Answer:
This implies that despite the socio-political emancipation, this was a period of KK klan rise in their criminal activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
A reactionary period is a period whereby there are still certain groups of people, who are still trying to stop the advancement in the socio-political system of their nation.
Hence, But despite increased free speech and "torches of liberty" and flappers and the Harlem Renaissance, the 1920s was in many ways a reactionary period in American history."
This because this was a period when the KK Klan was revived and continued to rise in its criminal activities towards people of color. The KK Klan is a white supremacist group. They function to limit the liberty and freedom of people of color.