Key Events and Figures in American History: 1920s-1940s
The Scopes Monkey Trial (1925)
Who: William Jennings Bryan vs. Clarence Darrow and John Scopes.
What: An American legal case in which John Scopes was charged with violating Tennessee’s law against teaching evolution instead of the divine creation of man.
When: 1925.
Where: Tennessee.
Why: It was a landmark debate about creationism vs. evolution in public schools.
“Return to Normalcy” (1920s)
Who: Warren G. Harding.
What: Harding’s campaign promise to return to the way of life before World War I, during the “Roaring 20s,” a decade of consumerism and prosperity.
When: 1920s.
Where: Washington D.C.
Why: It helped Harding win the presidency.
“Teapot Dome” Scandal (1921-1922)
Who: Warren G. Harding and Albert Fall.
What: A Wyoming federal oil reserve scandal where Interior Secretary Albert Fall sold drilling rights.
When: 1921-1922.
Where: U.S.
Why: It became synonymous with government corruption and was one of the greatest political scandals of its time.
Nine Powers Treaty (1922)
Who: Warren G. Harding.
What: A treaty that confirmed the Open Door Policy in China, with the U.S. helping China to remove European influence.
When: 1922.
Where: Washington D.C. and China.
Why: The Open Door Policy allowed nations to access more resources and trade with China.
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
Who: Calvin Coolidge.
What: A pact renouncing war as a means of settling disputes, signed by the US, UK, France, Germany, and Japan.
When: 1928.
Where: France.
Why: It aimed to prevent future wars but proved ineffective in resolving conflicts.
Dawes Plan (1924)
Who: Charles Dawes.
What: A plan to revive the German economy, where the US loaned Germany money to pay reparations to England and France, who could then repay their loans to the U.S.
When: 1924.
Where: US and Germany.
Why: It marked a break from isolationism as the US tried to help Germany, though it ultimately hurt the US economy.
“Black Tuesday” (October 29, 1929)
Who: Herbert Hoover and investors.
What: The day the price of stocks completely collapsed, causing a “wave of fear.” Creditors demanded repayment from sellers who had borrowed money, forcing them to sell stocks quickly at low prices.
When: October 29, 1929.
Where: New York.
Why: Black Tuesday was a major catalyst of the Great Depression.
Herbert Hoover’s Presidency (1929-1933)
Who: President of the US.
What: He initiated a 50% reduction of tariffs to stimulate the economy.
When: 1929-1933.
Where: Washington D.C.
Why: Americans blamed him for the Great Depression, leading to the creation of Hoovervilles and Hoover blankets.
“Trickle-Down Economics” (1929-1933)
Who: Herbert Hoover.
What: A conservative economic policy that favored the wealthy, based on the belief that giving money to the rich would increase business activity and benefit the middle class.
When: 1929-1933.
Where: US.
Why: It was largely ineffective.
Hawley-Smoot Tariff (1930)
Who: President Hoover and the American Congress.
What: A high US tax on imported goods meant to help American workers.
When: 1930.
Where: US, impacting France, England, etc.
Why: The US was struggling to sell its products abroad and faced high unemployment.
Bonus Army (1932)
Who: WWI veterans.
What: Veterans seeking early payments of promised retirement bonuses.
When: 1932.
Where: Washington D.C.
Why: Congress proposed a bill to help the veterans, which contributed to Roosevelt’s election.
Douglas MacArthur (1942)
Who: Army General of WWI.
What: Fought the Japanese in the Pacific; famously said, “I shall return,” and commanded the Southwest Pacific.
When: 1942.
Where: Philippines.
Why: He played a key role in defeating the Japanese forces.
Executive Order 9066 (1942)
Who: Franklin D. Roosevelt.
What: An order that sent 110,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps, dividing them into Nisei and Issei groups.
When: 1942.
Where: US.
Why: It reflected the suppression of Japanese Americans during wartime.
Doolittle Raid (April 18, 1942)
Who: James Doolittle.
What: An American surprise attack on Japan, dropping bombs from airplanes.
When: April 18, 1942.
Where: Tokyo.
Why: It demonstrated that Japan was vulnerable to American air attacks.
Tuskegee Airmen (1942)
Who: African American pilots.
What: Black pilot officers of the 332nd Fighter Group in WWII, known for their exceptional aviation skills.
When: 1942.
Where: Alabama.
Why: They were the first African American military aviators.
Rosie the Riveter (1942)
Who: Cultural icon.
What: A campaign to encourage women to take men’s jobs during WWII, after 12 million men died.
When: 1942.
Where: US.
Why: It symbolized the second wave of American feminism.
Executive Order 8802 (1942)
Who: President Roosevelt.
What: An order to prohibit social discrimination.
When: 1942.
Where: Washington D.C.
Why: It was the first federal action to promote equal opportunity and prohibit employment discrimination in the US.