1. law, govt and politics
2. legal issues
3. civil rights

The Roaring 20s
Practice Questions
1. After World War I, why did American farmers fail to share in the general economic growth
of the United States?
1. Many immigrants were settling in the west and competing with the farmers.
2. The Federal Government reduced the number of acres on which farmers could grow
subsidized crops.
3. Farmers could not produce enough to keep up with demand.
4. Overproduction and competition caused falling prices.
2. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s was a period when African Americans
1.
2.
3.
4.
left the United States in large numbers to settle in Nigeria
created noteworthy works of art and literature
migrated to the West in search of land and jobs
used civil disobedience to fight segregation in the Armed Forces
3. Public disregard for Prohibition and for laws prohibiting gambling indicates that
1.
2.
3.
4.
the American film industry has great influence on public opinion
the system of checks and balances does not work
attempts to legislate public morality may be met with strong resistance
American citizens have little, if any, respect for laws
4. United States participation in the Washington Conference (1921), in the Kellogg-Briand Pact
(1928), and in the SALT talks of the 1970’s is evidence that the United States
1.
2.
3.
4.
has followed a free trade policy for most of the 20th century
relies on military alliances for defense against aggression
has been willing to cooperate with other nations to reduce world tensions
believes that cultural exchange programs are a way to promote international
understanding
5. The 1920’s are sometimes called the "Roaring Twenties" because
1.
2.
3.
4.
foreign trade prospered after World War I
the United States assumed a leadership role in world affairs
political reforms made government more democratic
widespread social and economic change occurred
6. Which condition increased the negative effects of the Great Depression?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Factories had to decrease production because of low demand.
Low levels of unemployment created labor shortages.
The demand for imported products increased.
The Federal Government raised taxes repeatedly.
7. The Washington Naval Conference of 1921-22 and the SALT talks of the 1970’s between the
United States and the Soviet Union both reflect the belief that
1.
2.
3.
4.
civil wars within nations can create international hostilities
escalating military buildups are one of the causes of war
cultural exchange programs can reduce world tensions
rivalry between nations over the control of natural resources is the major cause of
conflict
8. Which generalization most accurately describes the literary works of Langston Hughes,
Sinclair Lewis, and John Steinbeck?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Politics and art seldom mix well.
The best literature concerns the lives of the wealthy.
Literature often reflects the times in which it is created.
Traditional American themes are the most popular.
9. What was one similarity between the Red Scare following World War I and the Cold War
following World War II?
1. Fear of communism led to the suppression of the civil liberties of some Americans.
2. Large numbers of Russian revolutionaries settled in the United States.
3. Congressional investigations proved that the Federal Government was heavily
infiltrated by Communist spies.
4. Renewed fighting between wartime enemies was a constant threat.
10. Which events best support the image of the 1920’s as a decade of nativist sentiment?
1.
2.
3.
4.
the passage of the National Origins Act and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan
the Scopes trial and the passage of women’s suffrage
the Washington Naval Conference and the Kellogg-Briand Pact
the growth of the auto industry and the Teapot Dome Affair
11. In the United States, the decade of the 1920’s was characterized by
1.
2.
3.
4.
a willingness to encourage immigration to the United States
increased consumer borrowing and spending
the active involvement of the United States in European affairs
major reforms in national labor legislation
12. In the 1920’s, the depressed situation of United States agriculture was chiefly caused by
1.
2.
3.
4.
overregulation by government
mechanization and overproduction
inefficient production techniques
stock-market speculation
13. In the 1920’s, the Immigration Act of 1924 and the Sacco-Vanzetti trial were typical of the
1.
2.
3.
4.
rejection of traditional customs and beliefs
acceptance of cultural differences
increase in nativism and intolerance
support of humanitarian causes
14. The economic boom and the financial speculation of the 1920’s were caused in part by
1.
2.
3.
4.
installment buying and an unregulated stock market
the expansion of civil rights to women and minorities
the mobilization of the economy for war
increased government restrictions on big business
Speaker A:"To preserve our American culture, people whose national origins do not match the
origins of our nation’s founders must be refused admission."
Speaker B:". . . let us admit only the best educated from every racial and ethnic group . . ."
Speaker C:". . . there is an appalling danger to the American wage earner from the flood of low,
unskilled, ignorant, foreign workers who have poured into the country . . ."
Speaker D:"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free . . ."
15. In the early 20th century, most labor unions supported the view of
1.
2.
3.
4.
Speaker A
Speaker B
Speaker C
Speaker D
16. After World War I, which factor was the major cause of the migration of many African
Americans to the North?
1.
2.
3.
4.
the start of the Harlem Renaissance
increased job opportunities in Northern cities
laws passed in Northern States to end racial discrimination
Federal Government job-training programs
17. Which feature of the immigration laws of the 1920’s was different from prior laws?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Quotas were set to limit immigration from many countries
Preference was granted to Chinese immigrants
Refugees from war-torn Europe were encouraged to enter the United States.
Efforts were made to stop illegal immigration from Latin America.
18. Which combination of factors contributed most to the start of the Great Depression of the
1930’s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
immigration restrictions and a lack of skilled workers
high taxes and overspending on social welfare programs
United States war debts and the declining value of the dollar
overproduction and the excessive use of credit
19. Which conclusion can be drawn from the occurrence of the Red Scare and the decision of
the Supreme Court in Schenck v. United States?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Immigrants to the United States are consistently denied equal protection under the law.
A person’s best protection from persecution rests with the Supreme Court.
Civil rights are sometimes compromised by the public’s fear of radical political groups
Violent protests in the United States are usually met with a violent response from the
government.
How the Other Half Lives, Jacob Riis (1890) The Jungle, Upton Sinclair (1906) The Grapes of Wrath,
John Steinbeck (1939) Unsafe at Any Speed, Ralph Nader (1965)
20. What has been the impact of these authors and their books on American society?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Most Americans have developed a preference for escapist and romantic literature.
Most American authors have adopted a conservative viewpoint
American business has corrected poor conditions quickly.
These works have had significant influence on social, political, and economic reforms.
21. A result of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s was the
1.
2.
3.
4.
restoration of buildings and the infrastructure in New York City
increased recognition of African-American writers and musicians
end of racial segregation laws in New York State
appointment of several African Americans as presidential advisors
22. The 1925 trial of John Scopes reflects the conflict between
1.
2.
3.
4.
science and religion
isolation and international involvement
traditional roles and new roles for women
Prohibition and organized crime
23. “The business of America is business.” — President Calvin Coolidge. By making this
statement, President Coolidge was expressing his support for
1.
2.
3.
4.
higher taxes on corporations
banking regulations
democratic socialism
the free-enterprise system
24. Which action is an example of nativism in the 1920s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
widespread violation of Prohibition laws
efforts to improve living conditions for Native American Indians
passage of laws restricting immigration
provision of credit to farmers
25. Which economic practice became significantly more widespread during the 1920s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
governmental regulation of business
stock market speculation
dependence on government welfare programs
reduction of tariff rates
“I, Too, Sing America”
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll sit at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.
Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—
I, too, am America.
— Langston Hughes, 1926
26. This poem was a literary contribution from the
1.
2.
3.
4.
abolitionist movement
Progressive Era
Prohibition movement
Harlem Renaissance
27. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s can best be described as
1.
2.
3.
4.
an organization created to help promote African-American businesses
a movement that sought to draw people back to the inner cities
a relief program to provide jobs for minority workers
a period of great achievement by African- American writers, artists, and performers
28. What was a major reason American farmers failed to obtain a fair share of the economic
prosperity of the 1920s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Crops failed due to poor weather conditions
The government controlled food prices
Farm crops were overproduced
Banks refused to lend money to farmers
“I, Too, Sing America”
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll sit at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.
Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—
I, too, am America.
— Langston Hughes, 1926
29. The main purpose of this poem was to
1.
2.
3.
4.
end the institution of slavery
demonstrate self-respect by African Americans
maintain separation of the races
promote the back-to-Africa movement
30. The treaties signed at the Washington Conference (1921–1922) and the Kellogg-Briand Pact
(1928) were efforts to
1.
2.
3.
4.
limit the spread of military dictatorships
maintain peace through international agreements
form new military alliances after World War I
bring democratic government to eastern Europe
31. Which event represents an expression of nativism during the 1920s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
trial of John Scopes for teaching evolution
adoption of a quota system to limit immigration
Charles Lindbergh’s solo transatlantic flight
rise in popularity of spectator sports
32. What was a major result of Prohibition in the United States during the 1920s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
restriction of immigration
growth of communism
destruction of family values
increase in organized crime
One Way Ticket
I am fed up
With Jim Crow laws,
People who are cruel
And afraid,
Who lynch and run,
Who are scared of me
And me of them.
I pick up my life
And take it away
On a one-way ticket
Gone Up North
Gone Out West
Gone!
— Langston Hughes, 1926
33. The author states that he has “Gone” because
1.
2.
3.
4.
jobs were available in northern industries
there was no racial prejudice in the West
farmland was more available in the North
racial discrimination drove him away
34. Which statement most accurately describes conditions of American farmers during the
economic boom of the mid-1920s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Shortages of fertile land and farm equipment lowered farm income
Overproduction helped keep farmers from participating in the prosperity of the times
Subsidies and other government programs dramatically increased farmers’ incomes
Higher prices for farm products resulted in a higher standard of living for farmers
35. Which economic trend of the 1920s helped cause the Great Depression?
1.
2.
3.
4.
rising cost of mass-produced goods
increasing income tax rates
falling tariff rates
widening income gap between the rich and the poor
36. The works of Duke Ellington and Langston Hughes reflected the
1.
2.
3.
4.
expanding role of women in the 1920s
achievements of the Harlem Renaissance
architectural innovations of the 1930s
influence of southern European immigrant groups
37. The economic boom of the 1920s was primarily caused by the
1.
2.
3.
4.
new economic policies of the League of Nations
development of new consumer goods industries
advent of advertising on radio
elimination of barriers to international trade
38. During most of the 1920s, which group experienced the most severe economic problems?
1.
2.
3.
4.
owners of small family farms
workers in the automobile industry
bankers in urban centers
entertainers in the field of radio
39. During the 1920s, controversies concerning the Scopes trial, national Prohibition, and the
behavior of “flappers” were all signs of disagreement over
1.
2.
3.
4.
the return to normalcy
traditional values and changing lifestyles
causes of the Great Depression
the benefits of new technology
40. A major goal of the immigration acts of the 1920s was to
1.
2.
3.
4.
allow unlimited immigration from Southeast Asia
assure equal numbers of immigrants from all nations
favor wealthy and well-educated immigrants
use quotas to limit immigration from southern and eastern Europe
41. Which event of the 1920s symbolized a conflict over cultural values?
1.
2.
3.
4.
election of Herbert Hoover
transatlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh
Scopes trial
stock market crash
42. The data in the chart support the idea that the immigration laws of 1921 and 1924 were
primarily designed to
1.
2.
3.
4.
stop illegal entry into the country
admit skilled workers
encourage immigration from southern Europe
reduce immigration from specific regions
43. The United States adopted the
immigration policies shown in the chart
mainly because of
1. pressures from nativists and
labor unions
2. hardships caused by the Great
Depression
3. prejudices generated during
World War II
4. threats from other nations to stop migration to the United States
44. Which group of Americans generally failed to experience the economic prosperity of the
1920s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
farmers
retailers
consumers
manufacturers
45. Which pair of events illustrates an accurate cause-and-effect relationship?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sacco and Vanzetti trial ---> ratification of the woman suffrage amendment
rebirth of the KKK ---> formation of the Populist Party
Red Scare ---> demand for limits on immigration
high food prices ---> start of the Great Depression
46. Which situation helped cause the stock market crash of 1929?
1.
2.
3.
4.
excessive speculation and buying on margin
unwillingness of people to invest in new industries
increased government spending
too much government regulation of business
47. Which pair of circumstances represents an accurate cause-and-effect relationship?
1. more jobs in factories ---> migration of African Americans from the South to northern
cities
2. establishment of Jim Crow laws ---> beginning of Reconstruction
3. Dred Scott decision ---> passage of the Fugitive Slave Law
4. closing of the frontier ---> completion of the transcontinental railroad
48. Much of the economic growth of the 1920s was based on
1.
2.
3.
4.
increased trade with other nations
the production of new consumer goods
rising prices of agricultural products
the rapid development of the West
49. Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington are noted for their contributions to the cultural
movement of the 1920s known as the
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gospel of Wealth
Lost Generation
Harlem Renaissance
Gilded Age
50. The failure of national Prohibition led to a public awareness that
1.
2.
3.
4.
crime rates decline when the sale of alcoholic beverages is banned
economic prosperity encourages social conformity
unpopular laws are difficult to enforce
geographic conditions affect law enforcement
“Public Ignores Prohibition
Restrictions”
“Evolution and Creation Debated in
Scopes Trial”
“Women Bring Change to the
Industrial Workforce”
51. What do headlines such as these from the 1920s illustrate?
1.
2.
3.
4.
conflict between traditional and modern values
trend toward mass consumption of consumer goods
hostility of certain groups toward ethnic minorities
debate over the role of government in the economy
52. What common problem did farmers of the 1890s and farmers of the 1920s face?
1.
2.
3.
4.
government overregulation of farming
overproduction compared to consumer demand
failure to plant enough crops to meet local needs
low tariffs on crops
Teapot Dome Scandal
Harlem Renaissance
Scopes trial
53. During which decade did these events occur?
1.
2.
3.
4.
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s