The year 1924 was a significant one, marking advancements and shifts across political landscapes, scientific understandings, cultural trends, and technological innovations globally. It was a year of rebuilding after World War I and nascent anxieties about the future.
Politics and International Relations:
January 21: Death of Vladimir Lenin:Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Russian Revolution and founder of the Soviet Union, died, triggering a power struggle within the Communist Party that would eventually lead to Joseph Stalin's rise.
January 25: I Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France: The first Winter Olympics were held, marking the formalization of winter sports on a global stage.
April 9: Dawes Plan: An international commission, chaired by Charles G. Dawes, finalized the Dawes Plan, designed to address Germany's inability to meet its World War I reparations obligations. The plan restructured German debt and provided for international loans to stabilize the German economy.
May 4 - July 27: VIII Summer Olympics held in Paris, France.
June 2: Indian Citizenship Act (United States): All Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the United States were granted U.S. citizenship. This Act was a significant step towards recognizing Native American rights but did not immediately address issues like voting rights, which were often restricted at the state level.
August 16: Reichstag Elections in Germany: The German elections reflected a fragmented political landscape with gains for both extremist parties like the Nazis and Communists.
October 1: Geneva Protocol: Signed at the League of Nations, this protocol aimed to ban the use of chemical and bacteriological weapons in warfare. Though initially signed by many nations, its ratification was delayed or conditional for various reasons.
November 4: U.S. Presidential Election: Calvin Coolidge won the United States presidential election, defeating John W. Davis and Robert M. La Follette. This solidified the Republican Party's hold on the White House during a period of relative prosperity.
Science and Technology:
Arthur Eddington's work on stellar structure: Arthur Eddington published significant work on the internal constitution of stars, furthering understanding of stellar energy generation and evolution.
Development of the Audiometer: While variations existed earlier, 1924 saw refinements in audiometry, improving the accuracy of hearing tests.
Culture:
André Breton's Manifesto of Surrealism: While written earlier, the impact of André Breton's Manifesto of Surrealism was increasingly felt, influencing art, literature, and film. Surrealism explored the realm of dreams and the subconscious mind.
Literature: Notable literary works published this year include E.M. Forster's A Passage to India and Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain.
Film: Buster Keaton's Sherlock Jr. was released, demonstrating the innovation and creativity flourishing in silent film.
Events Relevant to the United States:
Teapot Dome Scandal: The United States continued to grapple with the fallout from the Teapot Dome Scandal, a major bribery incident involving oil leases and government officials during the Harding administration. Investigations and trials were ongoing.
Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed Act): A highly restrictive immigration law that severely limited immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and banned immigration from Asia. It significantly impacted the demographics of the United States.
Rise of the Ku Klux Klan: The United States experienced a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, reflecting racial and social tensions within the country.
1924 was a year of significant political maneuvering, nascent scientific discoveries, evolving cultural movements, and advancements in technology, marking it as an important juncture in the 20th century.