ap us history chapter 13 notes

Lemon

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04-02-2025

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This outline covers key themes and concepts typically found in AP US History textbooks' Chapter 13, focusing on the 1920s and the onset of the Great Depression. Remember to consult your specific textbook and class materials for the most accurate and detailed information.

I. The Roaring Twenties: A Decade of Change and Contradictions

A. Economic Boom and Consumer Culture:

• Mass Production and Consumption: The assembly line and technological advancements fueled mass production, leading to lower prices and increased consumer spending. This created a new consumer culture centered around purchasing appliances, automobiles (the rise of Ford), and other goods.
• Credit and Installment Plans: Easy credit and installment plans allowed more people to buy goods they couldn't afford outright, further fueling consumer spending and economic growth. This contributed to a sense of prosperity, but also laid the groundwork for future economic instability.
• Advertising and Marketing: Sophisticated advertising techniques helped shape consumer desires and drive sales. This period witnessed the rise of modern marketing and branding.

B. Social and Cultural Transformations:

• The "New Woman": Women gained suffrage (19th Amendment), entered the workforce in larger numbers, and challenged traditional gender roles. Flappers epitomized this changing image.
• Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime: The 18th Amendment (Prohibition) led to widespread illegal alcohol production and distribution, fueling the growth of organized crime syndicates like Al Capone's.
• Harlem Renaissance: A flourishing of African American artistic and intellectual creativity centered in Harlem, New York City. This movement produced significant works of literature, music, and art.
• Cultural Conflicts: The 1920s saw clashes between traditional values and modernizing influences, including debates over immigration, religion, and social morality. The Scopes Trial exemplifies this conflict.

C. Political Developments:

• Republican Dominance: The Republican Party controlled the presidency and Congress for much of the decade, pursuing policies of limited government intervention in the economy (laissez-faire). Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover represent this era.
• Isolationism and Nativism: A strong sense of isolationism following World War I led to limited US involvement in international affairs. Nativist sentiments resulted in restrictive immigration laws.

II. The Road to the Great Depression: Underlying Economic Weaknesses

A. Overproduction and Underconsumption: Factories produced more goods than consumers could buy, leading to falling prices and declining profits.

B. Unequal Distribution of Wealth: A significant gap existed between the wealthy and the working class, limiting consumer purchasing power for a large segment of the population.

C. Agricultural Depression: Farmers faced falling crop prices and mounting debt throughout the 1920s, contributing to rural economic hardship.

D. Stock Market Speculation: Excessive speculation in the stock market led to inflated stock prices, creating a bubble that was ripe for bursting. Buying on margin (using borrowed money to buy stocks) amplified the risk.

III. The Great Depression: Collapse and Consequences

A. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 (Black Tuesday): The stock market crash triggered a widespread financial panic, leading to bank failures and a sharp contraction of the economy.

B. Bank Failures and the Contraction of Credit: Thousands of banks failed, wiping out savings and further restricting access to credit.

C. Unemployment and Poverty: Unemployment soared to unprecedented levels, causing widespread poverty and hardship. Dust Bowl conditions in the Midwest exacerbated the crisis.

D. Hoover's Response: President Hoover initially favored limited government intervention, believing the economy would recover on its own. His efforts proved insufficient to address the crisis.

IV. Key Terms and Concepts to Remember:

• Prohibition
• Flappers
• Harlem Renaissance
• Scopes Trial
• Isolationism
• Nativism
• Laissez-faire economics
• Buying on margin
• Black Tuesday
• Dust Bowl
• Hoovervilles

This outline provides a framework for understanding the key themes of Chapter 13. Remember to supplement these notes with your textbook readings, class discussions, and additional research to fully grasp the complexities of this pivotal period in American history. Good luck with your studies!