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Chapter 25
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Modern KKK Born
William J. Simmons founded the modern Klan. Membership grew rapidly after WWI. The modern terrorist group attacked aliens and immigrants, not just African Americans. It also entered state politics and had 5 million members by the mid 1920s -
18th Amendment Passed
Congress passes the amendment to prohibit the manufacture and sale of alchohol. Led to the Prohibition. Eventually repealed in 1933 with the 21st Amendment -
"River Rogue" Construction Begins
Henry Ford begins to construct a plant in Detroit, Michigan. It later had 43,000 machines and constructed the Model A -
"Soviet Ark" Departs For Russia
America deported 249 alien to Russia on the "Buford" ship. Almost all of them were innocent. -
Execution of Sacco and Vanzetti
Sacco and Vanzetti, two Italian immigrats, are executed in the electric chair. They were arrested for payroll robbery and murder, but were condemned more for their ideas than for evidence of criminal conduct -
Election of 1920
Republican Warren Harding becomes president with one of the largest percentages of the popular vote in the history of US presidential elections. His campaign was "a return to normalcy" -
Farm Prices Fall
Agriculture had expanded rapidly to supply Eupore and the nation during WWI. After the war, exports were cut back and prices fell sharply. Farm exports fell by $2 billion by 1921 -
Sheppard-Towner Act
Law that provided for federal aid to establish state programs for maternal and infant health care. Created by social feminists -
Time Magazine
Henry Luce starts publishing the world renowned Time magazine -
President Harding Dies
Warren Harding dies of a heart attack. Vice president Calvin Coolidge becomes president. He is reassuring to the nation after the scandals of the previous administration -
American Mercury Founded
American literary critic H. L. Mecken founded the "American Mercury" magazine. Mecken, a huge cynic, liked to mock aspects of American society like the KKK and Socialism. He also disliked Jews. -
Teapot Dome Scandal
Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall accepted bribes to lease government-owned oil lands in Wyoming and California to oil businessmen. Fall is fired and spends a year in prison -
Equal Rights Amendment Introduced
Alice Paul, part of the National Woman's Party, introduced this amendment to Congress. It said that, "Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction." The act was opposed by other women's organizations and never passed -
National Origins Quota Act
Limited European immigration to 150,000 a year (mostly those from Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Scandanavia). Also banned all Asian immigrants. -
Scopes Trial
High school teacher John Scopes is accused of teaching the theory of evolution in violation of Tennessee law. He is defended by Darrow but is still found guilty and fined $100 -
Ederle Swims the English Channel
Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Her actions were applauded by many thrill-loving Americans -
Lindbergh Flies Across Atlantic
Charles Lindbergh was the first person to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean. His feat was applauded by thrill-loving Americans -
Babe Ruth Hits 60 Homeruns
Baseball player Babe Ruth becomes a nation symbol after he hits 60 homeruns. Baseball attendance grows rapidly -
1928 Presidential Election
Republican nominee Herbert Hoover beats Democrat Al Smith 444 electoral votes to 87. -
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is completed in New York City. With 102 stories, it became the tallest building in the world