The Roaring Twenties 1920–1929

Postwar U.S. economy prospers, thanks to pro-business administrations and boom in automobile industry
Intolerance thrives in both society and big business as African Americans and immigrants are pushed to margins of society
Harding, Coolidge lead United States toward isolationism in reaction to World War I
Freewheeling culture of Jazz Age conflicts with previous generations’ notions of right and wrong
Severe economic depression brings prosperity to screeching halt in 1929


1920		In reaction to Russian Revolution, Palmer Raids arrest or deport thousands of U.S. residents on suspicion of Communist affiliations

		First commercial radio broadcast airs

		Warren G. Harding elected 29th president, promising “return to normalcy”

		19th Amendment grants women’s suffrage

1921		Congress sets quotas on immigration

		Federal Highway Act allots aid for construction and maintenance of state roads

1922		Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union or USSR) established with Vladimir I. Lenin as leader

1923		Harding dies; Vice President Calvin Coolidge becomes 30th president

1924		Lenin dies; Joseph Stalin becomes leader of USSR

		Teapot Dome scandal exposes massive corruption in Harding administration

		Dawes Plan eases war reparations against Germany

		National Origins Act limits immigrants from Asia, Eastern and Southern Europe

		Coolidge elected president

1925		Scopes Monkey Trial popularizes debate over teaching evolution in schools

		F. Scott Fitzgerald publishes novel The Great Gatsby

1926		More than 60 nations sign Kellogg-Briand Pact condemning war in any form

		Ernest Hemingway publishes novel The Sun Also Rises

1927		Charles Lindbergh completes world’s first solo flight across Atlantic

		Anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti executed for murder; controversial verdict leads to charges that executions were politically motivated and unjustified

		Film The Jazz Singer popularizes “talkies” and signals end of silent era

		Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs for New York Yankees

1928		Herbert Hoover elected 31st president

1929		Young Plan further reduces Germany’s war reparations

		William Faulkner publishes novel The Sound and the Fury

		Stock market crash (“Black Thursday” on October 24, “Black Tuesday” on October 29) launches Great Depression

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