Context on america

• Social and economic problems arose in the USA after World War I
• High levels of production during the war, laid off workers after the war
• Prices and unemployment rose between 1914 and 1920
• Workers demanded higher wages, but there was high unemployment
• Fears of radicalism and unrest throughout 1919
• The rise of Communism was seen as a threat by workers, businesses and the government
• Race riots occurred in the USA, the worst being the Chicago race riot of 1919
• Mary McLeod Bethune, a black educator, faced attacks from the white community
• The USA wanted to return to isolationism after the war
• President Woodrow Wilson wanted the USA to take a leading role in world affairs after the war
• Wilson had drawn up the Fourteen Points which became the basis for the newly created League of Nations
• In 1919 the mood in the USA was against the League and opposing Wilson
• Congress refused to support Wilson and rejected the League in 1919 and 1920
• The new Republican President Harding called for a return to 'normalcy'
• The USA emerged from World War I as the world's leading economy
• The war had helped the USA's industry and agriculture to prosper
• The USA had replaced Germany as the world's leading producer of fertilisers, dyes and other chemicals
• The war had led to advances in technology and mechanisation in the USA
• There were problems of unemployment after the war when industry seemed to be doing well
• 1919 was a year of crisis in the USA
• America went back to isolationism after the war
• The cartoon comments on President Wilson's failure to get America to join the League of Nations
• Melting Pot


  A term describing the historical diversity of immigration patterns in the United States, resulting in a culturally rich and diverse society With 103 nationalities.
• WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)


  A sociological term referring to a specific ethnic and cultural group in the US, characterized by Caucasian origin, middle-class background, and cultural dominance
• Colonization and its Impact


  The colonization of the Americas had a devastating impact on Native American tribes, causing conflict, displacement, disease, and cultural disruption
• Native American Resistance


  Native American communities resisted colonization through military victories, alliances, guerrilla warfare, cultural preservation, land protection, and spiritual resistance
• African American Life in the 1920s


  A complex time for African Americans, marked by cultural achievements, economic struggles, and ongoing racial violence and discrimination
• Jim Crow Laws: Everyday Life

  A clear example of how Jim Crow laws affected African American daily life, hindering access to education, employment, public facilities, and voting rights, and often incorporating violence and intimidation
• Problems with Segregation


  Segregation imposed economic inequalities, limited access to education and healthcare, and had a significant psychological impact, often accompanied by intimidation and violence
• Life as an African American


  Many worked as farmers and labourers and were the poorest in society
• Southern and Eastern Europeans


  Mainly from Russia, Italy, Poland, hungary that arrived in lates 19th century. Mostly catholic or Jewish that worked in industry up north and were often poor
• Hispanic 


  From central and southern America that worked as cowboys in the west. Spanish speakers
• Asian Americans


  On the west coast that built railroads
• The constitution

  Written in 1787, it is a set of rules about how the country must be run and which powers each part of government has. Both the federal and state governments must follow the rules set out by the constitution. It can be changed (an amendment) but this is very difficult as state governments and Congress must agree in large numbers. Since 1787 there have been only 27 changes.
• House of Representatives


  435 voting members, 2-year term, all seats up for election every even-numbered year
• Senate


  100 members, 2 Senators per state, 6-year term except for class 1 Senators
• Congress' Main Roles


  Lawmaking, Approving Presidential Appointments, Declaring War, Raising Revenue, Investigations & Oversight, Advice & Consent
• Presidential Roles and Responsibilities

  Chief Executive, Commander-in-Chief, Head of State, Legislative Leader, Supreme Court Appointment, Crisis Management, Diplomacy, Cabinet Leadership, Communications
• Supreme Court Role


  Interpretation of Laws, Judicial Review, Appeals, Original Jurisdiction
• Supreme Court Members


  9 Justices, including 1 Chief Justice, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate