Student Question
What are some significant US events from the 1920s?
Quick answer:
The 1920s in the US were marked by significant events such as the stock market crash of 1929, initiating the Great Depression. Technological advancements included the first radio broadcast and talking movies, and John Baird's creation of television. The decade also saw cultural shifts with events like the Scopes Trial, highlighting the evolution vs. creationism debate. Other important events included Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, the Sacco and Vanzetti trial, and the Washington Naval Treaties.
By far the most important event in the US that happened in the 1920s was the stock market crash of October 1929. Although the crash was not the true cause of the Great Depression, it is generally seen as the start of the Depression.
Some other things that happened in the 1920s and were very important were:
- The first radio broadcast. This was part of the change to a society that had more entertainments options and was centered around having fun. You could also put the first talking movie (1927) in with this.
- The Sacco and Vanzetti trial (1921) and execution (1927). These showed the fear of immigrants and of political radicalism that was part of this decade. You could also include the Immigration Act of 1924 here.
- The Washington Naval Treaties (1922). These were meant to bring about and maintain world peace. They were important parts of American isolation. ...
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- You could put the Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) here too.
- Scopes Trial. This showed the tensions between traditional ways and the new attitudes of the 1920s.
What were the major events of the 1920s?
One of the most widely publicized events of the 1920s was the Loeb and Leopold murder and the subsequent trial in which they were defended by Clarence Darrow. Leopold later wrote a book about the whole subject. I believe the title is99 Years to Life. I also believe a movie was made about the case starring Orson Welles as Darrow, but I can't think of the title.
Another widely publicized event was the so-called Scopes Monkey Trial in which a high school teacher was on trial for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution. Clarence Darrow acted as an attorney for the defense and the famous William Jennings Bryan participated in the prosecution. What made the case so notorious was that it aired the arguments for evolution versus creationism.
Clarence Darrow described these trials in his autobiography.
A great movie titled Inherit the Windwas made about the Scopes trial. It stars two famous actors, Spencer Tracy and Frederic March, and is readily available on DVD.
There were so many things that happened in the 1920s that I will have to be selective. Let me name three important events.
First, in 1929 October 29th, the stock market crashed. It was called black Tuesday. This was the beginning of the great depression. This point is very applicable to us today in view of our economy.
Second, from an entertainment and technology point of view, John Baird creates the first television and in 1928 he creates a color television. As you can imagine, this will be an important development for society.
Third, Charles Lindbergh is the first person to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. He went from New York to Paris. This took place in 1927. At creates a big push forward in aviation.