1921 marked a pivotal year in the aftermath of World War I, characterized by efforts towards international peace, domestic adjustments in the United States, and advancements in various fields.
Political Events
January 15: Trials begin for defendants accused in the Wall Street bombing of 1920. Although numerous suspects were investigated, no one was ever convicted. This event highlighted the era's anxieties regarding anarchism and radical political movements.
March 4: Warren G. Harding is inaugurated as the 29th President of the United States. Harding's "Return to Normalcy" campaign resonated with a nation weary of war and social upheaval. His administration was soon plagued by scandal, but his election itself marked a significant shift in American political sentiment.
May 19: The Emergency Quota Act, also known as the Immigration Act of 1921, is passed in the United States. This law significantly restricted immigration, setting quotas based on nationality. It heavily favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, reflecting nativist sentiments and anxieties about social and economic stability.
August 25: The Treaty of Berlin is signed between the United States and Germany, formally ending the state of war between the two countries after the World War I. The United States had refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles.
November 12 – February 6, 1922: The Washington Naval Conference, hosted by the United States, begins. Major world powers gather to discuss naval disarmament and address rising tensions in the Pacific. The resulting Washington Naval Treaty aimed to prevent a post-World War I naval arms race.
Foundation of the Communist Party of China: A significant development in global politics. The formation of the CPC laid the groundwork for the future transformation of China.
Scientific and Technological Events
Insulin Isolated: Frederick Banting and Charles Best successfully isolate insulin at the University of Toronto, Canada. This breakthrough offered hope for the treatment of diabetes, a previously debilitating and often fatal disease. This represented a huge leap in medical science.
Calcium's role in muscle contraction identified: Physiologist A.V. Hill and biophysicist Otto Meyerhof independently discover the link between muscle contraction and the breakdown of glycogen and the dispersal of lactic acid within muscles. They shared the 1922 Nobel prize for their discoveries.
Cultural Events
Publication of The Sheik by E.M. Hull: The novel becomes a massive bestseller, fueling popular fascination with exotic cultures and romanticized visions of the Middle East. Its popularity also contributed to certain stereotypes about Arab culture.
The rise of Jazz:Jazz music continues to gain popularity in the United States, particularly among younger generations. It becomes a symbol of the Roaring Twenties and its associated social changes.
Other Significant Events
Irish War of Independence: The Irish War of Independence continues, leading to negotiations and eventually the Anglo-Irish Treaty later in the year. This conflict and its resolution reshaped the political landscape of Ireland and the United Kingdom.