The Red Scare: Fear, Communism, and Suppression in 1920s America

1. The Roaring Twenties The Jazz Age & The Age Of Corruption, 1919=1929 AP United States History Unit 7 A Reluctant Colossus, 1880-1939

2. The First Red Scare

3. Russian Revolution & Rise Of CommunismResults Of The Russian Revolution • The Communists (Reds) win the Revolution, murder the Russian czar and his family, and placed all private property under government control. • Scares conservatives and property owners throughout the world. Lenin pushes for a worldwide revolution, focusing on industrial workers. Lenin Giving A Speech http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/pic/540.jpg

4. Russian Revolution & Rise Of CommunismAppeal Of Communism • Social and economic equality. • Share in the means and profits of production. • Divided the possessions of the rich. • Highly centralized government meant to benefit society. Lenin Leading A Rally http://marxistdrivel.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/1917-russian-revolution.jpeg

5. Radical Activity In Post-World War I AmericaCentered Around Labor Unions • Communists appointed themselves as the “champions of workers.” • Many issues fought for by union leaders were similar to Communist goals. • When a strike broke out, people interpreted as a Communist-inspired conspiracy. Union Workers Striking In 1919 http://cdn.dipity.com/uploads/events/d84b0839bb99cc36428e16f8d2627283_1M.png

6. Radical Activity In Post-World War I America Terrorism Increases • Anarchists (those against all forms of government) attempt to kidnap, bomb, or murder many American leaders. • Included John D. Rockefeller, President Wilson, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. • Many believed that anarchists and their terrorist activities were connected to the Communists. Anarchy Symbol http://media.photobucket.com/image/anarchy%20symbol/word_g_money/punk/anarchy-symbol.jpg

7. Radical Activity In Post-World War I America Myths Increase To Scare Americans • Belief was that all radicals were either immigrants or illegal aliens. • The enemy becomes the lowly immigrant, especially those of Jewish, Russian, Italian, or Slavic heritage. Slovak Immigrants http://www.loc.gov/rr/european/imsk/images/slovakmother2.jpg

8. The Palmer RaidsOrigins • Many people wanted the radicals suppressed. • A witch-hunt begins to track down and arrest Communists and anarchists. • Enter A. Mitchell Palmer. • August 1919, begins to arrest people on suspicion of being Communist. • Focused efforts on union leaders and immigrants. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Alexander_Mitchell_Palmer.jpg/220px-Alexander_Mitchell_Palmer.jpg

9. The Palmer RaidsTreatment Of Suspects • Over 6,000 people arrested. • Many were not connected to the radicals, but still imprisoned. • Most had no communication with friends or families for weeks. • Visitors of prisoners were sometimes held as prisoners after visits. • Jammed into small, filthy cells, beaten, and forced to sign “confessions.” Palmer Raids Political Cartoon http://apushroaring20s.wikispaces.com/file/view/The_Palmer_Raids.jpg/131502707/The_Palmer_Raids.jpg

10. Strikes Of 1919Problems With Demobilization • Government cancels military contracts. • Industries begin to lay off workers. • 4.5 million soldiers were returning and needed jobs. • Women were forced to leave their jobs to be replaced by men. • Wartime shortages left prices high, but wages remained low. • Conversion to consumerism was slow and would not come until 1921. • Employees were tired of their treatment and wanted change. • 1,000 strikes between 1919 to 1923.

11. Red Scare in the 20’s • Red Scare: fear of communism coming into America • Communism: economic system where the government controls and owns all businesses and provides a basic standard of living (equality) for its citizens • Caused By: • Bolshevik Revolution: Communinst overthrow in Russia • Growth of Immigration: a lot immigrants coming from Eastern Europe, America fears that will bring communism in America

12. Red Scare in the 20’s • Fear of immigrants increases fear of: anarchy and overthrow of our government • Labor Unrest in America • During WWI: workers gained a lot of rights and more money • However after: the war, those rights were taken away • This leads to: strikes in America • America sees this as: a potential for communist rebellion

13. Red Scare in the 20’s • Examples of the Red Scare • Sacco and Vanzetti: Italian immigrants convicted of murder without any real evidence of their involvement- shows America’s fear of eastern European immigrants • Palmer Raids: the attorney general ordered the warrantless searches of over 10,000 Americans who were immigrants- led to 6,000 arrests. Evidence of a fear of Eastern European immigrants. • Gitlow v. New York: he had been passing out information regarding communism and been jailed- Supreme Court ruled that his freedom of speech could be limited in order to prevent a violent rebellion in the name of communism.

14. Economic Boom

15. Economic BoomImpact Of World War I • America emerges as an economic powerhouse. • Was physically untouched by the war, unlike their main competitors in Europe. • Both the Allies and Central powers owed the United States money. • Workers and soldiers were forced to save due to rationing. Leads to having money to invest in businesses and spend on new consumer goods. Munitions Factory During WWI http://www.picturehistory.com/images/products/0/7/6/prod_7631.jpg

16. Economic BoomIncreased Productivity & Profits • Business management becomes a science studied at universities. • Leads to more competent owners, managers, and workers. Howard Hughes http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/h/fotos/hughes.jpg

17. Economic BoomIncreased Productivity & Profits • Assembly line. • Created by Henry Ford for the automobile industry, would be adopted by other industries. • Ford’s ideal was to train workers to do one job that they could perform at a rapid pace all day. • Leads to lower costs, increased productivity, lower consumer prices, increased demand, and profits galore. Henry Ford, Ca. 1888 http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/a/a9/Henry_Ford_1888.jpg

18. Economic BoomIncreased Productivity & Profits • Energy technologies. • Increased use and efficiency of products utilizing oil and electricity. Early Electric Appliances http://tdacurr.treca.org/0203tdacourses/highschool/amerhist/images/LevelB/hordappliances.jpg

19. Economic BoomIncreased Productivity & Profits • Government policies. • Congress and the President are both Republican. • Believed that the “business of America is business.” • Traditionally laissez-faire economics domestically, protectionist internationally. • Most of the big money men in the first place. •  Favored the growth of big business. • Raised tariffs to protect American business. • Cut taxes on corporations and individuals. • Did little to enforce antitrust laws.

20. Rise Of Growth IndustriesDefined • A key industry whose rapid expansion contributes to the growth of other sectors of the economy. • In the 1920s, included automobiles, construction, real estate, appliances, electric power, telephone and radio companies, and chemicals. Early Telephone http://www.policensw.com/images/oldphone.jpg

21. Consumer GoodsDefined • Goods that people use in their daily lives and that can be a measure of standard of living. • Leads to an increase in demand for new goods, which in turn leads to increases in production, jobs, and profits. Old Consumer Radio http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/c/c8/250px-Old_radio.jpg

22. Impact Of The Economic BoomImpact • Real income rises 30%. • Unemployment fell to its lowest level in years. • Increased research in technology, energy, and chemicals. • Mass production lessens the value of skilled workers. • More people are investing. • A double-edged sword. • Good because more money is available for economic expansion. • Bad because people are looking to get rich quick, which leads to the practice of speculation (betting that a company or industry will do well in the immediate future). • People begin to borrow money from banks to play with on the stock market.

23. Economics in the 20’s • Easy Credit: credit allows people to make large purchases and pay it off over time- problem is that many Americans start living in debt • Banks: banks start lending out too much money. • Buying Stock on Margin: people borrow money to buy stock- they only pay for a portion of it, the rest of the money comes from banks. Another way that people accumulated debt in America

24. Economics in the 20’s • High Speculation of Stock: when people bought a lot of stock at once- belief that in order to make money on the stock market you had to risk a lot of money. Another way that people ended up in debt in America • Gross National Product: indicator of how much an economy is growing- it increased every year of the 20’s- one of things that made Americans comfortable with the debt that they had- believed that the economy was strong

25. Business Mergers IncreaseWhy??? • Allowed for more business mergers by relaxing antitrust enforcement. • Key example: the automobile industry. • 181 companies existed in 1903. By 1930, only 11 existed through mergers, buyouts, and bankruptcies. • The “Big Three” (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) produced over 85% of all vehicles. Henry Ford & His Model T http://www.ethanol360.com/hfd.jpg

26. Business Mergers IncreaseLong-Term Consequences Of Mergers • Reduced competition leads to an increase in prices. • Illegal practices increase, including collaboration and collusion. • With only a few companies controlling an industry, it makes it easier for the big companies to work together to set prices, incentives, and production levels to ensure the greatest profit. • Worker independence. • By 1929, over half of American wage earners were working for companies considered to be large (employing over 250 people).

27. Business Mergers IncreaseLittle Resistance To Business Practices • Consumers are happy with their new products and the large companies keep prices relatively reasonable. McCall’s Ad, 1928 http://static.flickr.com/106/261145751_e3e51bfe5c_o.jpg

28. Business Mergers IncreaseLittle Resistance To Business Practices • Justice Department was busy. • More worried about enforcing Prohibition. Abbott & Costello Meet the Keystone Cops http://www.mrrena.com/images/rock.jpg Prohibition Officers Disposing Of Illegal alcohol http://www.vintageperiods.com/_files/Image/5%20Prohibition%20Disposal(9).jpg

29. Business Mergers IncreaseLittle Resistance To Business Practices • Supreme Court & “the rule of reason.” • The question was not whether a merger resulted in the outlawed restraint of trade, but whether the Supreme Court thought the restraint was reasonable or unreasonable. • Will lead the Supreme Court to take little action against big business. • In the Age of Corruption, even Supreme Court judges could be bought. William Howard Taft, Chief Justice from 1921-30 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/William_Howard_Taft.jpg

30. Government in the 20’s • Warren G. Harding • Slogan: “Return to Normalcy”- go back to simplier times (implying a return to an era with less government involvement) • FordneyMcCumber Tariff: considered to be one of the largest tariffs in American history- some goods being taxed as much as 60% • Dawes Plan: America gives Germany money to pay back their loans to Britain and France; then Britain and France use that to pay back the U.S. The U.S. did this to avoid war between European countries

31. Government in the 20’s • Scandals under Harding • Ohio Gang: nickname form Harding’s cabinet- known for being corrupt • Teapot Dome Scandal: the biggest scandal in America behind Watergate. Secretary of the Interior, Albert Fall, was giving away government land (oil) in exchange for money. Made millions doing this. Ruin Harding’s image.

32. Government in the 20’s • Calvin Coolidge • Slogan: “Keep cool with Coolidge” • Famous Quote: “The chief business of America is business”- government needs to keep business private in America and not get involved • Lowers: restrictions on businesses • Gave businesses: money to expand and grow • Economic historians suggest: that had Coolidge continued watching over businesses and kept the restrictions in place, the Great Depression would not have so severe in America

33. Government in the 20’s • Prohibition • 18th Amendment: make the sale, consumption, and manufacturing of alcohol illegal • Illegal Activity BOOMS • Moonshine: illegal alcohol • Bootleggers: people that sell moonshine • Speakeasies: illegal bars that sell alcohol • Gangsters: organized crime rings that rise up selling associated with alcohol

34. Closing The Gates The Immigrant Experience (Or Lack Therof)

35. Closing The GatesEstablishment Of The Quota System • Growth of immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Mexico. • Leads to a widespread fear of competition for jobs. • Many of the new immigrant groups would bring radical views with them. • As a result of the strikes and the Red Scare, many Americans want to close the “Golden Gates” of America. • Law in 1921 set a 3% quota for each nationality in the country, with a specific exclusion for the Asian population. Establishing The Quota http://www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS/currentprojects/TAHv3/Images/immigration_act.jpg

36. Closing The GatesImmigration Act Of 1924 • Reduced the quota to 2% of the immigrant population, but based it on 1890 census. • Aimed specifically at Southern and Eastern Europeans, who did not begin to arrive in large numbers until after 1890. Impact Of The Quota System http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/European_immigration_to_the_United_States_1881-1940.png

37. Rebirth Of The Ku Klux Klan

38. Rebirth Of The Ku Klux KlanThe Klan By 1915 By 1915, directed its hostility against blacks, Catholics, Jews, foreigners, unions, women who wanted political rights, and suspected Communists. Wanted to uphold traditional Christian values, would gain support from people who were not members. Used modern advertising techniques to gain membership, rose from 15,000 in 1911 to over 5 million in 1921. KKK Rally In The ‘20s http://www.freewebs.com/svmike05/0kkk.jpg

39. Rebirth Of The Ku Klux KlanTactics Targeted anyone seen as “un-American.” Retained the traditional white hoods and cross burnings, but also used media outlets and legitimate politics to gain power. Politicians in Indiana and Texas needed to gain Klan support in order to be reelected. Punished their victims with whippings, tarrings, and lynchings. Klan March on Washington http://hisvorpal.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/kkk_1925.jpg

40. Rebirth Of The Ku Klux KlanDecline Tolerated by native-born Americans for a while. Upheld traditional values of America. Would drive out bootleggers, gamblers, and immigrants who threatened the American lifestyle. KKK Anti-Labor Day Rally http://extras.inyork.com/yorkblog/yorktownsquare/kkkX00250_9.jpeg

41. Rebirth Of The Ku Klux KlanDecline Would come under fire. National leadership could not control local chapters. 1923, Northern papers investigate the Klan, finding fraud and corruption. 1925, Indiana Grand Dragon David Stephenson convicted of murder. Grand Dragon Stephenson http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/20-century/Stephenson-KKK.jpg

42. Foreign Policy in the 20’s • Goal: Maintain the peace!! • Kellogg-Briand Pact: agreement made by the 15 countries the world- agree to make war illegal. No way to enforce this law WITHOUT going to war. • Washington Naval Conference: demilitarization treaty between 5 major world powers- successful

43. Changes for Women in the 20’s • Status: 1900: the role of women was to be pretty, raise children, to be proper and quiet. In the 1920’s that starts to be challenged- women start working outside of the home, women wearing more provocative clothing, etc. • The Flapper: the extreme image of the challenging of traditional female roles- cursing, short hair, smoking, sex with multiple, etc. • Margaret Sanger: “Mother of birth control” tries to give information to women about birth control • More work outside the home: due primarily to new technology that allows women to complete housework faster.