stemming from a movement that began long before the 1920s.
• Sacco and Vanzetti were arrested for murder and robbery.

Harlem Renaissance Figures

• Langston Hughes was an author of jazz poetry, with his most famous work being the poem "Harlem".

Additional key points

• Americans were being bothered by law enforcement during the Red Scare
• African Americans shared their experiences through dancing, music, paintings, theater, and poetry during the Harlem Renaissance.