Was the 1920s a decade of change, or more of the same, or both?

Thesis: In American History, the 1920s was an era of prosperity and change in which businesses and mass culture dominated the life of the American citizen. Although, the twenties started out with the election of Harding and his Return to Normalcy it is evident that the post war boom among other things left America completely changed in all aspects whether it be domestic or foreign policy. Remarkable popularity of motion picture, national pastime for America, community of diverse, ethnically different people united by film Film also immensely helped commerce and trade. Webb-pomerene act of 1918 allowed for the global expansion of Hollywood film. Tight connection between celebrity and expansion of mass culture. Hollywood redefined American cultural values in the twenties Still the expanded consumerism was not equally shared amongst Americans Harding return to normalcy but American had been changed after the war. Increase in the efficiency of production, steady climb in wages and decrease in work week and a boom in consumer good industries. Second industrial revolution in which electricity, not steam powered businesses which made things crazy efficient Shift in business, with emphasis on diversifying industry National War Labor Board (made during great war) was dismantled to hurt unions Employers tried to increase conditions of workers to prevent unionization known as welfare capitalism. Severe drop in union membership Unequal distribution of wealth sets stage for Depression Auto industry skyrocketed due to Fords efficiency Installment buying laying grounds for consumer culture More people in urban areas than rural areas Close relationship between business and federal government, pro big business as opposed to union and labor reforms made during the Great War Government was lax in regulation trusts and supreme court often sided with business as opposed to previous era of anti trust laws. During the 1920s American started investing more abroad than people were investing in the US Great war era was golden age for farmers because of increased war time demand, but in the twenties they had surplus crops and lagged behind the rest of the US Very few things remained the same like, southern farmers far out of reach from technology still labored as sharecroppers United mine workers, perhaps strongest AFL union was drastically reduced due to lack of demand Radio, previously only of interest to the military and few americans, skyrocketed contributing to the concept of mass culture and the American identity. Advertising sky rocketed

 Records transformed American pop culture before being taking over by radio Prohibition took place in 1920 Landmark reform for women, Sheppard Towner act was a federally funded healthcare program for child care centers Increase Mexican immigration, double than the previous decade Great migration of African americans to cities Ku klux klan Groups (like the writers Fugitives) wanted to return to old morals and ideals but it is not going to happen Reform crusades (the progressive era) was a distant memory

2. To what degree was the New Deal a success or failure? Thesis: The New Deal, a series of programs and legislations designed to promote relief and recovery, was created by Franklin Roosevelt in order to combat the devastating effects of the Great Depression, the worst economic crisis in US history. Although the scope of the New Deal was limited both in terms of its legislation as well as outside opposition, it was successful to a certain degree because it profoundly changed many aspects of American life by radically increasing the role of the federal government in American Lives. New deal was to promote relief, recovery and reform under franklin Roosevelt 1935 National labor relations act legally assured the right to union membership, first time in US history Organized labor provided support for many social welfare initiatives of New Deal Federal relief, SS, regulating minimum wage and hours, improve nations housing By late 1930s conservative slowed reform and limited scope for New Deal Emergency Banking Act ended bank crisis. It authorized healthy banks to reopen and granted federal authority over banks Civilian conservation corps provide jobs to young people in restoration Federal Emergency relief administration (FERA) provided relief funds to states Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) parity pricing, agricultural planning and price setting had some bad side effects like landlords not giving tenants payments Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) made dams and powerplants to provide cheap electricity PWA constructed building and roads FHA and Steagall act (created FDIC) Right wing supreme court opposed first new deal and nullified a few things NRA (national recovery administration) was ruled out in Schecter vs USA AAA was outlawed in Butler vs US Social security act passed giving pension and unemployment (but not to blacks) Emergency relief appropriation act NLRA National Labor Relations Act Huge surge in union participation, labor union gained permanent place among mass production industry Fair labor standard act federal minimum wage National Housing Act New Deal frequently left out minorities like Mexicans and African americans New deal had big impact on south, transition from sharecropping to modern technology Provided rural southerners with electricity Resettlement administration helped relocate people after Dust Bowl Large scale water project to promote irrigation to small farms IRA (indian reorganization act) Women temporarily saw an increase in the field of social work In the end, it didnt end the economic crisis

4. How had the movement for Civil Rights changed in terms of vision, strategy, tactics from 1955-1975? Thesis: The struggle for Civil Rights of African Americans is perhaps the most important historical event in the twentieth century that dominated both social and political life. In its early stages, around the mid 1950s, emphasis was placed on nonviolent protest to necessitate change in legislation. However, as time progressed, the aim of the Civil Rights movement change in terms of vision and strategy by preferring more direct action and a unique black culture separate from those of white Americans. 1955 Rosa Parks is arrested MLK Jr gave a speech to organize a bus boycott saying that his key principles were nonviolence, Christian Love and unity MIA (Montgomery Improvement Association) 381 day boycott which ended in supreme court ruling outlawing segregation on interstate buses caused bus system to lose 2/3 of revenue Another strategy was to use the federal courts to attack segregation Naacp (membership increased during the war) was using legal work and using constitutional language to make forceful arguments 1954 Thurgood Marshall gets Plessy Vs Ferguson upturned (Brown) King was deeply influence by Ghandi and preferred non violent protests 1960, continuing theme of nonviolent protest, diner sit ins begin Greensboro organized boycott targeting stores (direct action protest) Local government relented and diners were open to everyone Reverend Lawson, a speaker on nonviolent resistance, called for Christian Idealism and Ghandi principles Desegregation in Atlanta due partly because of sit ins in department stores 1960, slight shift occurs, SNCC established organizational structure with emphasis on direct confrontation, mass action and civil disobedience Afterward freedom rides begin, still peaceful resistance Around 1960-62 activists are convinced that nonviolence alone isnt enough New strategy in Birmingham (63), fill jail cells and cripple economy Around this time new member to the movement who were unemployed and poor wanted results not civil disobedience 1964 civil rights act is passed Late 1964 SNCC takes a radical move toward civil rights They took volunteers, especially white, to aid in voter registration and to teach in freedom schools Towards later years, younger activists were drawn toward militant rhetoric like that of Malcolm X who called for racial solidarity and armed self defense. Around 1965 alienated north blacks turned to militant rhetoric known as black power Black panthers, paramilitary group focused on blacks to take control of own communities

3. What were the primary causes of the Cold War? Thesis: In World History, the Cold War was a time period of constant military and political tension between the Worlds two super powers, the US and soviet union. Although its roots can be found in the duration of World War 1, the primary causes of the Cold war were differences between the soviet union and the US in terms of post war foreign policy. o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o As a result of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia (followed by its withdrawal from World War I), Soviet Russia found itself isolated in international diplomacy Leader Vladimir Lenin stated that the Soviet Union was surrounded by a "hostile capitalist encirclement", and he viewed diplomacy as a weapon to keep Soviet enemies divided Subsequent leader Joseph Stalin, who viewed the Soviet Union as a "socialist island" American refusal to recognize the Soviet Union until 1933 Continuing disagreement about the future of Germany Soviets did not want unification but Truman wanted a place for trade and exports He also believed a unified Germany would halt further soviet expansion US, Britain and France merged their zones of Germany while Stalin refused Soviets spurned aid from IMF and World Bank because they saw it as a capitalist enterprise to turn the soviet union into an economic colony Civil war in Greece and turkey prompts Truman to pump money into country to support capitalism. Truman doctrine declares that it will protect and support free people from outside pressure. Could be considered start of cold war Marshall plan drove a deeper wedge between US and soviet union Stalin was invited but refused knowing what Truman wanted Berlin Blockade- soviets blocked berlin from allies in order to control the entire city, seriously escalated tensions The three combined zones of Germany controlled by allies vs communist held zone Germany (berlin blockade is removed) Berlin Crisis leads to creation of NATO which deepens divisions between east and west Europe Soviets create warsaw pact with satellites. Us started increasing atomic bond production to back Truman doctrine, soviets tested first a bomb in 49. Both increased nuclear armed missiles Cold war was under way