3. What did'Americans care about during the 1920s? How did this impact the government's response to happenings in Europe? __

mericans in the 1920s were largely preoccupied with domestic issues and a burgeoning sense of prosperity and social change. Several key themes dominated their concerns:* **Economic Prosperity and Consumerism:** The decade saw a significant economic boom, driven by mass production and new technologies like automobiles and radios. This led to a rise in consumerism and a focus on material goods and leisure activities. People were more concerned with enjoying their newfound wealth than with international affairs.* **Social Change and Cultural Conflicts:** The 1920s was a period of rapid social change, marked by the rise of jazz music, flapper culture, and challenges to traditional morality. This created cultural tensions between those embracing the new ways and those clinging to traditional values. These internal conflicts absorbed much of the nation's attention.* **Isolationism and Disillusionment after WWI:** After the devastating experience of World War I, a strong sentiment of isolationism emerged in the United States. Many Americans felt that the war had been a mistake and wanted to avoid further entanglement in European affairs. This sentiment was fueled by a disillusionment with the outcomes of the war and a desire to focus on domestic issues.* **Nativism and Immigration Restriction:** The 1920s saw a rise in nativism and anti-immigrant sentiment. This led to the passage of restrictive immigration laws aimed at limiting the influx of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe. Concerns about the impact of immigration on American society further diverted attention from international events.These domestic concerns significantly impacted the government's response to happenings in Europe. The prevailing isolationist sentiment made the government reluctant to intervene in European affairs. This is evident in:* **Rejection of the League of Nations:** The U.S. Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and join the League of Nations, a key international organization aimed at preventing future wars. This reflected the desire to avoid international commitments.* **Limited Engagement in International Diplomacy:** The U.S. government generally adopted a policy of non-intervention in European affairs, preferring to focus on domestic issues. While the U.S. participated in some international conferences, its involvement was limited.* **Focus on Economic Policies:** The government prioritized economic policies aimed at promoting domestic prosperity, such as tax cuts and deregulation. This further reinforced the inward-looking focus of the decade.In essence, the American public's preoccupation with domestic prosperity, social change, and a desire to avoid foreign entanglements led to a government policy of isolationism and limited engagement with European affairs during the 1920s.